Encouraging Services, Ministry to Shut-Ins
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
January 2, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today is a typical gray winter day in Tournefeuille, but beyond the clouds I know the sun is shining. That is often the way it is in our daily lives. We may be surrounded by circumstances that may be dark, but “the Sun of righteousness” has arisen “with healing in His wings” and He is above all.
I have been particularly encouraged by the services of our church the past two Sundays. Since these Sundays were on holidays we decided to have the service at 4pm followed by a time of snacking and fellowship. In our informal time of sharing, the spiritual growth of some was evident. Two of the Sunday services during the month of December were led by men in the church besides Philip and me. Our goal is to make disciples and to commit God’s word to “faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
On Christmas Day part of the worship time was a musical presentation by our children and young people. It was thrilling to watch and to have unsaved visitors here to hear the gospel because their grandchildren were singing. The young people were repeating for us a special program they had done earlier in the month for senior citizens at a meeting sponsored by the city of L’Union.
How this came about is in itself a blessing. Paulette, the oldest member of our congregation lives in the city of L’Union. About a year ago she decided to become a volunteer for the city government and a non-profit organization whose goals are to contact older people who are shut in. Though Paulette’s health itself is not the best, she has been faithful in this new endeavor and as a result has had the opportunity to talk about her faith to the shut ins. She has also had many opportunities to talk about Christ with other volunteers with whom she makes the visits. She organized this special Christmas party where testimony for Christ could be given.
Thank you for your prayers and support. May God bless each of you as you begin this New Calendar year and let us all remember to use our time on earth to invest into eternity.
In France,
John and Judy
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Praying for New Meeting Places in Ubim & Iranduba
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.
December 30, 2016
Hope all of you have had wonderful holiday season. We have had a great and busy time.
At the main church, Pedras Vivas, things are doing great. We have been working with members of the church that have been there for a long time, to get them involved in ministries and to reach out to the lost. The church has a bus which has started running in the community where we live and in two new communities past the church. These communities are actually big enough to have a mission. We are limited with workers so for now we will continue to bring them on the bus. Our church has built an addition on to the church building for classes fellowship and also put in air conditioning.
The ministry in the community of Ubim is doing really wonderful. It has grown and the area we work in has reached its limit. We use a patio that a family lets us use, but we have so many small children coming that we need room to work with them so we can better work with the older people. We are asking God to provide a new place. Many teens are coming and need to be worked with to reach them. There is not much in this community for them to do, but there are a lot of bad things as an option. Pray with us that God would show us a place.
At the Iranduba mission we did a special emphasis in reaching out to the youth. The city has so many young people. Prostitution and drugs are very strong there. We hope that this coming year they will continue to reach out to friends. We also are looking for another building there. The building is rented, does not offer options, and is small.
The mission at Multirao community is doing great. We have a team that is working there. They are having four services a week. They are doing well—they have meetings and are making new plans for next year. They are making plans to build a wall around the building. There was a banana tree in the back and someone stole it—can you believe that? Well that wasn’t all…they stole the toilets out of the bathrooms. They didn’t get into the church because there are iron bars on the door and windows. Pray for this team that God will bless them.
We want to thank each of you who have prayed for us and our ministry and have given so faithfully. We appreciate and love each of you. God bless you tremendously.
Odali & Kathy Barros
Caixa Postal 1
Iranduba, Amazonas 69.415.000
Brasil, S.A.
odali_kathy[at]hotmail.com
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Desires for the New Year
The Tate Family has served the Lord in Kitale, Kenya since January 2008. Their main ministry is indigenous church planting.
December 29, 2016
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Happy New Year! I wish to briefly look ahead to the coming new year and express what I would like to see happening here in Kitale, the place where we are ministering. These are not New Year’s resolutions. It is simply my desire and my prayer for the year 2017. At this point next year I would like to look back and see that these things did indeed occur.
· I would like to pray more. Prayer on the mission field is vital. But prayer in a Christian’s personal life is vital as well. Anemic prayer life leads to anemic Christian life and anemic ministry.
· I would like to know God more. I want to know His ways more, I want to know His mind more. I want my mind to be like His mind. I want to grow in my relationship with Him.
· I would like to do more of what Jesus says to do. There is so much that He said and did and taught us to do that I neglect or avoid or ignore. In 2017 I want to focus on Jesus and do all that he wants me to do.
Those are the top things I would like to see in 2017. Note that they are much more personal than they are ministry related. Here are some things I would like to see in regards to ministry:
· I would like to see more Kenyan people trusting in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. That means the people I come into contact with on a day-by-day basis. It means the people I evangelize with the gospel. It means lost friends that I show the love of Christ to every day. It means the Pokot people living out in the bush.
· I would like to see more Kenyan people truly growing in their relationship with Jesus. I don’t want them to follow Jesus because of what material things they think they will get from Him. I don’t want them to follow Jesus because they want Him to heal them. I don’t want them to follow Jesus for a good luck charm. These are all typical reasons for following Jesus. I want them to follow Jesus, to love Him, to learn from Him, to submit to Him, to live for Him. In essence, I want them to be true disciples of Jesus and not fair weather disciples.
· I would like to see new Baptist churches started: Churches that are on fire for Jesus, churches fulfilling the great commission, churches loving each other, churches worshiping God in Spirit and truth, churches that are functioning as the body of Christ on earth.
Again, these are not resolutions. They are not “goals”. They are my desires. They are my prayers for the next year. They are how I would like to see God glorified in my life and in my ministry. Grant it, oh Lord.
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 Amy, Josiah & Chloe)
rojuta[at]gmail.com
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God Sends 5 French Bikers to Help with Thanksgiving Leftovers in Brazil
The Hensleys have spent nearly 20 years serving in Brazil. They have established a church in Caraguatatuba and mission points throughout the city. They have also recently started a seminary to train pastors.
December 14, 2016
Dear friends and family,
We got back to Brazil just before Thanksgiving and Barb got busy getting everything ready for the big meal. We had a wonderful time with family and we had much leftovers. After we had gotten the dishes washed and the food put away, there was a clapping at the door. (For those who have not been to Brazil, that is our doorbell). As we went to see who was coming to visit, we saw a bunch of bicycles at the door. As we approached the front door, we saw that there were 5 bicycles and riders. As we talked to them, we understood that they were looking for a place to camp for the night. We told them of several camp grounds in our area. In further conversation, they told us that they were trying to only spend 8 euros a day.
I decided to invite them to camp in our backyard that is not a yard, but a covered space in front of our laundry room. They were from France and were beginning their trip around the world on bicycles. They accepted our offer of a place to stay and came in and set up their tents, took showers and rested. Then we invited them in to partake with us of the leftovers from Thanksgiving. Is not our God AWESOME!!!! He planned for our visitors before they came. We were able to show God’s love and plant a seed for someone down the road to water, and for God to reap the harvest. Pray for this to happen in these 3 years that they are riding around the world. They are riding from Brazil to the States then through several other continents.
Five Bikers from France who plan to cycle the world over the next three years showed up on Thanksgiving needing a place to camp for the night.
AJ & Barbara invited them to camp in their backyard (a covered space in front of their laundry room)!
For them to do this, they had to sell everything they had. Their plan is to be gone from France for 3 years. So we have an invitation to go to France in 3 years and we have 5 homes to stay in. Pray for these young people—for their safety and their salvation.
This month we have begun the plans for our Pastors Conference for 2017. The date is October 9-12. This year we will face more financial difficulties as the crisis here in Brazil continues. Many of the pastors that attend will be hard pressed to come up with the money to pay for the hotel bill. So we will be working on raising the money to help many of them to come to the conference. This is a great prayer request as many of these pastors need this renewing of their energy spiritual to continue in God’s work. All our speakers are from the States and they pay for their passage to come and teach in the conference. What a blessing for all of us here in Brazil. The last conference we had, there were many pastors that attended and went home with their batteries charged and ready to go. Pray for these pastors and help with the finances if you can. We have started to get the word out about the conference. We went to Garça two weeks ago and spoke to 5 pastors who are anxious to come be a part of this next conference.
Well I still have some health issues to take care of but am looking forward to August 2017 to get the final results from the treatments. Keep this in your prayers.
We want to take this time to wish you and yours a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
In His service,
Aj and Barb
Aj and Barbara Hensley
ajcaragua[at]gmail.com
Click here to give. | Like them on Facebook.
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Personal Evangelism in Campinas Leads to Changed Lives
Bobby, Charlene, Jessie, and Brennen Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
December 7, 2016
Hello Friends,
One of our outreach teams traveled to take the gospel to the city of Campinas in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Beyond their usual efforts to get into the public schools and city squares with evangelistic skits, testimonies and preaching, one group concentrated on personal evangelism in homes and common everyday encounters with the local residents. They purposefully initiated pleasant conversations with people in grocery lines, bank lines, and in shopping locations while asking the Lord to open a door of opportunity to share the gospel when the individuals showed interest. There were many who, after hearing the gospel, accepted Christ as their personal Savior.
During one such conversation with two teenage boys, one boy whispered something into the ear of the other and then they both laughed a derisive laugh. When the missionary volunteer asked what they were talking about, the first boy responded that the team had arrived too late in their town. They said that it was hopeless there. The older brother of one of the teens had recently committed suicide and they said that many young people in their town had done the same and others were planning to. The missionary proceeded to show them from the Scriptures and from his own past that while we have breath, it is never too late. The gospel was clearly and passionately shared and the two young men surrendered their lives to Christ.
Another of our teams traveled also, but stayed in the home state of Parana. They learned from their visit that the city, Paysandú, is under heavy demonic oppression. There is a large percentage of youth who are addicted to drugs and illicit sex. There are also those who are no longer interested in religion because of all the false religions that have entered there only to take financial advantage of an already poor people. This group had only a handful of residents come to a personal relationship with Christ. We rejoice that God’s grace did reach these, but we also know that, because of their unbelief, many are still living in a state of confusion and hopelessness. Much like our own outreach efforts among family and personal friends, not everyone who hears their message of hope surrenders to the Lord. Please continue to remember Projeto Vida and its volunteers in your prayers.
Thank you,
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
Bobby and Charlene Wacaser
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
Give: Click here to give.
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News & Reports – December 2016 [Online Edition]
The Online Edition of the December 2016 BFM News & Reports is now available at the link below. Read how God is working through the lives of our faithful missionaries and continue to pray for them. [Click here to read BFM News & Reports – December 2016]
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Peaceful Months; Celebrating Holidays with Loved Ones
Nathan and Carrie Radford serve the Lord in Kitale, Kenya. Their main ministries include indigenous church planting, a prison ministry, and a hospital ministry for mothers with premature babies.
December 1, 2016
Dear praying friends,
It is hard to believe that 2016 is soon to be over and 2017 is right around the corner. Time passes so fast, and may we serve the Lord while we still can. Service is a privilege, and may we serve faithfully. It is so good to be with those we love for this holiday season. Perhaps the greatest sacrifice of missions is being so far from those we love, so we are thankful to be near this year.
Thanks so much to each one who has prayed for us in regards to our security. The past several months have been peaceful, for which we thank the Lord. There was one incident where someone was trying to steal the wood off the back fence to use for firewood, but this is nothing in comparison to how it was earlier in the year. God is answering prayer in regards to our security situation. Hopefully now things will go back to normal. We trust God through all these situations. John 14:1 says “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.” What a wonderful verse to claim throughout our lives.
In family news, our daughters are both doing well with school. They are going full time to Calvary Baptist Academy in Hurricane, WV. This has been such a good experience for them, gaining friendships, having many activities, and the socialization that they have needed so much. We would appreciate your prayers even now for other missionary families to serve in Kitale with children, as this would provide much needed friendships for our daughters. God is in control of all these things and we trust Him. His plan is perfect and His timing is always the right time.
I (Nathan) am in the process of scheduling churches for our current furlough, so if you would be interested in me coming to share about what God is doing in Kenya, you can email me at: naterad@yahoo.com.
We wish each of you a wonderful upcoming Christmas holiday and happy New Year. Wise men still seek Him. May we never forget the birth of our Savior and may we honor Him in our daily lives. God bless you all.
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Furlough Address:
56 Lobo Lane
Culloden, WV 25510
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online.
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Do Missionaries Ever Feel Afraid?
The Tate Family has served the Lord in Kitale, Kenya since January 2008. Their main ministry is indigenous church planting.
November 30, 2016
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Have you ever wondered if missionaries to foreign countries ever feel afraid? The answer is: “Yes. Often.” Sometimes it’s when driving on dangerous roads. Sometimes it’s when there has been a lot of thug activity going on. Sometimes it’s as simple as worrying about your work permit being granted by the immigration department. But there is one moment that occurred recently that sticks in my mind more than usual. It concerns the last time I dropped off the map and went to the bush. I was going to a place I had never been to before, farther than I had been before. That didn’t concern me. The problem was I didn’t really know anybody in the place I was going. I had met and talked for an hour with one man who lived there but other than him I was going in cold turkey. I had some missionary friends drive me the 7 hour drive up to the village. As long as I was in their vehicle, speaking English, surrounded by familiar things and familiar people and familiar culture I was fine. When we got to the village I grabbed my backpack, tent, and water, said goodbye to my friends and watched them drive away.
As soon as they started driving away I was afraid. Now there was nothing familiar. No familiar language; No familiar culture; No familiar surroundings; No familiar people. As I watched the dust settle from the departing vehicle I had never felt so lonely and alone in all of my life. I wanted to call out to them and say “STOP! Don’t leave me here! Take me back with you!” I guess if I had any visions of missionary grandeur before this moment they were all gone now. I lay down later that night trying to sleep. I missed my wife terribly. I wanted to go home. I felt like I was on a different planet and home was as far away as Mars. In effect, home was unreachable, gone. Everything good and familiar had become a distant memory. I began to think: Why am I here? Am I only here because this is what good missionaries do and I want to be considered a good missionary? Am I only here because I am trying to impress people? Am I only here because I am trying to win points with God by putting myself through hardship and trials? Am I only here because of the adventure (HA! Some adventure!). Can I confess something? Because my human, sinful nature has not been totally eradicated yet, all of these elements are probably involved in my decision to go to the bush. But the Pokot people need Jesus. And I hope this is the biggest reason why I would decide to go up there. I am not always excited about what God wants me to do. You probably aren’t either. But God’s plan is for his Kingdom to spread all around the earth to all the nations, peoples and tribes of the earth. And that includes each of us doing the things he has called us to do. Please pray for me. I want to and will go back. However, the feelings of fear and loneliness are still strong. And pray for my motives. Pray that I would work for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ our Savior and for the glory of God among the Pokot people.
One side news item: Julie and I have taken in another preemie baby. Her name is Tina. We have had her for a week now and I believe she is about three weeks old. She is very, very tiny. When she came to us a week ago she weighed only 2.4 pounds. When I look at her and pick her up I think there is no possible way she can weigh even that much. We cannot know for sure but it is extremely possible that Tina was aborted by her mother and yet lived (they have some kind of drink concoction that supposedly terminates unwanted pregnancies as well as other means of aborting babies). When Tina came to us she was too weak and frail to nurse and so we have been feeding her using a feeding tube through her nose and into her stomach. We plan to care for her and love her for a few weeks until she is strong enough to go to the children’s home that has custody of her. She has grown a little stronger since she arrived. Please pray for her strength and health. She is a beautiful little person made in God’s image and for His glory.
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 Amy, Josiah & Chloe)
rojuta[at]gmail.com
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