It’s been several months since our last newsletter and we really have some good reports! Our July trip was very successful, eye-opening and confirming. We drove to Pewaukee, Wisconsin on July 13th, attended Joan’s nieces wedding on the14th and drove to Chicago on the 15th to catch our flight to Ireland. We left our car with Wayne’s cousin while we were gone. We arrived in Ireland on Monday the 16th. We met with all the pastors except one. The churches have had quite a year. Three have seen an increase of salvations and water baptisms. The church in Carrigaline has a new pastor whom we have not met yet.
The things we did see that we had not before were the blatant witchcraft (witches, warlocks and covens) and return to the Druid religion. This is the real thing and very demonic. There was even an article on the front page of the paper in Tralee for how the warlocks had run a Christian woman and her children out of their home and vandalized it. The Catholic Priest knew nothing of this kind of activity in Tralee. This is just a sample of the warfare Pastors deal with in Ireland. But these Pastors are the most joyful people and covet the prayers of all of us.
We also were able to interview the Irish on the street and asked them what they believed. It broke our hearts that they had no clue as to what the Bible said and who Jesus is. They were only interested in talking to us if we believed in “Our Lady” referring to Mary. They are so involved with Mary worship and then they mix in any other wind of doctrine that they see or hear about. There is a real mish-mash of beliefs that have nothing to do with Christianity or being ‘Christ-like’. There are very few real Christians (those who confess Jesus in their heart as Lord and Savior) in Ireland and for all intense and purposes, Ireland is a pagan country.
The call we have to Ireland was really confirmed on this trip by the Pastor in Clonmel. He said that the church in Clonmel was born that day in June 2000 when Joan, by the Holy Spirit, told him that God had called him to be pastor of that church. It’s a very humbling and awesome responsibility to walk in that anointing.
On November 7, 2001 Joan received her credentials from New Life Ministerial Fellowship as a Licensed Minister. Now the work in Ireland can really go forward.
We are doing a Ministers Seminar in Shannon, Ireland on December 14th. We are going to be sharing the vision of Bridges To Erin Ministries, starting the foundation of a Ministerial Fellowship and lots of encouragement with ministry and prayer time. We are looking forward to a mighty move of God in Ireland. In February Joan will be taking 3 to 5 intercessors to drive the borders of Munster Province and pray over Munster. Nothing is ever accomplished without praying it out first.
Anyone wanting to help cover the cost of these trips can click onto the ‘
CONTACT US’ for the address. We are not as yet an IRS sanctioned non-profit organization.
MONTHLY PRAYER ASSIGNMENT
PRAISE REPORT!!! A laptop computer was donated by a woman who heard about the need for one by the Pastor in Tralee. If you feel led to pray, pray for our upcoming trip and for the leaders in Ireland to make wise decisions. Pray for favor that the churches are able to rent meeting space at a fair price. The Irish are very fickle when it comes to renting space for a non-catholic church. Also pray for the Computer Project to be completed and paid for.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ITINERARY
The December 12th –16th Ministers Seminar trip to Ireland is booked. Plans are being made for a small group prayer tour in January 30– February 11. 2002. For information on the 2002 trip, contact Joan.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
To all of you who have been faithful to pray for Ireland and us and to all of you who have supported us financially. Part of our vision is to supply pastors and ministers with the tools to train up their congregations to be effective witnesses for Jesus.
God’s Blessings to all to you,
Wayne and Joan Peterson
November, 2001