March 1, 2002

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We rejoice and hope that you will, as well, as you read about some of the things God has been doing here during the past month. 

Since our last letter the Lord has enabled us to start two additional weekly Bible studies. The first takes place right here in our home on Saturdays. A friend of a friend called and asked if Judy would be willing to tutor a French boy who was struggling in English class. The mother of the boy works as a caterer at the plant where this English gentlemen works and had enquired about someone who could help her with this dilemma. Since we can not work for pay, Judy suggested that I tutor the boy and let Yolanda, the mother, "pay" for this help by conversing in French with Judy. For a couple of months Guillaume and his mother have been coming to our home on Saturdays for this exchange. Meanwhile we have prayed regularly that the Lord would open the door for Judy to be able to share the gospel clearly with Yolanda.

Four weeks ago as they were talking, Yolanda asked what I did during the week. In listing the various activities, Judy mentioned that I prepared for and led Bible studies. Yolanda said that she knew nothing about the Bible. About this time Guillaume had reached his English tolerance limit for the day and when I came into the room Judy drew me into the conversation. We gave a brief summary of the gospel and then I ask if she had ever read the Bible. She quickly said, "No, but we can start doing that together each week and discuss it." Now, how is that for divine intervention? This has been going along splendidly. Yolanda has been asking questions and Judy has been answering as they read through the Gospel of Mark. 

Another opportunity came through Ruth Phillips who attends our Thursday Bible study. Having found out that I was to preach at the International Church on February 3, she came and invited a friend named Amelia. She had asked us to pray for this friend sometime back. When we arrived at the International Church someone who had just met Amelia introduced us to her. She had arrived before her friend Ruth who attends the Bible study in our home. After service, Amelia confided that her life was a mess and that she felt that she needed God. She asked where we usually went to church so we invited go with us the following Sunday. She has now come two Sundays and plans to keep attending. Better yet, we have started a Bible study in her home in the town of Leguevin on Wednesday evenings and she is inviting her friends. We have been able to clearly give the Gospel to her. 

I'll share just one more incident of several that have encouraged us in the last few weeks. This morning as I was working on the car, our new neighbor came over to introduce himself. We greet each other when we see each other, but we had not had the opportunity to get acquainted. As he came nearer, he said, "Aren't you a pastor?" When I answered, "Yes," he said, "That's what the neighbors told us and we are Christians too." He then shared how his father was an atheist who had abandoned the Catholic Church and he had considered himself to be an atheist. A friend who was a Christian where they used to live would invite him to church from time to time and he always turned him down. Then for a special Christmas service he went and the Lord broke his heart and he trusted Christ. He said, "It's wonderful, it's being born again!" He is a policeman with the national police force and has been transferred twice since he was saved about 5 years ago. Where they lived previously was 60 miles from a church. We are encouraged by what God has done in their life and by the fact that the word gets around the neighborhood of why we are here. John Warren, next time you're over here you can get your picture taken with a saved French policeman!

Thanks for taking the time to read about how God is working here in France as He blesses your faithfulness there and our presence here. We praise God for your prayers and commitment to our support. We want to give a special thanks to the Young People from the Sunday School of Lake Road Baptist Church of Clio, Michigan for their special offering. 

Rejoicing in the Lord,

John and Judy Hatcher