November 2, 2004

Dear friends,

Here's a sad but joyful note of what God's doing at the new mission at Santa Etelvina, on the outskirts of Manaus.  This work, led by missionaries Adolfo and Ivanete, is reaching out to many troubled youth, many of whom participate in gangs.  One of the prominent gang members was invited and came out to service; he heard the gospel but did not accept it.  Only three days later, he was gunned down by a rival gang.  God was merciful and spared his life.  Pray that he might be saved.  We pray for them often, as members of rival gangs have actually sat in the same service to hear the preaching of the Word.  Pretty phenomenal when you understand the bitterness and anger they have between themselves.  This mission was started in August of this year; they have an average attendance of 80 people.  As of this moment, they have property bought and a metal structure for a building but lack funds for roofing and walls.  Pray for the team's safety and for a building as soon as possible.

We arrived from Boa Vista early this morning.  We had a great visit with the missions there.  We had an enjoyable time with the missionaries and pastors from each of the four locations.  It is great to see new people saved and added since our last visit.  The newest mission at Asa Branca, a subdivision of Boa Vista, now has their property paid for and are praying for funding to build a meeting place.  Hopefully we can get them a roof over their heads before the rainy season starts.

October 30 was the first service at a new mission in the subdivision of Pedreira in the city of Belem.  This is a special moment, as this church plant is the result of a seed factory church in the same city.  The Mission Pastor at this location is Jose Souza; he and his wife, Ana Eulalia, have two sons.  The team of missionaries under their leadership were saved. baptized, and trained by the church at Cremacao subdivision.  The first service had 30 visitors present and their first public profession of faith.  Pastors Neto and Ivanildo, both teachers at the Baptist Seminary of Manaus, conducted a seminar on church planting with the team.  The building is leased, so we ask your prayers for a future location to purchase.  Praise God for this new mission.

Also on October 30, after a week of training for the members by Pastors Neto and Ivanildo in the next door state of Amapa, our mission in the capital city of Macapa, started an outreach to youth.  The work there is led by missionary David Ghana and his wife Luciana.  This first service was attended by 31 youth; and at the closing, four trusted Christ as Savior, and one person came for rededication.  Needless to say, we are rejoicing for all the great doors God is opening.

Pray and consider being a partner in starting churches in Brazil.  Thank you for your love and prayers.

Paul and Wanda Hatcher

About half of the Sunday Morning Seminary class at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Manaus, Brazil.