Friday, June 15, 2007

End of May 2007 update

This update is from my wife, Lisa this time around.
God bless, Don Thatcher-Ireland

Dear Friends,
During this time of year in Ireland, many children are participating in First Communion and Confirmation. There is a very big emphasis placed upon this with Ireland being 92% Catholic. One of our girls' friend, who is a believer, was faced with being one of the only children in her class not to be participating in First Communion this year. When a child is facing First Communion there are huge parties given. The child is given huge amounts of money and gifts. It is a very big day for all involved. We had been praying for Ellen that she would be okay with not participating in the activities that go on at school for this. Also, we were looking for a way to celebrate the fact that Ellen had accepted Christ within the last year and had been baptized. The Lord placed an idea in my heart. We would have a tea party of Celebration of Salvation. We decorated with crystal dishes(that I found at a garage sale) and with a heart tea set. We had other decorations with hearts on them, also. Everything was circled around the fact that our girls and Ellen had much to celebrate because they had asked Jesus into their heart. We began the tea party with a devotion reviewing what it means to be "saved". We then had a singing time of their favorite songs. We decorated cards and made a heart bracelet with their names on it. We, also, made some homemade soap. At the conclusion of the party, I presented each girl with a sterling heart necklace. (These I had been able to get free by using my points for a local grocery store that I had saved for a year.) This necklace was to symbolize that each girl had asked Jesus into their heart. We emphasized that the Lord would never leave them nor forsake them. It was such a very special day. I was just thrilled that the Lord laid this on my heart and that I got to be a part of it. The world always has ways to celebrate what is important to them. We have a much bigger reason to celebrate. Praise the Lord for the gift of Salvation. I just wanted to share this simple idea for those who may be looking for a replacement idea during these Catholic holidays and celebrations.

Also, since arriving here in Ireland, the Lord had impressed on my heart the need of encouraging one another as missionary wives. Recently, another missionary lady here in Ireland and I, began a ministry of encouraging the ladies on the island through handmade cards. We began sending birthday cards, anniversary cards, notes of encouragement, etc. to the different missionary wives here. Most of our cards are done using the Stampin Up stamps. I was told that this month many of the stamps that are in the catalogue will be discontinued. If any distributors are not going to be using some of their discontinued stamp sets and would like them to be used in this area of ministry, please let me know. There are a few children ones especially that would be a great help because we also send cards to the missionary children. Several times I have been asked if there is something that could be done to help in areas of ministry that I participate in. This came to mind. If you are able to help in this area, please just let me know. Also, before mailing any, please check to make sure I haven't been sent any stamps of the same kind.
Many thanks for all you do to be an encouragement to our family. We sincerely appreciate the birthday cards, anniversary cards, and other notes that we receive. I pray that in some small way I am able to be an encouragement to the ladies that are here on our island of Ireland.

Thanks a Million,
Lisa Thatcher
Psalm 139