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