HatchersInChile

Santiago Mission Update

November/December 2007

Jeff & Penne Hatcher

Dear friends, family and supporters: We’re currently packing to go back to Santiago, Chile as our time on furlough is coming to an end. These past two months have been wonderful as we’ve been renewed by your encouragement and the powerful way that the Spirit has worked mightily in you and through you. We will be going back to Santiago revived and refreshed by the love and support that we received from you while we were here in the States. We’re sending this report to give you a taste of what we’ve been able to experience in the last two months. We arrived in the US just before Thanksgiving and were blessed with wonderful time with most of Penne’s family. Her brother, sister and their families were all able to come to Arlington for the holiday. Caleb had a wonderful time with all of his new cousins as it appears that they were all thoroughly enamored with him. Also, Penne’s mom is one of eight siblings, and so there were lots of aunts, uncles and cousins that also wanted to meet Caleb. It was fun to watch Caleb with all of these new people as it appears that he’s never met a stranger.

Caleb with his cousins from left to right, Hayden Hammit, Isabella Patterson, John Patrick Hammit, Charlsi Patterson, Caleb and Jackson Hammit

While we were in Arlington, we were given the opportunity to work with the North Davis church, teaching class and giving reports on the mission in Santiago. North Davis is one of the key supporters of our working fund for the mission in Santiago and it’s encouraging to see the genuine interest they have in the work.

After a couple of weeks in Arlington, we went to Rowlett and stayed with Jeff’s parents for the month of December. From there we were given opportunity to work with our sponsor, the Saturn Road church. We were able to teach class and meet with quite a few (if not most) of the families in the congregation. We were also privileged with the opportunity to enjoy attending a service that we were not responsible for. The need for furlough became apparent as Jeff was almost brought to tears listening to John Scott preach a sermon out of Habakkuk. It was so refreshing to hear someone else preach such a wonderful sermon from a biblical text so rich!
During most of the month of December, there was hardly a day that passed without us meeting with someone to talk about the mission in Chile. It was wonderful! Sometimes we were meeting with different people multiple times a day! The phrase most often repeated in invitations to eat lunch or dinner was, “How ‘bout Mexican?” Luckily, we love Mexican food!!! The only bad thing is that after Jeff had lost almost 15 pounds before coming to the US, he’s now gained it all back, and then some!

Also, during the month of December, Jeff’s mom had knee replacement surgery. It was a blessing that we were able to be with her during her time of recovery as she experienced a few complications with unexplained swelling, pain resulting in insomnia and a low grade fever. Although we couldn’t alleviate the problems per se, at least we were there to help a little with her initial time of recovery and to ask people to pray for her. She’s doing much better now thanks to our powerful God.

After spending Christmas with Jeff’s parents, we went down to The Woodlands and stayed with Penne’s sister and her family for a few days. Again, Caleb loved being with his cousins! We’re afraid that he’s going to suffer “cousin withdrawal” when we get back to Santiago. Please keep us in your prayers as it seems that he’s a little ahead of the curve as he enters into the “terrible two’s”.

Left - Caleb with a special Santa - Daddy

Right - Caleb and his Papaw – Steve Hatcher

Next, it was on the Cypress Houston area to spend time with Vince Miranda and his family. Vince is a member of the Northwest church in Houston and Jeff was given the opportunity to teach class in Spanish, preach the Sunday morning sermon in English and then preach a translated sermon on Sunday evening. We had a great time and it was wonderful to meet with so many who are supporters of our work in Santiago. The Northwest church is also a contributor to our working fund.

Our time with Northwest was just before the New Year and we decided to stay a couple more days to follow a New Year tradition that Vince and Jeff have developed over the years. The truth is that it’s Vince’s tradition, but he invites Jeff to have a part in it when he’s in the country. The tradition is to spend the holiday together in the kitchen, composing some rather “spur of the moment” truly gourmet dishes on New Year’s Eve and then following it up with a Spanish dish called Paella on New Year’s Day. This year they fed almost 30 people! It was wonderful food and so much fun! (Jeff blames Vince for most of his weight problem!)

After our time in Houston with Northwest, we went back to Arlington to spend a little more time with Penne’s family and the folks at North Davis. Now we are getting ready to go back to Santiago and I, Jeff, have to say that I really am looking forward to being in my bed, in my house and with my wonderful church family in Santiago. Our time here in the US has been wonderful, but as they say, all good things must come to an end.

Popa, Caleb and a longhorn (I know, I know!!) at the Ft. Worth Stockshow

Caleb reading the newspaper with his Popa – John David Patterson

We love you and thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support! May God bless you richly in every way and may His name be glorified in everything we do, say and think!

Grace & peace,

Jeff, Penne & Caleb

Jeff, Penne & Caleb Hatcher
jeff@idcp.cl; penne@idcp.cl

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

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Test - adding pictures

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Wednesday, February 6, 2008

November-December 2007

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