March 31, 2001

 

 

Foot and Mouth Disease

 

Well, the worst fears of many here have been confirmed. There is an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Co. Louth, near the border with Northern Ireland. This is devastating news to the Republic of Ireland, and the effects on the economy will be equally devastating. Already, there is a slowdown in tourism into Ireland. The St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin was canceled, as well as all sporting events. Hiking trails are closed and off limits. It's pretty bad. The "Celtic Tiger" economy may well be history if further outbreaks are found. In no wise do I want to seem uncaring, but this may just be what turns the hearts of the people here to our God. We are praying for a real revival here; a revival that will sweep thousands and thousands into the family of God. Please pray with us.

More Blessings

L____ and K____ called on the Lord for salvation at our home on February 15th. I had the joy of baptizing K____ on Sunday, March 25th. She was really ill that day with the flu, but came to both services on Sunday with L____. We held her baptismal service at the Monkstown public pool just prior to the evening service. The following Tuesday evening, Linda and I attended K____'s birthday celebration at L____'s parents home in Santry. Most all of his family were there, and we were received very warmly. He showed the video of K____'s baptismal service, and nobody even threw us out of the house! His family are very committed Catholics. Their wedding plans are still up in the air. He is trying to get a priest involved in the outdoor ceremony without it being an officially sanctioned Catholic wedding.

My Mother

I received word on Thursday, March 29th, that my mother's health is failing rapidly. While staying at a nursing home, she developed a large bedsore, which led her to be hospitalized. It reached stage 3 or stage 4, which means that the wound was down to the bone. Doctors told my brother that she has basically just lost the will to live. She is not eating. Linda and I will be flying to Michigan as soon as we can catch a flight. She will be 92 on April 16th. She was saved on Sunday, April 6th, 1970, while attending my baptismal service. Please pray for her and our family.

Thank you for standing with us in the Lord's harvest in Ireland.