March 1, 2006

Dear Fellow laborers,

In just a couple of days, Judy and I will celebrate 33 years of marriage. I am unable to express my gratitude to the Lord for having given to me such a wonderful wife. It just doesn’t seem possible that time has passed so quickly. And the passing of time is something quite scary for those who have no hope. Yesterday, I was chatting with our neighbor across the street (in freezing weather) on their front porch while he smoked a cigarette. I had stopped by to ask him something and he asked me to stay a while and talk. He began talking about his aging parents (both 90 years old) and finished by saying, “Getting old really scares me.” He needs Christ; as do the others that live around us.

The Bible study that we began last month with our Brazilian neighbor is going well. We have also had the privilege of starting another Bible study with a couple of believing ladies who are married to unbelievers. They come during their lunch break on Tuesdays. This is an answer to prayer and an opportunity to help them grow in the Lord. One of these ladies just began coming recently to Sunday morning services and her unsaved husband and son come with her and are very attentive.

We have mentioned before that our primary way of contacting people is to pray and ask God to give us contact with people with whom we can share the Good News of Jesus Christ. God regularly answers these prayers and we are grateful for every opportunity. Judy recently met a lady face to face that she has been writing for some time. Ruth Rossman, the daughter of Pastor Louis Maple, has been a good encourager to us during our ministry in France. Her interest in France caused her to become a pen pal with several French ladies. One of these ladies, Agnes, lives in Burgundy (about eight hours by car from us). In her correspondence, Ruth mentioned to Agnes the fact that she had a friend who lived in France. Agnes became interested in writing Judy and they began corresponding about a year ago. God, in His providence, stationed Agnes’ daughter, who is in the army, in a town about 50 miles from us. Judy let Agnes know that she would like to meet her if she was ever down to meet her daughter. Eh, voila, it took place last week. Judy spent a couple hours visiting with Agnes and even got to touch on spiritual matters. Our prayer is that this will eventually lead to Agnes being saved and the penetration of the gospel in an area of France that very greatly needs the light of the gospel.

Isn’t it wonderful how God works? You can also pray for God to give you contacts where you are even as you help us reach the contacts that God gives us here. Thanks for your help and support.

In France to give hope in Christ,

John and Judy Hatcher

Children in Bible Club, Tournefeuille, France.