September 4, 2004

Dear Co-Laborers,

As we begin the month of September we are thankful for all of the Lord’s blessings and mercy displayed during the past month. The Bible studies have gone well in addition to the Sunday services. Your prayers and faithful support encourage us and have a real impact on the advancement of God’s Kingdom in this country with great spiritual needs.

During the past month we have had the opportunity to spend quality time with several families who are not yet believers. Some of these express that we are their closest friends. We are praying that our witness to them will help them come to know Christ, the Friend who is “closer than a brother”. Perhaps, you could stop your reading for just a moment to pray for Pascal, Benedicte and Mathilde; Raphael, Tonia and their three children; Shantha and Nathalie. These show an interest, but have not yet professed faith Christ as Savior. Pray also that those who are believers will be good witnesses to their families and friends.

On July 28, our son David was married to Dulce in Garça, Brazil. This is where the Alpha Omega Home is located. David met Dulce while spending some time helping in the home several years ago. Dulce and her family were workers in the home. We had the privilege of making a very quick trip to Brazil for the wedding. This also gave us the opportunity to visit with my parents, Kathy and Odali Barros (my sister and brother-in-law), in addition to many friends we had not seen in many years. We are thankful that the Lord provided the finances for us to make this trip and for the faithful service (as usual) of Philip and Amanda Hatcher here while we were gone.

During the nine days that we were in Brazil, it was a great blessing to see what God has done and continues to do. Having grown up in Brazil and being aware of how closed most of the people in this country were to the gospel just a few decades ago, makes the progress of the Gospel even more amazing. This encourages us concerning France which has by far fewer believers than Brazil had 50 years ago. The faithful work of missionaries during those early years and the faithful support of believers like you planted the seed that has resulted in the growing churches in Brazil today. Many of these churches are themselves very active in the spread of the Gospel. May God help us to continue to be faithful as we plant in needy areas today. I enjoyed the blessing of speaking on the radio and in services while in Brazil.

In closing, we want to express our gratitude for the unsung helpers in this service, especially David Parks, George Sledd, Jim and Irene Orrick, and Michael Holmes who are such an important part this ministry. We are grateful to have you as team members in this ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Blessed in Christ,

John and Judy Hatcher