May 22 2008 update

Dear friends,

There is pressing matter for those interested in the evangelization of Ireland and for those who wish to serve here as missionaries. We are facing huge immigration issues at the moment. As a result the government is revisiting some old legislation that has been on the books, but unknown to all and unenforced until recently. One of these is a law, which limits foreign missionaries, no matter what their affiliation, to one three year term. The traditional method for visas has been to enter the county as a tourist and then go to the Aliens Office or local Garda (police) station and apply for a stamp in your passport, which could be one year or three. The Department of Justice is now saying that after your third year you must apply to them for permission to stay in the country longer. It is still early days, but this looks like it could cause huge problems and may even result in Ireland being closed to long term missions, not just for current missionaries, but for those who are already here.

Nonetheless, we need your prayers in this matter. Each application is handled individually. Those who have had children born in the State before January 2005 have and advantage according to the present law as it makes allowance considering them Irish citizens and makes a case for the parents to stay. One couple who has been here three years this June has been told they must leave. We gave them a name of a solicitor who has presented their case to the State and because they had children before 2005 they may be able to stay.

Prayer is needed for new missionaries coming into the country. The justice department is requiring that a missionary apply to start a church BEFORE he comes. This restriction has been placed unwittingly on a couple that has been here one year. Sadly, because of this new rule, today a couple is being forced to leave the country after being here one year. They entered the country the traditional way - not applying for permission to start a church and when they did, they were told they should have done that BEFORE their entry into the Ireland. As a result they never received permission to stay. Up to this incident, no one knew of such a regulation or legislation.

There are at least four missionary families on deputation to come to Ireland. My guess is that these issues have risen because of the great influx of immigrants. No one has seen a written policy or law on this issue to get a clear understanding of the situation. The question remains what is to happen to those who leave the country for furlough upon their return?

On a wider scale this has huge possible implications. Anyone who is here on the basis of being a missionary is facing the same challenge. The fact is, American missionaries are pastoring many of the Bible preaching churches in Ireland. The vast majority are threatened by this legislation.
Again, we are in early days. Lawyers are looking into this issue. We are asking God to make us aware of every angle and possible solution that we can consider. We basically need to see either the law changed, or that God will prepare the hearts of the people in the Justice Department to be receptive to letters of application asking for permission to stay. Please don't take this prayer request lightly - this has the potential to be a very serious issue for Bible preaching churches all over the nation.

Don Thatcher~Ireland

May 11 2008 Update from Lisa

Dear Church families,

 

I personally wanted to take a moment to thank each of you who have been praying for my family as we have gone through such a difficult time in the passing away of my brother-in-law.  If it were not for God's grace and strength, I would not have been able to deal with the grief that my sister and her kids have been going through.  There were several times while I was back in the states that people would comment that they could see the peace of the Lord on my face despite the tears and sadness that we went through.   I know that many people were helping to bear the burden through their prayers.  I also wanted to thank those of you who helped with my travelling expenses.  We knew that the Lord would have me go back to be with my sister, Leah.  We did not know how we would be able to pay for the trip.  The Lord blessed and took care of it through some of you.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I would ask you to still pray for my sister, Leah and her two children, Roger and Miranda.  They are having an incredibly difficult time.  I know the Lord wants to be there for my sister and that He will bring good out of a very difficult situation if she will love God and trust Him.  If you think of it as well, please pray for me.  It can be quite hard being so far away and not being able to physically help my sister.

 

On a small encouraging note, I wanted to tell you of two particular blessings that might encourage the ladies and children of your churches.  One expense that can be incredibly high for us is the matter of toilet paper.  Putting all joking aside, the Lord chose to let us come upon a sale yesterday at a shop that we would not normally go to.  The toilet paper was buy 1 get 1 free.  In the four years we have lived here, we have never seen such a good sale.  For the 16 normal size roll package it would cost us 12 euro.  This is around $19 per package.  We were started out with just two packages.  By the time we stood in the line, we had talked ourselves in to buying 8 packages.  We saved 45 euros yesterday on toilet paper.  The clerk just looked at me with a strange look, but then when she saw the five children she didn't bother wondering any longer.  Also, yesterday when in the shop, I had seen a small slide for outside that I had wanted to get for Kaleb.  I came very close to just charging it and getting it.  The Lord encouraged my heart not to do that, and I did not.  Today, when we were outside watering the flowers out front, the neighbor lady came over to comment on the flowers.  We were a bit taken back just by the fact that she would visit with us.  Our neighbors have been very distant to us in Waterford.  She asked me if we would be interested in a slide for the kids that had once been her children's slide.  I was so excited to see the Lord provide for something that had just been a "frivolous" toy for Kaleb.  She even insisted upon cleaning it up for him.  It's quite nice, and Kaleb spent the afternoon playing on it.  She also had a Little Tikes basketball goal that she is bringing over. God is so good to provide things that we do not "need", but that will be fun for the kids.

 

I know these blessings seem quite small, but trust me, my response is not small.  God has chosen to bless our family over and over again in small(Huge) ways like this.  We are so thankful the way that He encourages our children and us as well.

 

Thank you again for all your prayers.  We are truly grateful.

 

In Christ,

Lisa Thatcher

Psalm 139

April 29, 2008 Update

Dear Friends,In my last update I had asked prayer for an older teen Irish girl that we know from Dublin. She was supposed to come down for some counseling from Lisa. At the last minute she backed out and did not come but contacted us via email and said she would plan to come again another day. Do continue to pray for her. She quite possibly needs to be saved.

On another note. We are having a charting service to constitute the Anchor Baptist Church here in Waterford this Sunday, 4th of May 2008. God has given us a good little group of people and we are looking forward to what He has in store to grow the church here. Our home church Pastor, Bob Wall, will be here for the special event and be preaching for us. We have planned a luncheon following the morning service and a youth emphasis service in the evening. Please be praying that God would bless this work as folks unite together under formal membership in the church. There are a few who are not joining at this time for various reasons. Be praying that they will allow the Lord to lead them along if He wants them to be a part of this church. We desire a church made up of people who have a serious heart's desire to serve the Lord.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

May the Lord find us faithful,

Don Thatcher