September 1, 2007

Dear Friends,

After fifty-two years in Brazil, my life had a dramatic change. On the 28th of June, after classes in the Seminary, I came home and was beginning to grade tests. Then it happened: I suffered a stroke and everything was mixed in my mind. A friend measured my blood pressure and it was high. First time it was measured in about forty years. We called Kathy in Garca and she came down for five days. She was a great help and encouragement. Michele, Paul and Wanda's daughter, is finishing Med School in Marilia and she stayed with us in our visit to the doctor and helped us get the exams and tests. Thank you, Michele. Paul came from Manaus and was with us a week. He drove us to Marilia for me to see Doctor Fabio, a heart specialist. He ordered all of the tests and exams of blood and heart. Praise the Lord, all the results were the best possible. There was no cholesterol, diabetes, or other problem in the blood. My heart was perfect. God is great and good.

The doctor prescribed the same medicine that my friend had given, except in smaller doses and two times a day. First change: after eighty-two years of never being sick or taking medicine, I find myself subject to pills every day and regularly measuring my blood pressure.

A few days after Paul returned to Manaus, David came to spend about a week with us. We thank Wanda and Pennie for lending their husbands for a few days to give us the much needed help. While David was here we returned to Marilia for the check-up Dr. Fabio had marked. After the examination he said for me to come back in January. We called the doctor the "beloved physician" as Paul called Luke. He was kind and generous. He would not take any fee and gave us a lot of free medicine. I wrote him an e-mail to express our gratitude and he answered in the kindest words.

Our children have been most supporting and encouraging. They call often to see how we are and their calls are my best medicine.

The effect of the stroke. Evidently, it hit the part of the brain that affects the emotions. I have good hours and hours of temptation and some days are better than others.

What I am learning. More than anything, I am understanding the suffering of Jesus in His death for me as a sinner. He was tempted in all things and did not sin. Thus, He was able to die for me and is able to help me in what I suffer facing death and the difficult moments. What I suffer He suffered and overcame.

What we are doing. Some things had to be changed. We had to quit spending the weekend in Assai and went from three services on Saturday and Sunday to one service on Sunday morning. We go and come back on Sunday morning. The first three or four weeks we took a taxi, one week Pastor Valdir took us, and now I drive. Some weeks we go on Friday to clean the building or to visit the sick. Hopefully, we will be able to buy or build a permanent building in Assai before our work ends.

The greatest horror I have is when I think of my friends here and the people who are facing the end of life and do not have Jesus Christ as Savior. Pray for us that we may witness to them every day.

In the Name of Jesus,

John and Alta Hatcher