Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [March 2015]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
March 5, 2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We hope this finds you enjoying the Lord’s blessings. You are a blessing to us and the work of the Lord in France.
As mentioned in our last letter, Darrell and Shirley Messer were with us for a few days early in February. We certainly enjoyed visiting with them. Unfortunately, our winter school vacation started just as they arrived and our Sunday meeting was a record low for the last couple of years. Several of our regularly scheduled Bible studies and activities did not take place for the same reason, but the Messers were able to see some of what God is doing here.
Two days ago, Judy and I celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary. It is hard to believe that it was really that long ago. When I was about ten years old, my mother encouraged us in one of our family devotional times to begin praying for the person God wanted us to marry. I began doing this on a regular basis and God certainly answered my prayers. As Christ and the apostle Paul tell us, some people receive the gift of being able to serve the Lord as a single person. I am so grateful for several believers that I know who have committed their lives to the service of God as single people. The Lord created us and knows us intimately. He certainly knew that I would not be very effective alone. I am thankful beyond words for the life and ministry mate God gave me.
Last week we started a new Bible study in the neighboring department. We had intended on starting it two months ago but the host couple lost a newborn child and postponed the first meeting. I had met this couple last November when they arrived in our area with a job transfer. What a wonderful surprise we had for the kick off last Wednesday. Thinking that there would be perhaps 6 individuals present, we were thrilled to have a dozen. This new couple are great recruiters. Judy and I both delightfully await what God will do through this Bible study. Our other Bible studies are going well as are the Sunday meetings.
Dad turns 90 in April and we are planning to be in the US for just a few days to celebrate this event with Dad and the family and also to attend the Spring Missions Conference hosted by Thompson Rd. Baptist Church in Lexington, KY. It has been 6 years since we were last at this conference. I would love to see you there.
We pray that God will meet your needs and use you as His light where you live. Please pray for us.
Proclaiming the Good News in France,
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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Missionary Update: John Mark & Judy Hatcher in France [March 2014]
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
March 2, 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Tomorrow Judy and I celebrate our 41st wedding anniversary. What an exciting life it has been. Six weeks after getting married we moved to Manaus, Brazil. I would not advise any man to begin marriage the way I did. On arrival in Manaus, I began pastoring a church and a mission, preached 14 times each week, taught 35 classes. The first class started at 7 am and the last ended at 11pm. Judy was seriously neglected but took it like a champ. She learned Portuguese taught English classes, gave piano lessons and, among many other activities, learned to cook starting with meat hacked off a beef quarter with a large butcher knife. A bit of advice to all grooms or newly married men. DON’T DO WHAT I DID!
Judy the Missionary
However, God’s grace is sufficient for His daughters who are married to stupid men. For this I will be eternally thankful. Judy hung in there with me as I grew (a little) in wisdom and has been a great team mate, lover, spouse and mother as we have served God together on 3 different continents. It has been a wonderful life!
Judy the Grandmother
Thank you for your prayers and faithful support. Though you may live at a distance, you are an essential part of what God has called us to do in France. We thank God for what He has done during the past month. We have witnessed to those who need Christ. We have spent time in one on one counseling and discipleship, Bible studies, youth meeting, Sunday school classes, prayer, outreach to lost. Sometimes we are encouraged, sometimes we are frustrated. We would like to see more disciples and quicker growth in some we work with, but God enables us to continue. You are a part of the gracious process God is using to bring others to Himself.
One thing Judy and I have learned in our wonderful life of service together is that God has many wonderful surprises in store for us. We want to be faithful and become more like Christ as we serve Him here.
Communicating the Good News in France,
John and Judy Hatcher
4, rue d’Aspin
31170 Tournefeuille, France
JMHatcher[at]aol.com
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