Dear Brothers of the Blessed Lord and Sisters of the Savior:

Once again we (Asa Mark and I) greet you from the Amazon Valley of Brazil, South America.  The 2 million residents of Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas, are enjoying the pleasant weather of not quite so hot, due to the frequent rains.  This rainy season we have had 2 city-wide blackouts, and several rains that flooded the city, and they are predicting this year the river will rise to record heights.  During the month of February each Sunday morning, evening and Wednesday evening, I have left my house and home and gone by the taxi of one of our members Bro. Raimundo the 24th of March Baptist Church, where I either preached or heard a sermon by another preacher.  Last month, the church voted for an evangelist from the Beautiful Garden (Belo Jardim) Baptist Church of Manaus, to serve the 24th of March Baptist Church as my assistant pastor, during 3 months at least.  Pray for Bro. Williams Mendes, 49 years old, and his family.

This Mission Sheets month began January 11th and finishes today.  During this period I preached 19 sermons, all at the 24th of March Baptist Church where I serve as the pastor.   I have during this period heard a total of 19 sermons preached at 4 different places.   Also, I  was able to cross the river and travel by car about an hour to dedicate the new building of the mission at that community.  I heard Pastor Sebastiao de Oliveira, the blind preacher from Minas Gerais,  preach to a full house. One of my sermons was on Sunday night, February the 5th, in a memorial service, on the first anniversary of Marie’s Homegoing. I praised the Lord for her almost 84 years on this old earth, and our 56 years together, almost 52 here in Brasil. Sweet memories until we meet again.

May we all heed the pleas of Pastor Dave Parks for more offerings for Baptist Faith Missions. I am praying that during this new year of 2012 that the missionaries of Baptist Faith Missions, will receive their full salaries and benefits. The Bratchers in Brasil need the prayers of those we love, as well as those that love us.  Please pray for Winnie Bratcher of Georgetown, because of the homegoing of her dear husband, Wes.  Please pray for Stephen Bratcher, as he will turn 52 on Thursday, and at the end of the month, will arrive to be with us for 6 weeks.  I am sure that he will be a blessing to us and the work here, as he always is.

Yours in the Service of the Savior,
Harold Bratcher
Rua Francisco Jose Furtado No. 2
Bairro de Sao Francisco
69.079-200 Manaus, Amazonas
Brasil, S.A.
harold_bratcher[at]yahoo.com

Click here to give now.