Wonderful Divine Interactions
Missionaries John and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
June 11, 2020
Dear Fellow Disciples of Jesus,
Walking with Jesus is fruitful, instructive and corrective. It is also delightful. This is God’s will. He wants us to rejoice in Him. Your present circumstances are probably quite different from what you would have imagined a year ago, but the illnesses, crises and wrongs of the world in which we live to not limit our Heavenly Father one iota. Furthermore, He has made you and me “the light of the world.” What a privilege!
As you read about some of the wonderful divine interactions in our lives this month, think about God’s interventions in your life and let us give thanks together. Feel free to send us an email telling us about the delightful moments God has given you.
A couple of weeks ago, Judy and I were trekking along the walk in front of the local grade school. The lower corner of the Stars and Stripes were caught on the top of the flag pole and the flag was in danger of ripping. My fix-it personality drove me to attempt a salvage procedure. As I was working at it, a teen aged young man rode up on his bike and asked if he could help. I readily accepted the offer. We were determined, but our efforts were unsuccessful. As we were parting I introduced Judy and myself and he informed me that his name was Adam.
“In Hebrew that means Man.” I volunteered. “You’re the man!” “He was the first man.” Adam answered. “Very good, do you know the name of Adam’s wife?” “Eve.” By now a conversation was taking place with this slim young man that we had seen from time to time on his bike as we trekked. “Adam, you seem to know a lot about the Bible.” Adam, with great passion and enthusiasm, then launched in to his story. This young man of 15, who I had initially guessed to be about 13 told about being born in Beijing where he lived at the age of 8 or 9 in an orphanage. He got to go to some activities carried out by volunteers of an NGO. “You know, you are not allowed to talk about God in China. They told about Creation and Noah. When it was time to eat, they said, ‘now we are going to thank God for our food’. That’s crazy, I said to myself. But, that night when I got back to the orphanage, I got down beside my bed and prayed – God, if you exist, I want to be adopted. The next morning, my nanny came to me and said, ‘you are going to be adopted.’ They adopted my brother and sister too. The next months were really hard because the other guys beat up on me.”
By this time Judy and I were weeping (as I am now) as Adam passionately told about how the Heavenly Father gave him a home with other siblings along with his two biological siblings. And, he continued, “I need to tell everyone about Jesus because Jesus is coming back.” Awed in the presence of God, I asked Adam where he went to Church. “Faithway Baptist Church where the the pastor is Pastor Russ.” Wow, Pastor Russ was a student of mine several decades ago. Once, when we crossed paths (just before we went to France, I think) Eddie Russ told me that I was one of the most influential people in his life. I hope that was for good. It was just a reminder that the God who is at work in you is at work everywhere! You never know how the lines will cross in this beautiful picture God is drawing.
Well, I would like to tell you about time spent with Nancy and Jason, from a disastrous, lamentable background, who believe that God brought us into their lives, exchanges with Michael, who wants someone to just help him know how to walk with Jesus daily, our conversations with Russ, the self-confessed, “Deist”, the hours of conversation with the fellow in France who wants to learn English who is very open to the gospel … and … But, its time to sign off for this month. Thank you so much for your prayers and help. Please, keep on praying because without Him “we can do nothing.”
May God’s delights fill your heart today!
Your fellow trekkers for Jesus,
John and Judy
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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Opportunities Arise as You Walk with Jesus
Missionaries John Mark and Judy Hatcher have been serving the Lord in Tournefeuille, France since 1999. They define their ministry as “disciple-making.”
September 3, 2019
Dear Co-Laborers in Christ,
I am sitting in the glider on David and Dulce’s porch listening to the cicadas. God’s wonderful creation even in its suffering state is absolutely amazing. Judy and I had the enjoyment of time with our grandchildren while David and Dulce celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. We were able to come to Chicago to spend time with our children and grandchildren because Peggy, Judy’s sister is doing much better. Thank each of you for your prayers on her behalf.
In Evansville, Indiana, this past month we also spent time with Philip, Amanda and our granddaughters from France. Our oldest grandchild, Abigail, began her first year studying to be a Physical Therapist. We will certainly miss her as a missionary in France, but God continues to guide her as He does each of us giving her the privilege of being His light at the University of Evansville. Philip and the rest of his family are now back in France.
David & Dulce with their family
John & Judy with some of their grandchildren in Chicago
Sometimes an opportunity to share the light of Jesus comes when we least expect it. The following incident that took place this Spring near our home in Tournefeuille is an example. Judy and I were on our daily trek when we came alongside a young lady who was walking her dog of a rare breed. We commented on the beauty of her dog and ask her about its breed. She mentioned that she had seen us out trekking before. This led to a conversation about where we were from and her volunteering that she had been to New York and was impressed by the multi course meal that she ate there. I was impressed, considering the fact that meals in France usually have many more courses than American meals.
Her features led me to ask if she was of Italian descent. You know, New York, big meals… She then said that she was Jewish and was in New York visiting distant relatives at the time of a religious holiday. This led to discussion of Judaism. She told us that her family was non-practicing but that her mother named her Elliana because God answered her prayer to have a child. This led to a brief discussion of the beauty of her name and the God who loves. It also stirred my heart to prayed repeatedly about our next contact with this young lady and that she would come to trust Christ.
While in the US, Judy and I trek in parks. As we cross people or walk along beside them great opportunities arise. We have had the opportunity to witness, to fellowship with believers, hear the testimonies of others. God is always at work.
So, let us all walk with Jesus this month… and the next … and the next.
Your fellows on this journey,
John and Judy
John Mark & Judy Hatcher
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
