A Time of Renewal
May 5, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
…..“but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
One year ago this week, John and I returned to our home in France, after spending almost 2 years in the states with my sister, Peggy. We were thankful that we could be there to walk with her through the difficult days of illness. It was heartbreaking to watch as her body faded, yet found rest and peace in the knowledge that, as she faded here, she would rise perfected and whole in the presence of our Savior!
We returned to our home that was made spic and span by our church family here. How blessed can we be?! France was still in partial lock down from Covid, so our movements were somewhat restricted. However, our friends and family made our re-entry here warm.
Our year has been filled with “renewals”. Church meetings…after attending via Skype (for which we were grateful). What a blessing to sing together, pray together, share blessings, share heart needs, study together, in the skin! Our recent study has been on how to be the light in a dark world.
Youth meetings…how invigorating to meet, play, eat, and discuss God’s word with teens! Most are ones that have come over the years, so we are blessed to see their growth and commitment.
Bible study group in Mazères…we are encouraged and blessed as we see the quiet growth and expansion of the gospel in this little town, mainly through the dedication of a single Christian lady who lets her light shine. Several have been saved as fruit of the group that meets at her house. Last meeting our hearts soared as an 80…something year old friend just started sharing verse after verse that God had used to “carry her through”.
Old friends…after three times of being cancelled by Covid, we were able to share a meal and afternoon with a couple who are former neighbors. We count each other as dear friends. We continue to pray that they will commit to Christ.
New encounters…just out for a daily walk brought about a weekly English conversation meeting where we have been able to discern their spiritual needs and share Jesus.
The more I write, the more I’m reminded of God’s goodness to us over the past year, however, I’ll stop as I’m sure your eyes are tired!
The verse thought at the beginning of this letter is actually the conclusion of a declaration that begins in the preceding verse, “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall… but…”. Today, if you’re tired, weary, I want to assure you, renewal will come!
Thank you for being a part of God’s work here in France.
Judy Hatcher
Contact Info:
John & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher@aol.com
Present USA phone 1-812-416-1033
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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46 Years of Marriage; Visitors from L’Union
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
March 11, 2019
Dear Brother and Sisters,
Last week Judy and I celebrated 46 years of marriage. As many of you would agree, the time passes quickly. Judy has certainly been a wonderful partner. We have had the opportunity to serve the Lord on three continents in very different settings. She not only is a model of encouragement, she has been a tireless worker.
Besides her continual zest in serving the Lord through in ministry beyond our family, Judy has truly been a great mother and grandmother.
This past week we also celebrated the 18th birthday of our oldest grandchild, Abigail. This summer Philip and Amanda will be taking her to Evansville, Indiana to begin her studies in Physical Therapy. We will certainly miss her in many ways. She is a good teacher, excellent musician and has touched the lives of many of her friends as a missionary. Among many other activities she is now leading a student Bible study with high school friends and acquaintances. She and another believer decided to do this and are now each leading studies on the High School grounds about the life of Christ through the Gospel according to Luke.
God has greatly used Philip, Amanda, Abigail, Nathalie, Camille and Emily in what He is doing here. We are so grateful for the partnership we have.
Yesterday, we had a great Sunday meeting with several visitors from L’Union, another city in the Toulouse metropolitan area. They are members of a family who are longtime friends of ours. Years ago, Wendy, a single missionary who works with us, and Judy taught English classes in Blandine’s home using Bible stories as the subject matter. Later, Blandine’s children were regular participants in our Youth meetings and brought their friends. This Sunday, the son, Kerwan, was here with his mother. He is now a 2nd year University student preparing to be a History teacher and shows a good interest in spiritual things. Blandine also brought a neighbor who was here for the first time. This lady expressed how much she enjoyed the Bible reading. I gave her a Bible and she was thrilled. When I suggested to Blandine that we would be glad to start a church meeting in their home, she seemed quite interested. This is something for which you can pray.
You might like to practice your French so here is part of an email I received this morning from Douceline (Blandine’s sister). She lives in Mazeres, about an hour to the south and in whose home we held Bible studies weekly for many years. She was also here yesterday.
Coucou John & Judy,
Un grand Merci pour ce repas, votre gentillesse et votre disponibilité ! Claude a été super contente ! C’était une super idée de lui donner la Bible… Merci aussi pour votre proposition concernant les études sur L’Union. Que notre Seigneur vous bénisse pour tout ce que vous faites pour vos frères et sœurs ! Que notre Seigneur œuvre dans le cœur de chacun et que ces études puissent voir le jour si c’est dans sa volonté !
We are here to let the light of Jesus shine through us so that others may know Him, trust Him and follow Him. There is no better life.
Your partners in France for Christ,
John and Judy
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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
Read more
Good News from a Far Country
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
November 8, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” (Proverbs 25:25)
So, we would like to share some of the good news that we have received this month.
A couple of weeks ago I received an email from Jean-François, the pastor who is caring for the congregation that meets in the Mazeres region about 50 miles south of Toulouse. After asking about news from our side and how Peggy was doing he wrote, “Il m’apparaît de plus en plus évident que l’implantation d’une assemblée serait pertinent, les compétences sont là et les personnes il me semble en attente, je te le laisse a ta réflexion. En espérant vous voir prochainement, Dieu voulant. Que le Seigneur vous dirige, priez pour moi.” Now that you have tried out your French, I will give it to you in English: “It seems to me more and more evident that planting a church in this location would be appropriate. There is competence and the people are waiting for this. I will let you think about it. Hoping to see you soon, God willing. May the Lord guide you, pray for me.”
A full house at the Tournefeuille Church
A full house at the Tournefeuille Church
You may remember that I called on this young man to take leadership of this group when I needed to return suddenly to the USA at the end of March. He did and does so willingly at his own expense. So, there is something that you can rejoice in and pray about. I did ask Jean-François if he would be interested in being the pastor. He works a full-time job and is involved in another church plant and has other Bible studies. This man of about 50 is single and the only member of his family that is saved. His father is an atheist and his mother a devout Catholic. He has witnessed and gives a great living testimony to his family. He was saved not long after we moved to France and I had the privilege of spending several hours a week with him in discipleship during several years.
Last weekend Rose and Jean-Luc, a couple from our church called us to find out about how we were doing and to encourage us. They and 3 of their children are very active in the Tournefeuille Church. A couple days ago Amanda told us that they had a full house Sunday. I am including a couple of snapshots one of the guys took of some of the people there.
Some of the senior saints in Evansville whom John Mark served as pastor years ago.
Here in Evansville things are going well. Yesterday we had lunch with some of the older folks I served as pastor. Well, older now, we were all a bit younger back then. The faithfulness of these disciples of Jesus Christ and scores of others who are active participants and leaders in a good number of churches here and elsewhere is very encouraging to us. I am including a snapshot of the senior saints who were together for lunch.
In Christ,
John and Judy
jmhatcher[at]aol.com
Temporary Address
John and Judy Hatcher
1901 Shepherd Dr.
Evansville, IN 47715
Field Address
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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