Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”

May 2, 2018

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Less than two months ago I wrote, “Paulette, the oldest member of our congregation who is faithful in seeking to reach others has had many physical problems in the last 2 or 3 years. Tomorrow she will be having a needle biopsy to determine if a tumor in her pancreas is malign. About two weeks ago she called me to ask me to meet her husband at his only brother’s home. They had just entered the house and found a suicide note on the table. There has been no sight of this brother now for over two weeks.” On April 5, the day after I wrote you last month, Paulette left this earth for the presence of the Lord.

There were about 150 friends of Paulette at her funeral service. Only about a third of these were believers as far as we know. My message was a presentation of the gospel for which Paulette’s life was a good illustration. We drove 600 miles round trip the next day to have a burial service at her tomb in the east of France. The drive was an opportunity to spend some valuable time with Gilbert, Paulette’s widower. Judy, Wendy and I from the church had lunch with about 20 members of her family before the graveside service. As far as we know none of these are believers. Pray with us that God will save these friends and family members to whom Paulette was a great witness.

Paulette and one of her many church art projects.

Paulette and VBS team members.

Judy celebrated her 65th birthday organizing the events surrounding the funeral. I am so thankful for Judy who is a wonderful wife and co-worker in the ministry to which God has called us. She is also a great mother and grandmother to her natural offspring and many others.

Last week one of our neighbors stopped by to say that since we had missed the annual neighborhood dinner last summer they were planning a special dinner among neighbors with us as the special guest. Please pray that God would touch the heart of these friends and draw them to Himself. We thank God for the opportunities to have meaningful conversations about spiritual matters with our neighbors and others.

The Lord continues to bless our fellowship of believers and we are very encouraged by the interest of the thirty or so young people who come to the youth meetings.

Thank you for your prayers and faithful support,
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