April Ireland Update
Dear Friends of Hope,
Spring is in full bloom in Ireland, and it seems like there is a freshness of new ideas and hope coming with it. Our winter was tough. In many ways, it seems like our spirits were as damp and windblown as the violent winter we had experienced this year. We’ve weathered some storms, faced some challenges, and made some decisions – and the Father is faithful to continually hold hope before us.
We have experienced a busy spring so far, with much to come in the next few weeks. Here are just a few highlights:
- Brenda and I will be attending a weekend conference for Operation Christmas Child (the shoe box collection for needy children). This is a project that we helped coordinate here in Co. Roscommon last autumn. The project was received by the community with overwhelming enthusiasm, and we collected over 7,500 shoe boxes filled with gifts for needy children in Eastern Europe. Plans are already underway for this autumn.
- We are saying farewell to a new and faithful friend, Doug Gravatt. Doug is from Virginia, and he has been on assignment with his job near us since September. He has been an incredible source of encouragement and a good friend. He seems to be best known as someone who has appreciated and enjoyed every aspect of his time in Ireland and with us. We will miss him.
- Two of our interns will be returning to the states in middle May. Blair Butler and CJ Varela have been an integral part of our life and ministry over the course of this year. We, along with the youth in Galway where they served, will miss them greatly.
- Our last youth event with Plumbline will be held the first weekend of May. Our theme for Spring 2 is “Myth Busters”. We will take aim at several myths that pervade our Christian thought and search the scriptures to see what the Bible really has to say on the subject. Pray for us and this event. We have really valued our youth work in Ireland, and this event marks a change in new directions for us in Ireland.
In case you haven’t heard, our adoptions plans are underway. We have concluded the first steps in the process and are now proceeding towards official documentation and the home study. Please be praying for our future son and for us as we move forward.
Thank you for your continued faithful prayer and support. Many of you have been a tremendous blessing to us, and you are greatly appreciated. We are here because of your love and support, and that thought is never far from our minds.
Check out our blog at http://hopeofireland.blogspot.com for more information on what’s happening with us here.
Adding our love to His,
Mark & Brenda Ray
