April 8, 2008 update

Dear Friends,
We had a good day on Sunday even with our morning attendance down a bit. One of our Indian ladies went back to India for her wedding which took place last week. One of our faithful Indian families went along with her for the wedding as well. We had another family out due to illness and one family away for holiday. But to my surprise we had a Nigerian family of 6 walk in just after I had started preaching. The story behind these folks goes back to February when my Lisa was riding back from Dublin on the train. As she was sitting there she pulled out her Bible and began to read. Shortly after a Nigerian lady walked by, and just as she was about to pass, she spotted the Bible and leaned down and softly asked Lisa if she was a believer. When Lisa said yes the lady asked to sit by Lisa for the 2 1/2 hour ride down to Waterford. Well, this past Sunday they showed up. Sunday evening was our second monthly youth service. The whole emphasis is on and for the young people although everyone is invited. Two of the visiting Nigerian children came giving us a total of eleven kids. We sang a couple of choruses, had a devotional, Bible quiz, games and a snack to follow. The kids had a grand time.

Please be in prayer for our work here in two particular ways:

1) On the 4th of May we are going to constitute and charter Anchor Baptist Church. This is something that I believe should be done sooner rather than later. This past year I have preached a lot of doctrinal type messages to help solidify what we believe as a church. We are looking forward and praying for a great day. We are very blessed to have Pastor Bob Wall from our home church, Fostoria Baptist Church, along with his wife come over for this special day and preach a challenging message to all of us at Anchor Baptist Church. Pastor Wall has been a significant help and source of encouragement to us along with our home church. We are thankful for a pastor that is in step with us (or us with him!)in our missionary service to the Lord. This will be a special day with the charter service in the morning followed by a luncheon and then our monthly youth service in the evening.

2) There has been some difficulty with the department of immigration here in Ireland. One missionary recently received a letter telling him that there was a three year time limit for missionaries and pastor following which they must depart and not return. There have been a lot of changes with the immigration policies in the last ten years but no one has ever heard of this. The missionary has gone to see a lawyer the specializes in immigration issues. There is a new bill that is in the process of working its way through now as well that has major flaws and could have serious implications for the future of missions in Ireland in the days soon ahead. Our annual registration comes due in August and we are coming up on four years here in Ireland this coming June. Be praying for the Lord to make a way when at times there seems to be no way. We need his mighty hand to lead us onward.

Thanks for your continued prayers, letters, emails, special offerings helping with the devalued dollar and most of all your love and support for our family to be here serving in Ireland.

May the Lord find us faithful,

Don and Lisa Thatcher and family