July 1, 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This month has been one of blessings. I’m sure that this is true for each month, but sometimes it is more obvious than others. Last Sunday, we had our first baptism. Several unsaved people that were invited came. This gave us the opportunity to communicate the gospel to them as well to teach about baptism. Joachim, who was baptized, had asked to give a few words of testimony. He did an excellent job telling about how the Lord had worked in his life after the salvation of his wife, Angela, and through the witness of her life. He also explained how the fear of surrendering to the Lord, which had held him back, was replaced by joy when he received Christ as Lord of his life.

Judy, Amanda and Angela are working hard to prepare for Summer Bible Club which is to take place next week. About a dozen children should be coming, brought by their parents. Judy, Amanda and Angela have invited the mothers to stay. This will give them the opportunity to witness to the mothers as well as their children. The task of preparing for the club has been quite a joy. It had also been a time of cataloging and organizing the large amount of craft materials sent to us by the ladies of Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Last month I mentioned the decision of Tonja, our neighbor from across the street, to not return to France from Germany. We have prayed that God would use the events in this family to draw them to Christ. Last Saturday, Raphael, her husband, told us that he was going to Hamburg to see Tonja and the children for two weeks. He then asked if he could take the German Bible to her that they used in services. When Judy mentioned this to Angela (who is also German) she said that she was baptized in a Baptist church in Hamburg. We had thought that she had heard the gospel and been baptized in Hanover. This week one of the Baptist leaders in Germany came through this area and she asked him about finding a church that we could recommend to Tonja and that would follow up with her. Perhaps, as in the case with Onesimus, this departure will lead to Tonja’s salvation.

The week after next we will have the first of three opportunities to witness at scout camps. The locations for there are about 4 hours from here. The Lord willing we will be doing these on July 13, 19 and 22. These are three different camps and should touch the lives of about 80 children and 20 adult leaders. We would like to see this as one of the first steps leading to the establishment of a church, or churches, in this central part of France where there are not churches proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The new Bible study that we began last month in the city of Mazere is going well. We had already had four people besides us attend. Douceline, the young lady in whose apartment we are holding the Bible studies, called yesterday and said that two more people were planning on coming to the next one. This Bible study is in a city about one hour by car from our home.

Thanks for your participation in the work of the Lord here. Keep up the good work where you are. May God’s richest blessings be evident to you.

Rejoicing in the Lord,

John and Judy Hatcher