Missionary Update: The Tates in Kenya [June 2015]
The Tate Family has served the Lord in Kitale, Kenya since January 2008. Their main ministry is indigenous church planting.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
For many months, almost 6 in fact, we had no rain (Don’t worry, this newsletter is NOT a Kenyan weather report). Then the rain came sporadically in short showers. Then it came in downpours. Back when the rain was scarce the grass turned brown and basically disappeared. The ground just looked like barren dirt and I wondered if the grass would ever recover and grow back since I could see no trace of it. Once the downpours started I saw that the grass sprouted almost immediately, as if it was lying dormant in the ground just awaiting the life giving water. I was amazed at how quickly the grass grew. In two weeks it grew long and green and covered the ground. I was even more amazed when I saw some of the crops the Kenyan farmers had planted. In just a couple of weeks I saw one of their plants (which is unknown to me) grow from nothing to four or five feet high. The rapid growth shocked, astonished and even amused me.
Now, before you get too bored, let me assure you that this newsletter is neither an agricultural nor a horticulturist report either. I know nothing about such things. It’s just this: When I saw the rapid growth in the grass and the plants after the application of the rain water, I began to think and then I wondered why I don’t see
- rapid growth in the groups and churches we start
- dramatic change in the lives of my Kenyan students I teach
- more Christ-likeness in my own life
I spend much of my time teaching the groups, churches and students from the Word of God. I spend much time myself in God’s Word in personal study and devotion. Like the rain that brings to life a dead plant and causes it to grow overnight and show immediate signs of change and development I expected that the Word of God and the Spirit of God would make immediate and rapid changes in the churches and lives of the Kenyan people. That may happen with some missionaries or pastors but it doesn’t happen with me. And it frustrates, discourages and upsets me that it doesn’t. I teach Christopher (one of our students) week in and week out but I see little forward spiritual growth. We teach and lead worship every week at Kefa’s but the group doesn’t grow. And it frustrates me that it doesn’t. We pray, we study, we teach, we model, we point people to Jesus all with the hopes of seeing the Kingdom of Christ grow here in Kenya. However, the ground still looks barren instead of lush and green and vibrant. I want to believe that I’m doing things the way God wants me to. I want to believe that God’s Word is like water to the parched ground. I want to believe that the Kenyan people are reachable and redeemable. Are these things true?
The answer, of course, is YES. These things ARE true. God’s Word IS like water on a parched ground and a parched people. The Kenyan people ARE reachable and redeemable. OH, GOD! Reach the Kenyan people! Do it in your way, with your Word and Spirit, in your timing and to your glory. Bring spiritual life and vibrancy to their thirsty souls. May they grow and be more like Jesus. Change them. Change me. Change my readers. In Jesus name, amen.
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6)
Until next month, beloved.
May God’s peace and joy be with you.
For the glory of God in East Africa,
Roger & Julie Tate (and Emily, Amy, Josiah & Chloe)
rojuta[at]gmail.com
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Mission Sheets: PDF Version [May 2015]
The May 2015 issue of the Mission Sheets is now available! Get your advanced PDF copy of the May 2015 Mission Sheets at the link below.
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Missionary Update: Jud & Raquel Hatcher in Brazil [May 2015]
Jud and Raquel Hatcher serve the Lord in Manaus, Brazil. They are part of the “SeedFactory” church planting initiative, which is a movement to plant churches in all 26 Brazilian capitals. Since 2006, 43 churches have been started in 5 states.
A MIRACLE BABY
A few weeks ago, a family in the church (Dyego, Thamires and their 14 month old son) found out the she was 20 weeks (5 months) pregnant. The following week the mother had complications and the doctors suggested an abortion. The baby was expected to die before completing full term. While at the hospital, the mother went into labor and the baby was born prematurely at 21 weeks. Baby Laura Victoria was born with 22oz. Twice, she had resuscitated procedures within the first 24 hours of life out of the womb. Uncertain if the baby’s vital organs were developed to survive without the breathing machine, the doctors gave no hope. One doctor stated, “At this point, we literally need a miracle for her to live. Her lungs are not developed”. Well, guess what, she is alive and well. She is now 3 weeks old, all of her organs are perfectly formed, is breathing on her own and is gaining weight. Praise the Lord! Please, pray for this little baby and the family.
Laura Vitoria
MOTHERS’ DAY CELEBRATION
Last Sunday, Dyego (baby Laura Vitoria’s father) invited all of his extended family to come to Mothers’ Day service to give thanks and celebrate the baby’s life. Four generations of the family were present and one of the uncles surrendered to the Savior. I believe there are still more to surrender as well. Pray for salvation decisions.
PASTORS’ NETWORK
This month’s pastors’ network gathering was a great success. Each month we meet at a different church and this time we held it at “Life Seed Baptist Church”. My brother-in-law was the guest speaker. We discussed a church planting strategy used in China, India, Kenya and Honduras.
One of the churches in the network is in the process of relocating to a better location within their neighborhood. We took up an offering and began a fundraising campaign among the sister churches to come up with the $50,000 to purchase the property.
I am in the process of passing the leadership “baton” of the Pastors’ Network to another pastor. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, May 26. Pray with us regarding these matters.
Some of the folks at Ativa
PASTORAL TRANSITION
The pastoral leadership at our church plant “Ativa: uma Igreja Batista” (Active: a Baptist Church) is well underway. The pastor and his wife were received with open arms by the church and are excited about the future. Everyone is enthusiastic with the Evangelism and discipleship strategies for reaching new people. This next Sunday’s baptisms will be under the new pastor’s leadership. In June, we will finalize the legal transition necessary with government offices. Pray for us as we work through this process.
RETURN TO THE STATES
In July, we return to the US for a one-year State-side assignment and plan to live in Lexington, KY. You can reach us at (859) 544-9040. Let us know how we can serve you and your church.
Grateful always,
Jud Hatcher
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Missionary Update: AJ & Barbara Hensley in Brazil [May 2015]
The Hensleys have spent nearly 15 years serving in Brazil. They run a vocational school and orphanage in Caraguatatuba and have also established a church and mission points throughout the city.
May 9, 2015
Friends and family,
It has been good visiting Churches and meeting new friends. We have been in Western Ky. with Pastor Foy and in the Perryville Baptist Church where we met new friends. We met with Pastor Dan Russell and the seniors at Immanuel Baptist Church and were able to tell them about Gods work here in Brasil. We also were at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, this is where Barb’s mom is a member, and they gave a generous offering to buy more chairs for our mission Church. Thanks to them and First Baptist Church in Bastrop, Texas who also gave for the chairs, we will be able to purchase more than anticipated. It is good to have these kinds of problems–not having enough chairs for the people to sit.
On our return to Brasil, my car was a little sick. It did not want to start, oh well you know, a new battery. We then proceeded to go to the mall to pay some bills and after taking care of business, we returned to the car. Guess what, the car would not start. So the battery was not the problem. After an hour of trying to start the car, raising the hood and looking (oh by the way, that also did not help), I called a tow truck. Three days later the mechanic called and said that my car was ready. It was an electric problem, about the size of your thumb.
This would not have been to big of a problem except that Barbara’s car was also in the shop and had been for about 6 weeks. Oh well–all’s well that ends well. We got both cars back the same day. God is good—and all the time. Or as I say AWESOME!!!
While we were home we were able to remodel Barb’s mom, Mrs. Reba’s, bathroom and bedroom. This was accomplished with the help of my brother Ralph from Paris and John Greatbatch and Barb. A real family effort. THANKS friends and family.
While we were in the States our Sunday School almost doubled. Another reason why we are in need of chairs and tables. As you know, we feed the children on Sunday mornings and some of those children do not have a place to sit. I am not complaining just relaying the AWESOME blessing.
We were in Garca, Sao Paulo, two weeks ago with the Seminary and after the classes we were able to attend a pastor’s conference there. There were around 500 pastors in attendance. It was very encouraging to see so many people interested in God’s Word. We were able to tell them about our seminary, Caragua Baptist Seminary, and created a great deal of interest among those 500. Hopefully next semester some of them will attend there in Garca. This semester we had 15 students in attendance. We were planning to have classes in three different locations; however, things changed due to circumstances. You guessed it, car problems. We were in two cars because of all the luggage we had due to two weeks on the road. Also we had books for the three classes, about 125 books. We were using two cars, mine and a rental. As we were leaving Garca the rental car overheated. Cracked radiator. It was just a pin hole but it rendered the car unusable. You would think —rental car -no problems—but these things happen. We lost over a day and this caused us to not have enough time for our Sao Paulo classes. We had to reschedule these for August or September. Then we moved on to Orlandia where we had 43 students. It was a great class and good fellowship. Our thanks to Dr. Edge from 1st Baptist Church in Bastrop Texas for the wonderful instruction on the Old Testament Survey.
In closing we are asking for the prayer warriors to put our prayer requests on your daily prayer list. Sunday School, cars, church growth, seminary, and music leaders in the Church. And oh! by the way, my car tires have no more treed, so I guess I need new tires. Pray for our needs and the wonderful people we encounter here in Brasil.
In His Service,
Aj and Barbara Hensley
Aj and Barbara Hensley
ajcaragua[at]gmail.com
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Missionary Update: Paul & Wanda Hatcher in Brazil [May 2015]
Paul and Wanda Hatcher have been serving the Lord together in Brazil since 1974. Paul pastors Tabernacle Baptist Church in Manaus, Brazil. Their main ministry is church planting.
May 08, 2015
Dear Friends and Co-laborers,
We greet each of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are thankful for God’s goodness and grace this new month. Praise God the Father for providing unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. He supplies our every need and much more; and we are so grateful to our God.
The first weeks of April, Wanda, Willa and I were in Manaus. It was great to see all our friends and co-workers. It was also a time of rejoicing and celebration of all that God has done and is doing in the gospel ministry in Brazil. Forty years have gone by quite rapidly, that is how long we have been serving in Brazil through the Tabernacle Baptist Church. Our ministry as senior pastor has been to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ, baptize, teach them the teaching of Christ, train and equip the saints. The church has prayed and sent many to the mission fields to reach people with the gospel and start churches. I terminated my service as senior pastor; and the church unanimously called a new pastor, Pastor Michael Samples, who had served as coordinator of our training program for eight years. The church continues to grow and be enthused regarding the spread of the gospel to all Brazil.
We continue to serve out of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, our sending church to continue to do missions in Brazil. I am so grateful for all God’s blessings and grace. In God’s plan some give, some plow, others sow and others reap – it is always God that gives the increase. The results sometimes are visible and we rejoice in the Lord; and we are glad because you are partakers also with us. The increase God is giving will be motive for much rejoicing in eternity to come.
I want to personally thank those of you who support the ministry with your prayers and your financial generosity. Those who hear the gospel are also eternally grateful that you prayed and that you gave.
Wanda and I are currently in Florida, caring for senior missionaries – my dad and mom, John and Alta Hatcher who served 60 years in Brazil and my mother-in-law, Willa, the widow of Wilford McGary, missionary to Appalachia for 35 years. All of them will celebrate or have celebrated their ninetieth birthday this year. Wanda and I consider it a privilege and joy to be with them and care for them. The 30th of April we celebrated Dad’s 90th birthday in Lexington, the day after the Baptist Faith Missions conference. It was good to be with the family for this wonderful occasion. Certainly God is gracious beyond measure.
The Annual Baptist Faith Missions Spring Conference was a great encouragement. The encouragement from the word of God was great. “To Know Christ – And To Make Christ Known!” was the theme. I always enjoy seeing supporting pastors and friends and fellow missionaries serving on the field. Thanks to Pastor Dave Parks and the Thompson Road Baptist Church for your hospitality and love. You are great hosts; may God richly reward you.
We pray for you that your knowledge and remembrance of our Lord, the only true God, may abundantly increase in wisdom and discernment, that your trust and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ may be steadfast always, and that the love of his Holy Spirit may fill and overflow in your every word and action, with thanksgiving to God through Jesus Christ our only Lord and Life.
Love, Paul and Wanda
Paul and Wanda Hatcher
rphatcher[at]gmail.com
15905 Mercott Court
Clermont, FL 34714
(239)227-6551
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Missionary Update: Odali & Kathy Barros in Brazil [May 2015]
Odali and Kathy Barros served the Lord in Sao Paulo, Brazil together from 1987-2013. In late 2013, they transitioned to Manaus in Northern Brazil to start sharing the Gospel and planting churches in villages along the river.
May 8, 2015
Greetings, to all our friends that are great prayer partners and supporters. We pray that all of you are well and enjoying the blessings from our Lord. We are all doing great. Things have been a little different this last month while Kathy is in the US visiting her parents and also seeing our children.
Things here are doing well. This month I will become the pastor of the Living Rocks Baptist Church, where have been attending. It is 20 miles after you cross the river from Manaus. The bridge that we cross to go to Manaus is almost 2 miles long. The view is beautiful. Since the bridge was built, it has made life much easier for those who live on the other side. Before I was married and worked with Paul Hatcher at Tabernacle Baptist Church, I went across the river almost every day. It sure took a lot longer to get across besides all the waiting time for the barges. So praise God for this wonderful bridge! Also they have more roads that take us places that you could only go by boat a few years ago. On these roads there are many small dirt roads that end up in small communities. There are many of them. These are the places that we are visiting to see which ones might have a Baptist work. Pray for us as we reach out to these places and that God will open homes where we can start.
The bridge leading to Manaus.
Kathy told me about the conference and how great it was. She was really excited and rejoicing in how every one was enthused about missions and just having wonderful fellowship. We praise God for that and pray that our love will grow more and more each day. Sounds like Kathy is having a great time with family and friends.
We have had several friends that came to see us here at our place. Friends that we have known since we were single and then worked with some of them when we were all young married couples. Some have just found out that we are back in the Manaus area. It has been great to see them again and have fellowship with them.
Pray for us as we take on the leadership of this church. Many of the members have not been involved in any kind of ministry before. We want to teach them the importance of serving in the church and help them find an area that they can serve.
Thanks for you love and support! God bless each of you.
Odali and Kathy
Odali & Kathy Barros
Caixa Postal 1
Iranduba, Amazonas 69.415.000
Brasil, S.A.
odali_kathy[at]hotmail.com
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Missionary Update: The Tates in Kenya [May 2015]
The Tate Family has served the Lord in Kitale, Kenya since January 2008. Their main ministry is indigenous church planting.
May 8, 2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Last month I mentioned a tragic event that occurred in Kenya, namely, the attack by the Muslim terrorist group Al Shabaab (based in Somalia) against an innocent school in the town of Garissa. Gunmen stole in at night while the students slept and murdered nearly 150 people. The carnage and the terror it caused was heard in news reports around the world. In my newsletter I mentioned that this terrorist event didn’t effect us too much because it was in a different part of the country from which we live. It turns out that I was wrong in that assessment. That event actually has effected the whole country in ways similar to the ways the whole United States of America was effected by the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centers. I’m sure it will be easy to think back 14 years and remember the ways that attack impacted our own country. Then you will be able to understand how the attack in Garissa effected Kenya.
First, do you remember the initial fear that the 9/11 attack caused? I remember watching the TV with shock and fear and thinking “how could this happen”? At the time I was working at the Wright/Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio and shortly after the attacks I watched out the window of my office and saw the command center plane took off and fly away. Do you know the command center plane? It’s the one that can launch all our nuclear weapons and control total annihilation all from the air. I couldn’t help thinking “we’re all going to die”. Well, similar reactions occurred here in Kenya after the Garissa attack. I just talked with a young man this week who told me that his entire school refused to sleep in the dorm after the attack because they were afraid of being sitting ducks in their rooms. They all slept outside or hid in places where they thought would be safer. People everywhere were concerned that subsequent attacks would take place and that they were all at risk.
Second, do you remember the anger that followed up the initial fear after 9/11? There was anger toward Muslims in general. There was outrage that innocent people were killed and that our way of life was altered. We went to war, we heightened security at the airports and we spew out vitriol against anyone we thought was an enemy. The same occurred here in Kenya after the Garissa attack. The government looked to close the border between Kenya and Somalia. Then there were loud calls to move the IDP camp (Internationally Displaced People) where thousands of displaced Somalis live. Kenyans didn’t want that camp to be located in Kenya anymore and demanded that the United Nations move it to another country. Security was beefed up as well, at schools, shopping centers and government offices. Most Kenyans were angry that so many students had been killed. They felt violated.
Third, do you remember the questions that resulted from the 9/11 attacks? People started asking questions like, “Why did this happen to us?”, “Where is God in all this?”, and “How could people be so evil?”. For a long time people were more interested in spiritual things. Churches had more people in them. More people prayed. People thought more about their eternal destinations. The questions that resulted here in Kenya after the Garissa attack were a little different however. I had people ask me questions like, “What should we do if a terrorist holds a gun to my head”, “Should I lie about being a Christian?” and “Should I pretend to be a Muslim to protect my family?”. One person in one of our groups asked me if it was OK to memorize a few passages from the Koran so that if he were threatened by a terrorist he could quote them, pretend to be a Muslim and live to see another day. Because of questions like these I have been addressing these issues in my teaching to the groups. You can look up what the New Testament says about these things on your own, but, in short what I’ve been trying to teach them is that the cost of following Jesus can be high and that they need to count the cost. I’ve tried to teach them that if they put their hands to the plow they should not look back. I’ve shared with them that if they gain the whole world and lose their own souls they have gained nothing and lost everything. I’ve shown them where Jesus says that if we seek to save our lives we will lose them and if we lose our lives for his sake we gain eternal life. They’ve seen also that Jesus says if we love father or mother or children or nations more than him then we are not worthy to be his followers. These are all hard sayings indeed but they apply just as much to Christians in Kenya in the 21st century as they did to the first century followers that Jesus was talking to.
How would you react if you were put in the same situation? 9/11 was worse by far that the attacks in Garissa in Kenya. But it didn’t take long for those effects to fade away in our country. I wonder how long it will be before people stop thinking much about it here too. I pray that we Christians here in Kenya and you brothers and sisters in the States as well would be totally devoted and committed to following our Lord Jesus Christ with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength. And even with our lives.
Until next month, beloved.
May God’s peace and joy be with you.
For the glory of God in East Africa,
Roger & Julie Tate (and Emily, Amy, Josiah & Chloe)
rojuta[at]gmail.com
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Missionary Update: Bobby & Charlene Wacaser on Furlough from Brazil [May 2015]
Bobby, Charlene, Jessie, and Brennen Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
May 8, 2015
Our young missionary to the Muslim culture was greatly shaken upon his arrival to the field in more ways than one! Shortly after he arrived at the airport in Nepal, a major earthquake occurred. There was chaos everywhere, as most of you already know from news reports. Alysson was there and he and many others were stranded in the airport for four days without any way to continue on their travels. Soon the food in the airport ran out and his only intake was water and some candy for a couple of days. We are very thankful, though, that he was not injured, or worse, and now he has moved on to his field of ministry.
Although the earthquake itself was not a good thing, we can already see how the Lord used it for His good purposes. Because of the disaster and despair that followed, the people are now much more open to outsiders coming in with whatever help they bring. The people are open to have their more important spiritual needs addressed also. Alysson is struggling to communicate the love of Christ to a people who have never heard of Jesus Christ amidst many physical and spiritual challenges. We are praying for him and supplying him with whatever physical needs that we can.
During the last month our Projeto Vida buses were working together with the group of youth that comes each year from Brandon, Florida to spend a week evangelizing in the city parks and public schools. This year there were 48 people in the group and the Lord used them greatly. They spent one day ministering to a group of over 200 adults of street dwellers, homeless folks who meet at a city park each week to receive a hot meal, are loved on, receive counseling and hear the gospel preached. The youth group performed skits which clearly communicated the love of Christ and several of those folks surrendered to Christ. As an extra blessing, the young people who ministered were also touched by the Lord as they learned just how greatly the Lord could use them when they are willing to step outside of their comfort zones.
Since my mother’s passing away, I have been trying to help my family in the care of my aging father. Our return was unexpected, so my family and I are attempting to adjust to some challenges here in the US. My son’s schooling situation is one of our greatest difficulties because of all the red tape involved, but I think we are finally getting somewhere.
Charlene and I had the wonderful privilege of attending the annual Baptist Faith Missions Conference sponsored by the Thompson Road Baptist Church this past month. We were so well received and taken care of by the good people of the church and it was a joy to be able to fellowship with so many of our missionary brothers and sisters who were in attendance. We also had the privilege of renewing old acquaintances and making new friends with pastors and members from other supportive churches. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there.
Thank you for your continued prayer and support.
In Christ’s love,
Furlough Address:
3912 Casaba Loop
Valrico, FL 33596
Field Address:
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279-1
Sobrado 1, Bairro Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR Brasil
Phone: (813) 481-7007
Cell Phone: (813) 727-6405
Email: bobbymichael_1@hotmail.com
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