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