Dear Friends,

We would like to share with you the blessings of this past month. Time passes fast and it seems impossible that this month we complete fifty-one years as missionaries in Brazil.

Two weeks ago we attended a seminar on the Second Coming of Jesus in Marilia along with the students of our seminaries. Brother Mike Creiglow from Cruzeiro do Sul taught the book of the Revelation. There were many from thirteen other churches of our mission in the State of Sao Paulo. This occasion was the incentive of pastor Gilberto Stefano of the church in Marilia. It was concluded with a special all day meeting with people from all the churches from the States of Parana and Sao Paulo. Needless to say there was good preaching and good food.

The special event on that day was the ordination of Marcio Moraes to the Gospel Ministry. Marcio has been the pastor of the Congregation in Urai since July of 2005. Marcio and his wife, Carol, are from the works we started in Duartina and Garça thirty years ago. They are very godly and their first child is eight months old. The ordination was wonderful, with 450 persons present.

Marcio, Carol, and Gabriel Moraes

ALTA - EIGHTY-ONE GREAT YEARS The following week was Alta's birthday! On September 14, she caught up; now we are the same age. Our people at church had a little party for her after service on Wednesday evening. On Thursday we traveled to São Jose dos Campos on our way to Caraguatatuba where Alta was to speak at a women's retreat at the invitation of Barbara Hensley. Helena and her son, Timothy, met us at the airport in Sao Paulo and took us to their home in Sao Jose dos Campos. That evening she had a surprise party for Alta and invited Tom and Dianna Turley and daughter, Charity, and our grandson Zinho and Carrie, his wife. With them were their two children, Jadyn and Mordecai, our great grandson. It was our first time to see him. Zinho preaches on Sunday mornings to an English speaking group of their church. During the week he teaches English in a language school and also works as translator in preparing materials for "Walk Through the Bibles Ministries." It was a Happy Birthday Surprise.

On September 15, we arrived at missionaries's A. J. and Barbara Hensley's home. Alta went to the Ladies Retreat with Barbara and spoke during the three days. On Sunday I spoke at both morning and evening evening services at New Life Baptist Church where A. J. and Barbara are doing a great work. Epitacio Barros is the pastor. We hope everyone enjoyed our visit; we sure enjoyed being there.

NEW MISSION IN ASSAI: Sunday, October 1, 2006 will complete two months since our opening service in the city of Assai. The name Assai means "rising sun" in Japanese; Urai, where we live, signifies "setting sun". Both cities have a large Japanese population. We have rented a large building on the main street. It will seat about 200 people.

New works are difficult with much opposition from existing religions. In Duartina the story was that we were going to hang a man from the rafters on the day we dedicated the new building. In Galia they told the children that we were taking blood from everyone that went in. In Garça the priest told mothers we were kidnappers of children. The enemy has not changed.

The second week of services in Assai two ten year old boys, David and Leandro, came in and listened as I told them about Jesus. David trusted the Lord and manifested his joy. The next week they ran from us as if we were wild beasts. Their parents had forbid them to come.

There were forty-two present at the initial service, twenty-two from Urai. The twenty from Assai were all Pentecostal or Methodists. Since that first service we have had from zero to seven present. When Jesus said the "gates of Hell shall not prevail against His church" the enemy opened those gates and sent the demons to fill the mouths of false teachers and preachers: "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11. 13-15) Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. (2 Corinthians 1: 11)

Idolatry and Pentecostal teachers dominate the scene. The battle promises to be hard and long; but, the battle is the Lord's and victory will come; praise His Holy Name.

Thank you for your prayers and financial help that lighten the load and made our work possible. Please read our article about the house purchased for Sussumo mission.

God bless you; brothers and sisters in Christ, we love you.

John and Alta Hatcher