October 26, 2004

Dear Co-laborers,

May this find you worshipping the Lord with a thankful heart. We hope that the Thanksgiving conference proves to be blessing to all who attend. We are grateful for the opportunity to represent our Savior here in southern France. We are thankful for each of you who pray for us. We are thankful for the way that God has answered prayers. We are also thankful for your participation in this mission. Though the cost of living has increased over 50% in the past 3 years here in France, the Lord is meeting every need we have.

In our last letter we mentioned Benedicte. She is a friend of Ruth, a faithful participant in the work here. Despite her many fears, Benedicte came to Bible study. She has poured out her heart. She is looking for answers but is disillusioned with the Catholic Church in which she was reared and afraid of being sucked into some cult (a fear that is regularly fed by the media here). We have been carefully using the Word of God to explain to her the true grace of God. When she came back the second week there was an obvious change in her spirit. Tomorrow, she is planning on being here for the third time. Please, pray for this lady and her family.

We also mentioned in the October letter an open door with the family across the street. The Lord has opened that door further. During the past month, we have had several opportunities to talk to various members of this family about spiritual matters.

Judy has begun donating her time to teach an English class one day per week in the local grade school. This has also given new contacts. Every new contact is an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Another opportunity that God has given has come about in a most unusual way. One of the ladies who was member of Emmanuel Baptist Church where I pastored in Indiana met a young French lady who is living in Evansville. Aude, who is from a small town about 2 ½ hours north of us here in France, was a student at the University of Southern Indiana. We have corresponded with her and spoken to her quite at length by phone. She was recently saved and readily shares her testimony of how the Lord brought her to Himself. She has introduced us to her family. We have spoken to her mother by phone and hope to visit her family soon. Please pray for the De La Salle family; that we will be able to share the gospel with them and that the Holy Spirit will work in their heart to draw them to Christ. “Salvation is of the LORD.” What a privilege it is to give the “message of reconciliation.”

Attendance in services has been good. Those who come are attentive and participate. There are 25 who attend regularly.

Pray for us. Don’t forget to pray for those around you as well. Who knows, the next French person saved (or American, Brazilian, Kenyan, mid-easterner, Asian, etc.) may live in your community! God works in wonderful ways. May the Lord richly bless you, your family and your church.

Thanking God through Christ Jesus our Lord,

John and Judy Hatcher