February 2, 2007

Dear Team,

Greetings from the Southern France contingency of your team; our team; God’s team. OK, so, I saw some advertisements for the Super Bowl and got a little crazy. We are, indeed, a team. This is a very important fact we all should remember. You are as valuable as we are. So, if you are feeling a little gray and shut in by the winter weather, remember that in a number of places in the world the gospel is being preached, disciples are being made, and churches are being put together because you are faithful.

Before communicating other news, I would like to mention that Judy just recently had her annual check up and it showed no cancer. She has now been cancer free for six years. The life partner that God gave me has been such a blessing. She is a major part of the work that the Lord has given us to do here.

God, however, uses our weaknesses and our earthly disappointments to enable us to be better “light bearers” to those around us. Our difficulties enable us to show others that there is still hope even when things in our earthly lives are not “peachy keen”. About three weeks ago, Mireille, the lady who lives across the street was putting things in their car and told me that they were getting ready to go to her husband’s hometown because his father had died suddenly. Death is a horrible end for those who have no hope. This has opened further the door for us to talk to Jean-Luc and his wife. He is terrified of dying. Their oldest son is a disappointment. Jean-Luc is an undercover agent and sees a lot of the dark side of France. He has no hope. We have the message of hope and pray that God will open their eyes and use us as He sees fit in the process.

Recently, I saw a blurb on a book concerning religion in France that has been recently published by a respected French publisher. According to this study, less than half of French people in France claim to be Catholic and only half of those who claim to be Catholic believe in God! France is filled with people who have no hope. That is why we are here. A year and a half ago a couple with two children moved into our neighborhood. As soon as we met them we began praying for them. This is our custom. A couple of weeks ago as I was getting money out of the ATM to pay bills, this neighbor scared me by pretending to hold me up. He then began venting his anger at the local priest who refused to catechize his son. They wanted their son to be catechized before he had “first communion” and the priest informed him that it was their responsibility. A two hour discussion followed about spiritual things. Every time I thought I was making headway, he took off in some wild direction. Only God can open his eyes, but He placed us here to bear the light. What a privilege. And, your faithfulness enables us to keep the light shining here.

But, God has enabled us to have an influence that is larger than just in our neighborhood. This is a result of Bible studies and activities in other places. We are now on our fourth week of Bible Studies in Portugal; Porto, to be exact. Looking at a map of Europe, you will soon see that it is a long way from Toulouse to Porto. As a matter of fact, when all goes well, it takes about thirteen hours of driving. So, how can we do it every week? We do it “live” over the Internet. When the girlfriend of our Brazilian neighbors’ son was here visiting she became very interested in the Bible studies that we have with this family and asked if we could do one over the Internet. So, we have this Bible Study every Sunday afternoon with computer, headphones, and microphone over the Internet. This young lady is very interested but lost. However, the Spirit of God has convinced her that the Truth is important and she is really paying attention.

Most of the folks who came to services and Bible studies the first two or three years we were here, no longer come. Most of them have moved to other countries. Some have just dropped out. However, some have continued, new ones have started and God has now given us a core of folks who are committed for the long term. They are growing in the Lord and interested in reaching their friends. Joachim and Angela, the German couple that we have mentioned in earlier letters, are growing and serving diligently. When we first met them they planned to move back to Germany by the time their children were in elementary school. Nevertheless, God has changed their mind. They have learned French very well and they are now both teaching Sunday school. In fact, Joachim has accepted the responsibility of leading and teaching in the Sunday service one time next month. We are very encouraged by this. We are also encouraged by the regular attendance of some unsaved folks at services and Bible studies.

So, don’t drop the ball and pray for us to not drop it either. We are not just in a game. This has eternal value. Thanks for all your help and may God bless you greatly.

Your team mates in Southern France,

John and Judy Hatcher