The team at Stormont! We got a full tour...and even got to sit and sip tea with a couple politicians:)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
June 21~Monday
The first day of holiday bible club was a huge success! We had 89 children (or more) show up!
-Leslie
Sunday, June 20, 2010
~Photo Safari~
Some of the photos from our Photo Safari in Rathfriland. This was a fun night. Each team got a list of places they had to take pictures in front of as well as things we had to be doing in he pictures such as jumping, impersonating animals, and acting out a move scene! (Ours was the Cat in the Hat with the twins as Thing 1 and Thing 2, which I thought was very cleaver:)
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Week 1
Things have been absolutely wonderful this past week. Everyone
arrived at Rathfriland at 12 on Saturday where we met the pastor we would be
working with, Philip, ate a wonderful lunch, and met our host families. I
can say without reservation, that the hospitality we are shown here is
unsurpassed. If anyone would boast of southern hospitality they just need
to meet the families from Rathfriland First Presbyterian. I have been
floored this entire week by their love and sacrifice to house us and to feed us
and to transport us to the church every day. I am reminded day in and day
out of Matthew 25: 34-40:
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
On Sunday the team took part in the church service. Howard preached from Revelation 7. After the service everyone went out to a church picnic. Many of us, locals and the Briarwood team, went for a short hike and were refreshed by a brief shower.
On Monday we went up to the North Coast where we visited the Giant's Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. The weather was perfect, it was sunny and warm. I was reminded that God is the ultimate artist. He made all the beautiful sights that we saw. He formed each rock, each cliff, he made each color and texture. I was in awe. While we were across the bridge on the island at Carrick-a-Rede we had our group devotion. Chad reminded us from the story of Mephibosheth that it isn't our situation, our circumstances that define us. God knows our name and he calls us to him regardless of where we live or if we have physical handicaps, or whatever. It was a fantastic reminder as Monday evening was our kick off at the youth drop in center. Sometimes it is hard not to define those who come to us by what we see or what we hear, but God knows each by name. It has been a real burden of mine to pray for each of the youth who come in, no matter how they present themselves. At the youth drop in center we had World Cup night and Andy spoke to the group and shared the gospel.
On Tuesday we went into Rathfriland High School where we spoke in classes all day. One big difference between the schools in Northern Ireland and the schools back in the states is that we were able to go into the classes and share our faith (and these would be public schools). I really enjoyed this part of the week. Standing in front of the students just felt so natural, and being able to tell them about my faith and why I am in Northern Ireland now was awesome. We also used that time to invite the students to the drop in center each evening. Tuesday evening we had sports night with the youth. We played a couple of games that I had never even heard of such as Halo (which I really cannot explain because I still don't fully understand it) and Danish longball. We also played football (you know, soccer) and human tic-tac-toe. After the games we walked back up to the drop in center and Philip presented the gospel.
On Wednesday the team spent the early afternoon at the Mount Stewart gardens. There was nothing really scheduled, we had four hours to walk around, take pictures, do personal devotions, and relax. It was well needed downtime. That evening with the youth we did a photo scavenger hunt and Amy gave a talk and presented the gospel.
This morning, Howard gave a counseling seminar. This evening we had messy games night with the youth at the drop in center. I am pleased to say that the starbursts that my students provided for this mission trip were put to use as they were hidden in a large bowl of baked beans. (We were divided up into four teams tonight and one person from each team had to fish the starbursts out with their mouths, the person who retrieved the most withing a certain time limit won. I was the brave soul for my team, and the very last person to go. Unfortunately my team didn't win, but I'm sure there are some good pictures out there. Don't worry, we still have more starbursts to use next week to give out as prizes when we do Holiday Bible Club.) Philip again gave the talk and presented the gospel.
Continue to pray for our team. In the morning (and actually it's 1 a.m. now as I post) we will be going into the primary school (elementary school) to again talk with the children and share our faith. I really cannot express how wonderful it is that we get this opportunity. Pray for us as we figure out what we will say. Pray for the children that they will hear the gospel and see it presented through the team members. Pray for our last night at the youth drop in center. It is especially our prayer that some of the youth will be very open with us and ask questions (even the important, tough questions). And last, but definitely not least, pray for the volunteers who are committed to the drop in center week in and week out. Pray for strength and encouragement and for the follow up that they will have to do when our team leaves for Ballynahinch on Saturday.
Elise Marie
arrived at Rathfriland at 12 on Saturday where we met the pastor we would be
working with, Philip, ate a wonderful lunch, and met our host families. I
can say without reservation, that the hospitality we are shown here is
unsurpassed. If anyone would boast of southern hospitality they just need
to meet the families from Rathfriland First Presbyterian. I have been
floored this entire week by their love and sacrifice to house us and to feed us
and to transport us to the church every day. I am reminded day in and day
out of Matthew 25: 34-40:
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
On Sunday the team took part in the church service. Howard preached from Revelation 7. After the service everyone went out to a church picnic. Many of us, locals and the Briarwood team, went for a short hike and were refreshed by a brief shower.
On Monday we went up to the North Coast where we visited the Giant's Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. The weather was perfect, it was sunny and warm. I was reminded that God is the ultimate artist. He made all the beautiful sights that we saw. He formed each rock, each cliff, he made each color and texture. I was in awe. While we were across the bridge on the island at Carrick-a-Rede we had our group devotion. Chad reminded us from the story of Mephibosheth that it isn't our situation, our circumstances that define us. God knows our name and he calls us to him regardless of where we live or if we have physical handicaps, or whatever. It was a fantastic reminder as Monday evening was our kick off at the youth drop in center. Sometimes it is hard not to define those who come to us by what we see or what we hear, but God knows each by name. It has been a real burden of mine to pray for each of the youth who come in, no matter how they present themselves. At the youth drop in center we had World Cup night and Andy spoke to the group and shared the gospel.
On Tuesday we went into Rathfriland High School where we spoke in classes all day. One big difference between the schools in Northern Ireland and the schools back in the states is that we were able to go into the classes and share our faith (and these would be public schools). I really enjoyed this part of the week. Standing in front of the students just felt so natural, and being able to tell them about my faith and why I am in Northern Ireland now was awesome. We also used that time to invite the students to the drop in center each evening. Tuesday evening we had sports night with the youth. We played a couple of games that I had never even heard of such as Halo (which I really cannot explain because I still don't fully understand it) and Danish longball. We also played football (you know, soccer) and human tic-tac-toe. After the games we walked back up to the drop in center and Philip presented the gospel.
On Wednesday the team spent the early afternoon at the Mount Stewart gardens. There was nothing really scheduled, we had four hours to walk around, take pictures, do personal devotions, and relax. It was well needed downtime. That evening with the youth we did a photo scavenger hunt and Amy gave a talk and presented the gospel.
This morning, Howard gave a counseling seminar. This evening we had messy games night with the youth at the drop in center. I am pleased to say that the starbursts that my students provided for this mission trip were put to use as they were hidden in a large bowl of baked beans. (We were divided up into four teams tonight and one person from each team had to fish the starbursts out with their mouths, the person who retrieved the most withing a certain time limit won. I was the brave soul for my team, and the very last person to go. Unfortunately my team didn't win, but I'm sure there are some good pictures out there. Don't worry, we still have more starbursts to use next week to give out as prizes when we do Holiday Bible Club.) Philip again gave the talk and presented the gospel.
Continue to pray for our team. In the morning (and actually it's 1 a.m. now as I post) we will be going into the primary school (elementary school) to again talk with the children and share our faith. I really cannot express how wonderful it is that we get this opportunity. Pray for us as we figure out what we will say. Pray for the children that they will hear the gospel and see it presented through the team members. Pray for our last night at the youth drop in center. It is especially our prayer that some of the youth will be very open with us and ask questions (even the important, tough questions). And last, but definitely not least, pray for the volunteers who are committed to the drop in center week in and week out. Pray for strength and encouragement and for the follow up that they will have to do when our team leaves for Ballynahinch on Saturday.
Elise Marie
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Prayer Requests 6/8
Well our team is about ready to go. Leslie and I will be the first two to arrive (we leave tomorrow), followed by Jenny on Friday, and the rest of the team on Saturday. Please pray for safe travels for all of us. Pray for our preparation, and pray for the churches in Rathfriland and Ballynahinch.
~Elise Marie
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