June 2011

Hello Everyone!!!
What a great month! I couldn’t wait to update you all with recent events. We were blessed to host Jesse Duplantis and his lovely wife, Cathy, in May. Instead of trying to give you the report anew, I thought it best to cc you a copy of the letter I sent to Cathy last week. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Dear Sister Cathy and Brother Jesse,

Heather and I wish to thank you for your visit to the Republic of Ireland and to Galway. The meetings were FANTASTIC! It was truly a privilege to be able to host you both, as well as your wonderful team. To have that many people in a Christian meeting in Galway is truly remarkable... only those that labor in this field could understand and fully appreciate that. Also, I have never seen that many ministers and preachers in one meeting in my 15 years of pastoring in this beautiful country. What a blessing!

Also, Brother Jesse prophesied of a 'crack' in the heavens over Ireland while he was here saying that 'everything was about to change'. To follow up and fill you in, the Queen of England was here right after you guys left. It was a truly momentus event... historically and spiritually significant. She has never visited Ireland and the undercurrent was still extremely turbulent the days prior to her arrival with many claiming that it was still premature (when would it ever be appropriate, she is 84 years old). The complex relationship between the two nations was completely renovated with the Irish, who are NOT taken with royalty, truly being taken with everything... and they were the perfect hosts, as well. To see the leaders walking together as peers revolutionised the way the Irish look at the English, and themselves! The Queen went to two very important sites that are sacred to the Irish: Island Bridge (the memorial to 50,000 Irishmen who have died serving in the British army) and Croke Park (the sight of the Bloody Sunday massacre where British military opened fire on the crowd at a sporting event in the 20's). At the state dinner that evening, she stole away with the Irish heart by opening in Gaelic, a language banned by the English for many years, and offering (as close to) an apology as has ever been spoken by any English authority offering empathy and “regret for the things that have happened, as well as those that didn't (like helping during the famine).”

It was as if there was a national sigh. We know that there is no forgiveness where it is never sought... the offending brother must return, repent (even if 70 times) and seek forgiveness before it can be given (Luke 17:3,4). Since it was never sought, confessed, it was never released. Ireland has carried this burden for many generations. It was as if a healing balm was poured over the land. And it was immediately subsequent to Brother Jesse's prophecy that everything was changing from that very day... it has. The two nations' leaders reconciled on behalf of their people. It was an amazing sight. Now I believe that the Irish church and people can begin to experience amazing answers to prayer by fulfilling the Scriptures:
Mar 11:25- 26 “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

After receiving a call from Jesse’s UK office manager about how much their ministry enjoyed my letter, he shared his perspective, from the English side, which opened up a whole new thought to me. To my note he said, “Yes, it was as if we were released, as well.” I then thought of another verse Jesus preached from the sermon on the mount. He said,
Mat 5:23-24 “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

It was truly as if both nations were blessed, healed, and released from a horrible past.
Thank you all for your love and support. It has been a privilege serving here during these amazing days.

Kevin and Heather