Tuesday and Wednesday

Everything going well here. Tuesday we started Holiday Bible Club at Ballinderry. We saw several returning faces from last year's club. The teaching and the skits were good. For sight seeing they took us out to Hillsborough Castle, the place where the queen stays when she visits Northern Ireland. Chad arived safely and joined us in Maze. Speaking of Maze, the HBC went much better than Monday night.
Wednesday I gave my talk at both Ballinderry and Maze and everyone says that it went well, so thank you for your prayers on that. For sight seeing we went out to Downpatrick Cathedral, the supposed burial place of St. Patrick. We also walked around the town.
As far as prayer requests go, continued prayer for the HBC and for strength and good health. I personally am worn out right now so pray that God will give me not just strength to get through the day, but strength and energy so that when we have our HBC it is not evident that I am weary. Also, pray for relationships that are being established, that we would make the effort to build relationships with the children here.
Thank you again for all the prayer so far. I definitely desire your continuing prayer. Oh, and I did upload four pictures to Facebook, so please have a look (because of child protection laws I cannot put up pictures of any of the children we are working with, but I can put up pictures of the scenery so that's what I've given y'all).
In Christ,
Elise Marie

Monday

Went into the schools today. The team that went to the Ballinderry schools had some technical difficulties but everything worked out in the end. The team that went to the Castlereagh schools had two good assemblies. Afterwards, we had a picnic lunch in Hillsborough. Then we toured Hillsborough Castle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillsborough_Castle) and had coffee in Hillsborough. And of course Holiday Bible Club started at Maze PC this evening. Everything went well, considering it was the first day. Everyone who had roles up front did well and the groups all got along.

Tomorrow we start Holiday Bible Club at Ballinderry. It will be basically the same as what we are doing in Maze. Please pray that we will have a good turnout. Also, Chad is traveling to NI tonight and will join up with our team tomorrow, pray for safe travel for him. Finally, we will be continuing HBC at Maze so pray for everyone who has roles up front and all the group leaders. Praise that everything went so well today and for the nice (warm) weather (although some of us would prefer it cooler).
In Christ,
Elise Marie

Sunday

Well, it's the end of the day here. I (and the rest of the team) really appreciate your prayers. A quick update about what we did today.
This morning we went to the Ballinderry and Maze churches. We (the American team) were introduced and invited the children (or the "wee ones") to come to Holiday Bible Club this week. Rebecca and Bethany played violin during the offering and Josh preached from Philippians 3:3-14. Afterward, we had a picnic with our host families (but it was wet so we ate in the church hall). After lunch the weather cleared and we went out to Hillsborough Lake for a walk and games. This evening we went back to the church for a time of Prayer and Praise followed by a Potluck supper (they sure are feeding us well) and planning.
Tomorrow we go out into the schools (the kids have school until Tuesday) to share the gospel and invite the kids to Holiday Bible Club. After that we will go out to Hillsborough Castle (if you don't know what that is you should really look it up). Then in the evening we begin Holiday Bible Club at Maze. Pray that all goes well in everything we do tomorrow.
I still haven't been able to get the pictures off my camera, but my camera battery is charged! I will work on getting the pictures off and perhaps tomorrow I can upload them to Facebook and this blog.
Thank you again for your prayers!
In Christ,
Elise Marie

We have arrived

Arrived all safe and sound in Dublin. Everybody is exhausted, but made it to Maze PC and to a BBQ tonight. It feels like I have returned home and it doesn't seem like a year has passed since I've been here last.
Some of those Elise moments:
-forgot to charge my camera battery before leaving and when we got to the site of the Battle of the Boyne my battery died and I only took four pictures.
-forgot Wellies and scarves--good thing we have nice weather here
-after a refreshing shower went to the BBQ and was attacked by a swarm of green flies. It seemed like they were only attracted to me and ignored everyone else. Probably shouldn't use Gardenia body wash aymore. Those are pesky flies.
Please pray for everyone's health and a quick recovery from jet lag. And of course, pray for tomorrow's worship services.
In Christ,
Elise Marie

At the Airport

Sitting at the Birmingham Airport with the whole team.  Everything going well so far.  I did not find my inhaler, but I did get a refill from the pharmacy today, so I'm set.

Pray for safe travel.

In Christ, 

Elise Marie

Leaving Tomorrow :)

I just wanted to leave everyone with our memory verse for the Holiday Bible Club:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; and do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

~Joshua 1:9

Please keep us in your prayers.

In Christ,

Elise Marie

Need to Find

Pray that I will find my inhaler this week (it's MIA).  I kind of need to have it on the trip.