May 27, 2003

Dear Friends,

Sunday, May 25, Wanda and I joined in the celebration with Tabernacle Baptist Church at Armando Mendes for their 5th homecoming. This church is a daughter church of Tabernacle Baptist Church where I serve as pastor. They are building a new auditorium, still under construction, to meet increased membership. I was overjoyed to see the torch passed on and shining bright to the next generation. You and we alike can be grateful to our heavenly Father for the opportunity to invest in the gospel here in Brazil. Now we are sowing, watering, watching God's work grow and reaping. We see many results now; you perhaps hear of them, but only in eternity will we be aware of the true outreach of God's grace. We are grateful to be participants in the spread of the Gospel. 

On the same night, our church youth evangelism team helped in a homecoming service at the Tabernacle Baptist at Tancredo Neves. Praise the Lord. The pastors of both these churches were saved through the Tabernacle Baptist Church ministry and trained in the Baptist Theological Seminary of Manaus. My special thanks to each of you who invest in the training of pastors through the seminary. 

We enjoyed our very brief visit to the USA. We attended the spring mission conference at the Thompson Road Baptist Church and were encouraged and uplifted. It was so great to renew our friendships and catch up on the news about families and churches. We thank pastor David Parks and all the church family for the gracious hospitality, great food and your care to make us comfortable. 

Concerning family matters, on May 10 we participated in our son, Judson's, graduation, where he received a Masters in Education. Jud's preparation is in training youth leaders and pastors for the gospel ministry. We are also glad to announce that he was accepted as a support worker by the directors of Baptist Faith Missions. He will be working with the Baptist Theological Seminary of Manaus to train leaders and pastors to reach out to the vast numbers of young people here in Brazil, even as he and Raquel continue their studies in the USA. Judson is to conduct a modular at the seminary here in Manaus in June; and, for this, we need your assistance to cover the expenses. You can mark your contributions "For Jud Hatcher's Trip". We will be looking to hear from you. 

Sunday before last, while we were in Virginia Beach with Jud and Raquel and our daughter, Leigh and husband Michael Samples, I preached at the Portuguese Baptist Mission in Norfolk, VA. Michael and Leigh started this work to the Portuguese-speaking population of that area. It was great to see how this young mission is growing. We had a great time of fellowship with them. We are always grateful for the way God is working in our family.

During this time with our other children, Michelle stayed behind in Brazil, near Garça, São Paulo, where she is studying to be a medical missionary.

We had the joy of visiting with our friends and supporters in Evansville at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, our sending church. The reception and fellowship were very enjoyable. We renewed so many memories of my pastorate there before coming to Brazil. We love each of you. 

Then there was the icing on the cake, we got to see many others of our family - Ross and Lynn, Wanda's mom, Mrs. McGary, and Dad and Mom (and celebrate Dad's birthday). Our special thanks to each of you who helped make our stay special, Mrs. McGary, Dr. Herschel and Tonya York, Bobby and Charlene Wacaser, Peggy Foster, Edward and Jackie Overbey, David and Debbie Parks, Jud and Raquel Hatcher, and Michael and Leigh Samples. 

God bless you, 

Paul and Wanda Hatcher

Paul and Wanda Hatcher, Manaus, Brazil