March 2008 Prayer Letter

Dear Ministry Friends,

January and February usually seem to be the most difficult months of the year here in Ireland.
The days tend to be dreary and short due to overcast skies and little sunshine along with much rain and very extreme winds. It is always a joy to see spring time come with the heather and daffodils in bloom. The bright yellow flowers on the thorny evergreen shrub called Gorse make the hedgerows come alive.

February was a bitter-sweet month. We had the wonderful joy of having Lisa’s mom and sister
come over for a week long visit with us. This was Lisa’s mom’s first visit to Ireland. We were
able to make some wonderful memories, and the kids absolutely loved having “grandma” here.
The following week brought the unexpected and tragic news of Lisa’s other sister’s husband.
This was a difficult time for our family. We just simply could not all go. After some prayer and
believing that Lisa needed to be there, we immediately booked a flight and Lisa boarded the train for the 2 ½ hour journey up to Dublin to catch the morning flight out. She boarded the plain and taxied out only to return and wait on the plain for 3 more hours to repair a mechanical failure. She missed the connection in Atlanta and ended up with a very long day. It was a very difficult time for Lisa and the family, but I believe that Lisa was able to be a help to her sister.

There were several opportunities for a witness along the way as well. In the midst of Lisa’s 2 ½ weeks away I found myself for four days in the Waterford Regional Hospital with numbness and some tingling in my right arm and leg. After many test they are still not sure what happened. One thought now is that I might have had either a viral or bacterial infection that my immune system attacked full force giving me these symptoms as a result. Anyway, I am feeling fine. For those who caught all of this news first hand via our email updates, we want to thank you for your prayers and the many email notes of love and concern. We are convinced that the prayers of
God’s people are vital in our lives.

In the past two months we have had two families visit our church. Both families are professing
believers. I am not sure at this point of their continued attendance with us. The first Sunday
evening in March was our first youth emphasis night. Everything was geared for the young
people. We had songs, a challenge from the Bible, games and a snack. Eleven young people
attended. It was a great time for the kids.

I won’t say too much concerning finances this time, suffice it to say, that the exchange rate has
simply continued to get worse. We hit 1.60 at the bank this month. The Lord’s knows all about
it. We just ask that you continue to pray for God to sustain us. Our thanks and gratitude goes out to four of our supporting churches who were able to increase their support. What a tremendous
help!

Do pray for the Paul and Bethany Smith family who are making plans, Lord willing, to join us
this summer in the work here in Waterford. Pray that their support would come together very
quickly in the next two months. They will be taking the work while we take a short furlough.
May the Lord find us faithful,

Don and Lisa Thatcher and family