September 7, 2006

Dear Family and Friends,

AN "IMPOSSIBLE" CHURCH PLANT: A new Baptist congregation was started in Bairro Novo in the outskirts of Manaus. Construction took six weeks and services started in a partially completed building with a team of aggressive evangelistic Christians.

We'd been informed by a colleague: "It is impossible to start a work in Bairro Novo." He further insisted, "We tried to start a work there and it failed. You, too, won't have success." Ten weeks ago we had the first service on a Friday night and 132 people were present (the great majority were young adults). A few weeks prior to this first service, eighteen men and women were recruited and with a few preliminary classes in strategy and church planting, we dove straight into visiting people within the neighborhood. Already, 54 of the 82 new converts have been baptized. We do not yet have a baptistery, so we take a 45-minute bus ride to the mother church once a month. We've begun an in-depth Scriptural discipleship during the week and on Sunday mornings. The building has a capacity for 250 people. We have 200 chairs, and with the multiple services geared to adults and young adults (not including children), we average 240 in attendance.

Two weeks after the inauguration, we had a power surge and our amplifier and speakers were damaged. We've been using equipment on loan until ours can be repaired. This small deterrent from the Evil One, while a nuisance, has only served to strengthen the new work. We know the Lord is with us.

Building at Bairro Novo, semi-completed

Judson and some of the workers at the Bairro Novo construction site

Judson and Raquel with part of the team on-site

STABBED TO DEATH: A couple months ago as we (Raquel, who was eight months pregnant, and Sarah, one year and three months old) were driving home from the Sunday evening service, a mob of roughly twenty people rushed to the streets to stop the car in front of us. While the first car managed to bypass them, we were forced to stop by the mob. Men were angry and women were crying as a lady pleaded for help. She begged, "Please, open your car, my son was stabbed and he is dying." Ambulances are known for arriving several hours late, if at all. I found myself in a troubled dilemma; I'd been in tough situations before, but never with my wife, Sarah, and unborn child next to me. This was an upset mob. If I were to open the door my young family could be at risk. I knew that I could not simply leave. I asked the Lord for wisdom and protection as I opened my door and directed them to place the young man in the trunk of the borrowed mini-van I was driving. The stab wound appeared to be an inch away from his heart. He'd been stabbed from behind, yet the knife had cleared through his body and to his chest. He was barely breathing. I began to pull the door shut and an ambulance arrived. He died as the rescuers attempted to remove him from the car. I spoke with the mother and father in a brief attempt to console them, but their despair was too great for me to say much. I am praying for the Lord to bring salvation into the home of that family.

THREE BOOK PUBLICATIONS: Since we've arrived in Manaus we have printed three publications through the Baptist Theological Seminary of Manaus, of which I am one of six contributing authors. Our objective is to publish all of the training and discipleship resources in a professional quality format for larger scale distribution amongst the multiple congregations and churches started, and for future congregations as well.

TRAINING FOR FORTY-NINE STUDENTS FOR CHURCH PLANTING: Currently we have a class of forty-nine students in the first of three month-long church planting intensive training. Classes are Monday through Friday, 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm, and onsite training on Saturday, 2:00 pm until 10:00 pm, and on Sunday, 9:00 am until 10:00 pm. Praise the Lord for the current impact and for what is yet to come. Several capital cities will be reached as a result of these new teams that will be sent out once they complete the training and start two new works in Manaus. Previously-trained people who are currently church planting in Manaus will soon be sent to start new works in other states of Brazil. Please, pray for the equipping process, purchasing of properties, sending the teams, and the people to be reached.

Judson preaching

THE FAMILY: Laura Elizabeth was born on July 20, 2006. She is doing well despite a recent cold. Sarah Isabel continues to grow strong and has a vast and growing vocabulary in Portuguese, English, and a little Spanish, too. Raquel is always a blessing and is healing well from giving birth. I sprained my left foot twice in a week, three weeks ago. We are grateful for the many blessings the Lord has given us and for the supply of our daily needs. Thank you for your prayers and financial support. I'd like to thank each church and individuals for your love to us. Thank you, Brother David Parks, Pastor Ron and Tina Jones, Chris and Lara Bruce, Pastor Jeff and Robin Brooks, and all who pray for us daily.

Judson with newborn Laura Elizabeth

Judson, Raquel, Sarah Isabel and Laura Elizabeth Hatcher