October 2018 Prayer Letter

October 2018
Dear Friends,      

At the end of July, we had a very good revival conference with Brother Jones.  The Lord used the Word of God in a direct way in many folk’s lives.  It was just what we all needed.  Brother Jones has been a tremendous blessing and a great friend to us and the ministry.  He has a heart for Ireland and a heart to encourage the missionaries here in Ireland.  

The kids started school in September with Kaleb entering7^th grade, Kari going into her senior year, Kaley working on college courses for teaching special needs kids, and Karissa continues her course work in music and is teaching harp and piano lessons.  Everyone is busy.  In the middle of September Lisa had to go to Switzerland for the 2^nd phase of her jaw surgery which involved a major sinus lift on both sides and some serious bone grafting to the upper jaws.  The prep work that she had to do prior to the surgery was well done.  The surgery went very well.  Lisa then had to have some follow up treatments over the next 8-9 days followed by rest.  She is coming along quite well.  We are thankful that she by God’s grace did not have any major swelling or bruising to her face.  Lord willing the final finish up work will take place sometime in the spring.  

On the ministry front we have had new man coming to visit the services. He needs to be saved.  Also, the Lord has brought us a couple different folks who struggle with some serious problems in their lives.  Issues such as discouragement, depression and suicidal tendencies are some of the major burdens that we have been trying to help folks with recently.  One of our ladies experienced the loss of her mom to cancer.  This has been very hard for her.  Lisa and I have put a lot of time and effort into the lives of the people God has given us to work with.  Pray that God would help us to be effective for His glory.  Our church attendance has been rather good, and we did not have a big loss during the summer months.  

We are currently working on our Christmas Gospel gift packets.  Our tract design is nearly finished, Lisa’s sister and nephew are here helping with making the ornaments and some other projects and then we simply put the packets together.  We also received word that two crates of Bibles personalized for Waterford Ireland along with our contact details are in Dublin port clearing customs and will then be delivered to us.  Pray with us for these outreach tools to reach the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Pray as well with us for Lisa’s continued healing and that the Lord would give us wisdom, health and strength in the work of the ministry which He has given us here.  Thank you for your faithful prayer and support for our family.  A special thank you to Faith Baptist Church in Avon Indiana for providing funds for some audio/visual equipment for our church.

“For we are labourers together with God…” I Corinthians 3:9

May the Lord find us faithful,

Don and Lisa Thatcher & family

July 2018 Prayer Letter

July 2018
Dear Friends,  
 
“The Emerald Isle has not been so green as of late; Ireland is currently undergoing a historic drought, with some areas of the normally damp island experiencing the least amount of rain in some 160 years.” (smithsonianmag.com)   During the past year, Ireland has experienced extreme weather--A category 3 hurricane, Ophelia, struck Ireland on 9 October 2017. It killed three people and did huge damage.  On 1 March 2018, the worst snow storm in 36 years hit the country. It led to a Status Red snow and ice warning being put in place because of blizzards in many counties. Now, a drought with little or no rain for nearly 8 weeks up until this past week.  The ground is as hard as concrete.  It is a point of interest to note that this heat wave settled in upon Ireland right on the heals of the historic vote to repeal the 8^th amendment which protected the unborn from abortion.  There have been several significant changes in Ireland over the past couple of years.  The latest is a 52-page document outlining a LGBTI+ national youth strategy: https://www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/20180709LGBTINationalYouthStrategyRev.pdf

“I am delighted to present the first Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex (LGBTI+) National Youth Strategy in Ireland and the world. It is informed by the views of thousands of young people and those who campaign on their behalf.” Dr Katherine Zappone TD Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Ireland

Jeremiah 50:38 says, “A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.”  Though we still have water available here in Ireland, restrictions have been put into place which will likely go into the Autumn.  The effects of the dryness will not just impact the farmers but the population in general, ultimately, at the grocery store. 
A spiritual drought has immediate and far reaching affects.  There is dryness across the land of Ireland.  Don’t misunderstand me; God is doing some great things in the midist of it, but my heart’s cry is with David as he cried out, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is Psalm 63:1.”   Ireland needs a great awakening to the truth and salvation that comes from God.  We as the saints of God need a good stirring and revival in our hearts to the truths of God.  Today, we begin our revival meetings with Evangelist Bob Jones.  Pray with us for the Lord to do a great work in our midst, and that we in turn, would be a greater impact on our city.  Pray for another lost person to trust Christ.  Pray for spiritual victory in the battle that is going on in the lives of some of our folks.  Thank you for your continued prayer and financial support concerning our ministry here in Ireland.

May the Lord find us faithful,

Don and Lisa Thatcher & family