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.

6 days and counting

Well, we're six days out from departure and I am pumped.  I just know that God is going to be at work, as he promises in Isaiah 55:10-11: 

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven

and do not return there but water the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,

giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

For those who have no idea what I am talking about, let me explain.  This summer, I am joining a group from Briarwood to work in Northern Ireland for a couple of weeks partnering with local churches on their Holiday Bible Club (the British equivalent to our Vacation Bible School).  The first week we will be working at the Ballinderry and Maze churches and the second week we will be working at Castlereagh.  A lot of time and preparation has been put into this trip on both ends.  Here's a little of what we are preparing for:  We will have five ballet girls performing in schools the first two mornings, and then everyone is helping out with teaching, leading music, or doing the sketches and puppets.  

Of course, our time over in Northern Ireland won't be consumed by all work.  Every day we have different outings planned from shopping trips in the city to "hill walking" to visiting a castle and other activities.

Please pray for our team and the people we are partnering with in Northern Ireland.  Some specific things that I ask you to pray for: 

-good health for all the team members, both leading up to and during the trip

-traveling safety, we have several people departing and arriving at different times

-that we would remember what we have been preparing (and for those last minute preparations, learning lines)

-for the people at the churches who are preparing for this event

-for the children and youth of the communities that God would even now be working on their hearts

-that we would allow God to work in us and through us

-for all the glory and honor to go to God

One last thing, I have linked the official mission team blog up to mine.  Please take some time to also read it once we leave for Northern Ireland (as of right now, there is just a "test" post, but I am told that it will be updated with pictures and text regularly when we're on our trip).  There is a good possibility that the official group blog will be updated more regularly than mine, since I have no idea how much access I will have once I'm over there (of course I will try to update regularly), but the other blog will probably be updated by phone.  

Thank you for your prayers.

In Christ,

Elise Marie