July 29, 2008

Dear Fellow laborers,

I began this letter three weeks ago with the intention of it being in the last Mission Sheets and then forgot to finish it and send it in. After a couple of slow months things have suddenly picked up. Of course, when we think things are going slow God is still working behind the scenes.

Here is an illustration of how God works. A little while earlier today I cycled to the store to get a few items Judy needed for dinner. As I was checking out, the man behind me initiated a conversation by mentioning that I was buying food for the body and he was buying food for the mind (computer discs). He then said, “Man does not live by bread alone.” I told him I was a pastor and he informed me that he was a retired teacher. He asked me what kind of pastor I was. When I told him Baptist, he requested my address and invited me to his house, adding… “At least you can take home some tomatoes.” We regularly ask God to help us meet people to whom He wants us to witness.

Alain and Line are a couple who to come to our Bible study in Mazere. They recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and invited their friends and extended family. As a part of this, we had a service which gave us the opportunity to proclaim the gospel. We also gave the Good News to those who were present in written form.

Saturday, two people were baptized, a lady who is 27 years of age and a young man who is 19 years old. Both are leaving us within the next month. The young man is going to college and the lady is moving with her husband, who is continuing engineering school. God has work for them to do elsewhere. The baptismal service was an excellent opportunity to preach the gospel to the friends of the baptismal candidates. And, that opportunity was continued the next morning when a number of these came to Sunday service and had a number of questions.

Saturday night (following the baptism) we were invited to have dinner with our neighbors across the street, along with two other neighbor couples. The host family to whom we have been able to give the Good News many times started asking questions and we were able to share the Gospel at length and in detail including answering many questions. Everyone at the table seemed to be very interested. I would like to share other similar encounters that God has given to us in the last few days, but I must conclude this letter. We anticipate what God will do next in the lives of these individuals and others around us.

The surgeon who performed my surgery said that all is in good shape and that I can do anything I want to do. I am grateful for the good recovery as well as the medical care that God has made available. Your giving also helps pay for medical insurance that covers a good portion of these expenses. So, don’t forget the general fund out of which this insurance, our salary, and some of our running expenses are paid. We thank God daily for the churches and individuals that give regularly year in and year out.

Philip and Amanda are in the US for a few weeks to visit Amanda’s family. We are so thankful that God called them to work together with us. We are also thankful for the other leaders that God has raised up.

Serving in France,
John and Judy Hatcher