August 30, 2008

Dear Friends,

Here in Brazil, as in the United States, election campaigning is in full swing, or should I say, full sound. Our election is for mayors and city councilmen all over the country. The principal method of campaigning is the use of loudspeakers mounted on cars and pickups. In a town of sixty thousand inhabitants over one-hundred-fifty vehicles were registered. Believe me, that many cars with loudspeakers on full sound can make a real impression. In 1955, I arrived in Belem, at the mouth of the Amazon River, by ship at the time of elections. There were only about fifteen cars in the city and everyone had loudspeakers - I thought I had arrived in the crazy house of the world. We are still here after fifty-three years and the elections are still happening, praise the Lord, but they are louder than ever.

WORK IN ASSAI VERY SLOW AND DIFFICULT: This month past there were two Sundays where only one person attended, a nine-year-old girl named Amanda. I told the story of the Crucifixion (just as I heard it at nine-years-old and was saved). Amanda trusted Jesus as her Savior. She is one of the most beautiful and intelligent girls you can imagine. The next Sunday morning when we arrived, Amanda was waiting for us and filled with joy. Pray for Assai, and Amanda.

HARVEST TIME IN OUR PART OF BRAZIL: Never in all our years here have the fields been more beautiful with God's blessings on the crops of wheat, corn, and oats. Combines are harvesting a great abundance. On our way to the town of Sao Sebastian Amoreira you can see about forty miles in every direction the yellow fields being harvested. The greatest need is for laborers to work in the fields for the harvest of sinners.

There are six or eight towns within a fifty-mile radius of our city Urai that have no Baptist church and Alta and I are going to one or two of these cities each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays as the Lord leads and physical abilities permit. We have been to the city of Sao Sebastian Amoreira three weeks and God has surely blessed.

Alta cannot walk much anymore, so I park the car in the shade and she stays in the car and gives tracts or talks to persons as they pass. I take a folder of literature and gospels and go down the street and try to preach the Gospel to all I pass, whether in homes or the street. The first week in Amoreira, I evangelized to an old man with his son (also, old), a man and wife, and two ladies at their houses where they were washing clothes. Next, I came to a little store and bar where there thirteen men sitting and drinking. I asked the owner for permission to give a short message and he agreed. I passed out a visual of the three crosses to each one there. All of them stopped talking and listened with attention. Two of the young men listened with attention. I thanked them for listening and thanked the owner for his kindness.

ALTA'S BIBLE STUDY: Meanwhile, Alta got out of the car and spoke to a woman who was sweeping at the back of her house. She invited Alta to come in. Another young lady arrived at the same moment. She had come for a Bible Study with the lady of the house. They asked Alta to pray and when they heard her pray they asked her to teach the Bible study. They invited Alta to teach the Bible Study every Thursday.

YOUNG MAN SAVED: As we were leaving I recognized a young man who was very attentive at the bar. He spoke and went into a house close by. The next Thursday the ladies were waiting for Alta and I took my material and started down the street. First I saw a lady washing the driveway where the boy had gone in. I asked if a young man lived there and it was the lady's son, named Icaro (pronounced EE' - car - oh). I asked to talk to him and she took me to his room. He was awake but not up yet. He arranged himself at the head of the bed and I sat at the foot. He had saved the visual of the three crosses from the bar and our conversation lasted one hour and a half. After a few minutes he got up, went and got a Bible, and sat at my side on the edge of the bed. God had been working in his heart and after hearing again the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus he trusted Christ with tears running down both sides of his face. We rejoiced together and prayed. I did not have time to talk with the family, but if I live, next Thursday Alta and I will be there again.

NEEDY PEOPLE: In the same town I went to the gate of an old man's house. He was sitting in the backyard. The old man was eighty-nine years old and without hope. I said, "Old age and the end brings a lot of fears, does it not?" "It sure does," was the reply. I told him the story of the fear and horror that Jesus felt as He died for sinners, but I explained that He suffered that we who believe might be saved from the eternal horror. The old man's face changed as if to say, "I needed to hear what you told me." Next week I will try to see him again. Pray for the old man and me!

GOD DOES NOT HEAR: At another house a middle-aged man was sharpening a pruning saw. He came tot he gate and I offered him a visual of the three crosses. "No, I do not want it. I cried out to God in my problem and He did not answer. If He exists, He is not interested in me." I replied, "Did you know that Jesus passed through the same experience that you have? He was tempted in all ways so that He could help us. On the cross, Jesus cried, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" The man dropped the saw and file to his side, his face took on a look of hope, and he stepped closer to the gate. I explained that Jesus suffered all we suffer, and He can help us in time of need. Next week I hope to see this man again. Pray God will open his eyes. People do need the Lord.

If you, dear friend, fear and feel that God has forgotten you, Jesus can help. Remember, even in such moments, God is Holy. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy..." Psalm 22:1-3. Also, "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;" Hebrews 5:7-8.

Thank you for helping us take the message of hope to those who have none.

John and Alta Hatcher