Happy Christmas!!

Hi all just a quick note to say Happy Christmas and Happy New Year and to thank you all for your support especially over the last year! love charis xx

Elders appointed in Tramore Bible Church

Ian and Daniel being appointed as elders of the church
(front row on the left is Ian then Jonathan is in the middle and Daniel is on the right with other deacons and  missionaries in the back)

Last Sunday a new stage was reached in the life of Tramore Bible Church, 2 elders were appointed. Ian (is a local man) and Daniel (an E.C.M missionary). Jonathan (in the middle of the picture also an E.C.M missionary) has been pastoring the church for the last 5 years (i think), he and his family are moving to the west of Ireland in July next year and Ian and Daniel will take over this role, with a period of transition time before Jonathan leaves. It was nice to be there to witness this and to be part of the next stage of the church.

More visitors..

Mum's Christmas tree

Hi all I am sure you are busy getting ready for Christmas, as I am, I'm a bit late with things this year as I am only writing my christmas cards today the 15th December!
I did get a tree for my house in Tramore, a very small one and even though it was small I still had trouble getting it into a stand and there are only lights on the tree as i didn't what to go unpack my tree decorations!
I also went home to cork for a few days to help mum with her tree and decorations as you can see she has a properly decorated tree not like mine. I will be at home in cork for Christmas so i will get to enjoy it then.
Last weekend I had another friend come to visit, Áine came down from Dublin and it was good to see her and catch up. We went into the winter festival again and then watched christmas movies in the evening. she brought me lots of pressies too which is always nice, but not necessary if you come to visit me.

Aine comes to visit 

Commissioning

Hi all I just want to let you know I will be having a commissioning from my church Grosvenor road Baptist Church  http://www.grosvenorbaptist.org/ on the 13th January 2013! The commissioning will be part of the morning service at 11am and then there might be something small in the evening too at 7pm (but I am not sure about this yet). You are ALL welcome to come along that morning to officially send me off into the work here in Tramore ! I will start work here in Tramore about the 8th Jan 2013!

Visitors

  Well the past 2 weeks I have been unpacking as I knew I had to be ready for my 2 friends (Eileen and Claire) coming to stay this past weekend. I just about got finished; there are still a few boxes to open and I have yet to do the finishing touches, such as putting up my pictures!  I had a lovely weekend with my friends and we had a great time catching up, playing singstar, checking out the local take aways and exploring the area. We went into the Winter festival in waterford on saturday and we had a great time at it too. I have another visitor coming this Saturday (Áine) and there are plenty more things to see and do when she gets here.

I am good to go (or at least to stay)

Hi all as you know the council met Tues night and they were going to discuss my finances (among other things) . I just got the good news that the council is happy to release me for service in Tramore (to start in January). Thanks to you all for your prayers and sacrificial giving and thanks especially to God for His provision. 

I still need your prayers and financial support but Praise and thank God with me for His provision, it seems extra appropriate as it is thanksgiving today too!!!!! 

Back in Tramore

I am back in Tramore after a week and a half up north. Mum and I went up for my nephew's 2nd birthday and then I stayed on to share at some of the E.C.M prayer fellowships. It was great to share my story with and meet some of the faithful prayer supporters of the mission; it was an encouragement to meet these faithful prayer warriors. I stayed with my friends Jenni and Robert when I was up and it was great to spend some time with them (although I often snuck in late at night when they were in bed) and great to eat lots of Jenni's fab cooking too! I was also able to meet up/catch up with some friends and supporters including some missionary friends which was great. I also went to the E.C.M offices a couple of times to chat with Lourdes (she looks after the accounts) and to chat with Charlie (director of the mission) about the finances. The council meets on the 20th Nov and Charlie will present the accounts to them at that stage please pray they will have wisdom as they look at the accounts and as they consider approving me to start in January. The accounts are looking healthier than they did a few months ago but there is still a bit more to get. I thank God for His continued provision and I thank those who are praying and those who are giving, if you feel you would like to give please let me know ASAP (if you can) so I can add it into the accounts for the council (you can get the money to me later).
I arrived back to a VERY windy Tramore (the weather is calmer today) see the picture of me on the beach the other day!!
Now I NEED to sort my house I have visitors coming in 2 weeks so I need to get it in order for them but there are always way more exciting and interesting things to do!! I still have not unpacked very much at all and I need to get myself sorted out. Thanks for your continued support and prayers thanks Charis

What's going on ....

Hi all sorry I have not posted anything for the past 2 weeks, life has been busy!!  I was in cork last week helping mum with jobs around the house as she is still recovering, she had an operation and has not been allowed do housework etc for 6 weeks. I also brought my sister and her boyfriend to the airport in Dublin as they are going travelling and then emigrating. I am back in Tramore now catching up with things and getting ready for the next thing :)  I go up north for my nephews 2nd birthday this weekend and then I stay up to speak at some European Christian Mission Prayer meetings.It will be good to meet some of the faithful prayer supporters of the mission and also to also catch up with some friends and family when I am up north too.
God has been continuing to send money my way for my financial support and I am so thankful to Him and to you for listening to His prompting and giving sacrificially. The mission council meets on the 20th Nov please pray they will have wisdom when discussing my finances and that I will get the go ahead to start in Jan be it part time or full time. Thanks for all your support charis

Power Point and Eikon art

Flannelgraph

Saul on the road to Damascus

Hi all just a quick entry to let you know about a site I used when speaking in Bandon recently, as a children's worker I need to use alot of visuals when speaking and in the old days I used drawings or books or  flannelgraph  (none of these are wrong to use and I still use all of these visual aids too) but increasingly I use a projector and computer as there are so many exciting things you can show, do, prepare yourself and adapt to your needs and audience. When speaking in Bandon I was searching for visuals for some of the stories I was telling and I bought and used some from the following site http://www.eikonbibleart.com/.  Have a look it might be something that you can use too and they will even give you a free power point of 'the road to damascus' so you can try it out first. There are Loads of stories and resources to be found so check it out.

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Now I need to unpack!

The last few weekends I have been speaking in churches (Ennis and Youghal ) about the work I hope to do here in Tramore, it has been great to fellowship with these different believers around the country and to catch up with old friends and make new ones! I was also in cork for a few days last week to help mum out, as she is still recovering from a small operation doing all this has meant I have not been in Tramore for the last week so when I moved my stuff in I just dropped it here and have not unpacked anything yet ! This week I need to unpack some stuff and start getting my self settled into the house (making it my own) apart from not being able to find anything i can't have any visitors at the moment as the place is a disaster!!! I also have some more practical things to do this week too such as sign up with a new GP etc
I hope by the next time I write an update i will have sorted myself out a little!!! thanks charis

Prayer letter

Hi all i emailed out my prayer/news letter yesterday if you did not get it and would like to please let me know, I have put the content of the letter here for you to read too, sorry it is a bit plain!!


Tales from Tramore (at last)    Number 2, October 2012

New Address :

66 The estuary, Somerville,

Tramore, County Waterford

Mobile: 0868185900

Email: Charis.tully@ecmi.org

UPDATE

Hi all just a note to say hi and to update you on my news. I moved down to Tramore in September but I only moved my stuff in last week (I was storing it on a farm in Killkenny). I am glad to be moved into my new home but now I have to face into unpacking all my stuff! Over the last few weeks I have been busy sorting things out here in the house such as my bins, gas, electricity etc, helping mum out a bit (as she recently had a small operation) and speaking at different churches. It was sad to say goodbye to my church family in Grosvenor (Dublin) but it is great that they are behind me and are sending me out into the mission field. The first Sunday I was here in Tramore there was a lunch after church for 4 of the churches here in Waterford area (hosted by the Tramore church), it was really encouraging to see SO many Christians together from the local area! I am looking forward to going up north in November for a few weeks to speak at some prayer meetings. If I get more support in over the next few months I will hopefully start work here in January. Thanks for your continued support and prayers love Charis xx

URGENT

In my last news letter I told you that the mission council were meeting in September to discuss my finances, they didn’t think I had enough financial support, so they will discuss my finances again on the 20th November. I really need more financial support before this date, please pray about this situation and if you feel led to give please be in touch. If I don’t get more financial support I can’t start!
Some people have said they would like to support me financially but maybe it has been put it on the long finger, if you would like to give, it would be great if you could do it before November. Thanks!

Support
At the moment I have about 65% pledged support but I need to have 80-90% to start, please pray that my support will increase and that I will be able to start work in January.


Speaking
I was asked to speak at a 3 day kids club in Bandon in cork a few weeks ago. I found it really hard work to prepare for it but it was great to be asked to do it and it was great to get back into kids work. I have also been speaking at churches about the work I hope to do here in Tramore.

Bookings
If you would like me to come and speak at your church, ladies group, small group, coffee morning etc please let me know and I would LOVE to come and speak about my work and the mission. Please get in touch and we will arrange a date.



Praise Points

• That I have moved all my stuff into the house here in Tramore
• That the kids club in Bandon went well
• That I have over half the financial support I need
• For the opportunities I have had to speak at churches and other meetings
• That I able to drive the van I hired to move my stuff from killkenny

Prayer Points

• For the rest of my financial support to come in
• For the mission council meeting on November 20th
• That I will fit well into the Tramore church, my house and Tramore town
• That I can start work in January
• For more speaking engagements

Well I hired a van today...and it is hugh, it seemed more like a lorry when i saw it first!!! Thankfully I managed to drive it ok and i even managed to reverse it into my drive, i am considering a career change at the moment....to a van driver!! I was very excited that it had an electric platform on the back that you could go up and down on  (i confess i went up and down a little more than i needed to). I moved some of my stuff this afternoon/eve and then daniel will help me with the big stuff tomorrow and it will all be finished by 3pm when i have to give the van back thanks for your prayers more needed tomorrow as i drive it again thanks charis

4 weeks already!

Hi everyone it is hard to believe I am here in Tramore for 4 weeks now (it feels like just a few days) well this week has been productive - - I went to Killkenny and got some of my stuff including some of my clothes which were very needed as I had lots of summer clothes with me as I packed my case in August! I also got my wheelie bin (I actually had to physically go get it in the end as they never delivered it), I ordered my broadband (I got a landline in the package too which is working already, let me know if you want the number), I unpacked the stuff I got from Killkenny and I checked out the cinema in waterford on fri night (very important to do). This week I am hiring a van to go and get some of my furniture from killkenny and I have roped in one of the guys (Daniel) on the ECM team here to come and help me, poor guy! I will try and get as much as I can when i have the van (tues afternoon till wed afternoon) and hopefully I will be fully moved in by the next time I write an update.

I was at Tramore bible church again today and it was good to catch up with people I met already and to meet more new people too. I am going to be in Ennis Evangelical church next Sunday and will stay the weekend with my good friends Avril and Dave wade. I also have a meeting with Jonathan (field team leader here in tramore) and Charlie Anderson (director of ECM Ireland) next sunday eve so I will be busy on Sunday.
Please pray for safety, strength and energy as Daniel and I move my stuff this week and pray for me as I speak in Ennis next weekend and for the meeting with Jonathan and Charlie. thanks Charis
p.s photos are of my house and of the beach a couple of weeks ago before the rain came!!

3 weeks on

Hi all I am back in Tramore since very late last night/very early this morning. It is a cold,wet, grey day here in Tramore. I had a busy few days in Cork looking after mum and doing some housework for her etc as she is not allowed to do any at the moment, she is feeling alot better now but is very tired and has to take it easy, it was hard to leave her last night but I have to try and get myself organised and get my stuff moved into the house here before it is christmas (i have yet to decide when to move it). Today I am doing all the things that need doing such as washing, ironing etc but I will also take it easy as am feeling a bit wrecked from the last week!

Two weeks on

Hi all thanks for your prayers last week...I was in Bandon last week and here is the update; the ladies meeting and kids club went well (I think) there were about 15 at the ladies meeting and I got to share with them what I am hoping to do here in Tramore. There were about 65 at the kids club and we had a great time together on the fri eve, sat am and sun pm  (they brought parents on the Sunday eve too) I spoke about the Olympics and sports in the bible we talked about David and his sling and then his friend Jonathan and his archery then on the last night we talked about the Olympic rings and used the colours to tell the gospel story. I also spoke on the Sunday am in church to the kids and also to the adults re the work i hope to do here in tramore so i had a busy few days! It was great to renew old friendships and make new ones too, thanks to the church for inviting me.
 On Monday i took my mum up to Dublin at 5am as she was going up to have a small operation, she was very ill the night after the operation and i ended up staying with her in the hospital all night thankfully she is doing much better now but she is very tired and has to take it easy for 6 weeks so i brought her down to tramore with me and she has been here the last 2 nights I will take her home to cork tomorrow and then i will stay a few days and do a bit of housework for her as she can't do it at the moment. I have yet to decided when to get my stuff from killkenny i was going to get it next week but i am not sure now as the ploughing championships are on nearby and the roads will be crazy for a few days. thanks for your continued support love charis

one week on...

Hi all I have been in Tramore for a week now and I am settling in well. I had my first sunday in Tramore Bible Church TBC (as a local) and it was a good first sunday to be here as after church there was a lunch for TBC and 3 other churches calvery, waterford baptist and the waterford brethern, it was great to see so many local christians from these different churches squeezed into the one room enjoying each others company and some good food too.
I have not moved all my stuff into the house yet as I have been preparing for a 3 day kids club I am speaking at this weekend in Bandon, I thought I would concentrate on the preparation and get my stuff later.
I must admit I found lots of distractions from doing my preparation and I found it very hard to know what to speak on but thankfully it is coming together now! Please pray for me as I speak at the ladies group in Bandon tomorrow morning (Thursday) and then as I speak at the kids club on Friday evening, sat morning and sunday evening and I will also do a small children's slot and a slot on what I am going to do here in Tramore on the sunday morning too. I will be heading to Dublin then for a couple of days as mum is going to have a small operation on Monday an then i will bring here here to tramore to see my new place and to recover. thanks for your continued support Charis

I am in Tramore

Hi all just to let you know I have arrived in Tramore!!! I arrived down here late Sunday night and have had my first 2 nights in my new home. The sunshine has arrived here too, to welcome me!

I had my last Sunday in Grosvenor on Sunday which was sad but it is great that they are behind me in prayer and sending me into the mission field.

I have been doing things like changing the electricity into my name, going to the local dole office to sign on here and unpacking. I am enjoying having a sofa, a real bed and hot showers (after my indoor camping).

 I do not have internet yet so if I do not get to update this blog much in the next few weeks you will understand.

I am speaking at a 3day kids club in Bandon on the14^th, 15^th and 16^th September so I need to start preparing for it. I still have most of my stuff in storage on a friend’s farm in Killkenny and I am not sure I will go and get it at the moment as I want to prepare for the kid’s club first.

Please pray for me as I settle in and as I prepare for the kids club thanks charis 

Last week in Dublin (the big smoke)

Well it's my last week of living in Dublin, it is hard to believe I have back living here in Dublin for the last 6 years!!! How time flies! When I am about to leave Dublin (I have left several times before) I always begin to think about the great things Dublin has to offer such as shops, cinemas, museums, galleries, restaurants, theaters and parks. Now when I am in Dublin I hardly ever partake of these things (time and money are usually my issue) but I like to know I can just pop out to them at a moments notice if the notion takes me! I have been trying to see and re-see some of the sites of Dublin over the last couple of weeks before I leave again such as the National museums and Glasnevin cemetery. I have also been trying to catch up with friends (and sometime I have been combining the 2) whom I will miss when I leave too (sorry if we didn't manage to get to meet up).

I am heading down to Tramore this evening to get the keys of my new house and to start moving in these are exciting and scary times, Tramore seems very small compared to Dublin but that might be a good thing!!??

I have my last sunday in Grosvenor road Baptist church this sunday which will be hard too, please continue to pray for me as I move out of the Big smoke and as I move church too, please also pray for me as I work out the details of moving my stuff from Killkenny to tramore the next part of my big move thanks.

Indoor Camping

 I have moved out  of the house I lived in for the last 3 years on Sunday and now I am in temporary accommodation. I am staying in a nice house in Dublin it belongs to my church, the senior pastor and his family were living here up until just over a week ago but they have moved to England now to work with a church there. The house is completely empty there is nothing here apart from a cooker and a rug and a table and the hot water is not working either so it is like camping indoors as I am sleeping on a camp bed and siting on a sun lounger :-) I was wrecked after the move and clean up but I have been able to rest a bit over the last few days and now I am meeting people and going to see some of the sites of  Dublin before I leave. It was my birthday this week too and I had a nice day in Dublin with my friend Claire and the sun was shining that day too which was nice. I will go home to Cork for a few days next week too which will be nice and then I have to move again :(  I am not looking forward to the move but I will be glad to be moved in to my new place. 

The Move

Avril driving the van

 Well most of my stuff is now in Killkenny at Avril's uncle's farm, we had a busy time over the last 24 hours lifting, shoving, stuffing, packing and unpacking and after 2 trips to killkenny and thanks to Avril, Claire, avril's uncle robert, Jonathan, Aishing and their kids my stuff is moved the first leg of the journey to Tramore. I am now cleaning up the house and packing the last few things I have. I also got keys today for a house that I am going to stay in for the 2 weeks I am homeless!! I will be camping out in a house here in Dublin that belongs to Grosvenor road church, it is empty because our senior pastor John Samuel and his family left today for a new job in England, they will be missed. When i say camp out I mean it as there is NO furniture in the house at all there is a cooker and there is broadband but that is it! but it is a roof and 4 walls and it is more than many people in the world have. Thanks for your prayers and thanks to all those who helped yesterday and today.

On the Move

Sorry I have been missing for the last few weeks but there has been a reason....PACKING! I have been packing for the last few weeks and now I am getting ready to move my stuff. The last few weeks I have also been trying to sort out what is happening for the next few weeks as I need to be out of the house here in Dublin by the 13th Aug but then I don't get into my new place till the end of the month so there are a few weeks where I have no fixed abode! The plan at the moment is to move stuff  with the help of Avril and David Wade (and maybe some other friends) tomorrow Tues 7th to Kilkenny, Avril's uncle has a room I can use to store my stuff and Dave Wade has a van so we will move what we can tomorrow and then on Wednesday I might move some of my furniture into the house in Tramore (when I have the van and extra hands). Then depending on how much stuff I have left here in Dublin I will decided what I do next (Avril and dave might help me move stuff on wed too if needed).
    Please pray for the move tomorrow for strength, energy and safety for all who will help and please pray for me over the next week as there are lots of things to do and lots of decisions to make too. I am not sure where I will stay for the 2 weeks that I am homeless but I will try and stay in Dublin but thankfully there are a few options. Thanks for your continued support love Charis xx

New support total!

Hi all just to let you know I have passed the €20,000 mark in my support raising, thanks to you and God's help. I still have a bit to go especially as some of the money that has been given is a once off gifts, due to the economic climate people do not know how their finances will be in 12 months time. As i plan to stay in Tramore  for 2 years to begin with and maybe long term if God guides me to stay then the mission prefers to see giving that is regular and not once off but i think any giving is GREAT and I thank God for guiding you to give and for you listening to God's voice, thanks.

The youth of today..

I am supposed to be packing but everything seems so much more exciting and urgent when you have packing to do...so I am avoiding packing just now to write something on my blog.... 
     I have been at home the last few days packing (or avoiding packing) and have been listening to the radio whilst packing and I was stuck by the events that took place at the concerts in the phoenix park last weekend. For those of you who don't live in Ireland and don't know what I am talking about there were concerts here in Dublin last weekend in a big public park. There was alot of anti-social behavior on the sat night when the Swedish House Mafia were playing; there was open drug taking, fights, drunkeness, fornication, 7 people were stabbed some of these people are in a critical condition and one guy has died.          There has been lots of discussion about 'the youth of today' how they do not respect authority, they do not respect themselves, they are hedonistic, they do what they want and do not care about the consequences. There have been many discussions about how parents are not setting boundaries at home, they are not instilling respect for those in authority and they are letting their children get their own way all the time which is leading to this anti-social behavior. There has been outrage and disbelief about the behavior of the young people.Some have said the young people are seeing this behavior all around them and so why would they act any differently; they see it from the politicians of this country (lies, cheating taxes, drinking etc), from their parents (drinking, no respect for police, cheating at taxes etc) from their peers and from the television.
      I have been thinking about these things as they have been discussed and I have been stuck at the great need there is to work with the children and young people here in Ireland. They are crying out for meaning and love.They are trying to fill the emptiness inside with drink, drugs and sex. They are LOST. They are searching for meaning in all the wrong places, at the bottom of a glass, with the opposite sex and at the high of a hit. They need boundaries (which God gives us in the Bible) , forgiveness, and meaning which comes from knowing they have been created by God and are here on earth to serve Him and one another. 
There is alot of work to do and it scares me to think of how best to interact and reach these children and young people who NEED to know God loves them and who NEED to know His forgiveness. Pray for those working with young people here in Ireland as it is tough work and Pray God will be at work in the young people of Ireland.

Prayer letter

Hi all just to let you know I wrote a new prayer letter the other day if you didn't get it in the post or via email  and would like to receive it please let me know

Packing, packing , packing ....

Well I am trying to pack up my house here in Dublin at the moment and it is very stressful especially as I have too much stuff and too little time to go through it all and pack it. I am still not sure when I will be leaving Dublin so I am trying to pack up by the end of the month in case I need to leave by then. Apologies in advance if I don't get in touch or don't see you before I leave Dublin but please understand it is nothing personal. If I am in Dublin till the end Aug I will have loads of time to see you all. Please pray for me as I pack and as I try and organise things such as somewhere to store everything, hiring a van etc. 

I have a House!!!

Just to let you all know I now have a house to move into in Tramore! I was down last week and I saw 3 houses one of which belonged to a christian couple who are working with a church in Spain. The only problem is that they are home for the summer and do not go back to Spain till the 28th of Aug and I was going to move out of Dublin the end July, I am hoping that if things work out I can stay here in Dublin till the end of Aug but if not there are a few other options. Please pray things will work out so I can stay here in Dublin till the end Aug as that would be much easier for me.

House Hunting update

As you know I was to go to Tramore today to see a house but unfortunately I got a phone call on Monday to say the house was gone already, I really liked the look of the house online but it was obviously not meant to be but I am a bit sad about it :-( I only got back from the North of Ireland yesterday so I am happy to be at home today to do a bit of housework and to look for more houses online....the search continues!!
I had a great time up north speaking at the Beach Missions preparation evening on Friday night, the Coffee with Charis fundraiser on Saturday and then the European Christian Mission prayer meeting in Dunmurry on Monday night. I also got to spend time with my brother and his family and to play with my nephew!

Thanks

Thanks to Jenni and Robert and to everyone who came to the Coffee with Charis fundraiser on saturday. Jenni baked beautiful cakes as did Robert's mother. The fundraiser was a great success and we raised £430! Thanks to EVERYONE for their generosity and special thanks to Jenni.

House hunting update

Just to let you know I did see a few houses in Tramore last Monday and I am going down again this coming wed to see a few more, I hope to pick one at that stage and then the job of packing starts!! thanks for the continued prayers as I decided what house to pick

Going North

This weekend I am heading up North to speak at a few meetings and to see friends and family
Friday: I will speak at the United Beach Missions preparation and prayer evening (I used to be on beach teams in Tramore alot back when I was young)
Saturday: Jenni and Robert are hosting the coffee with Charis findraiser
Monday: I will speak at the Dunmurry E.C.M prayer meeting

Please pray for these meetings that I will speak clearly and that many will want to pray for the work of E.C.M in Tramore and beyond and that some might be led to join my support team too.

House hunting

I am down in Tramore this weekend and among other things I thought I would have a look at a few places to live when I was here, I saw 2 places on Friday one was too small and the other was too old. I hope to see some more tomorrow before I leave Tramore but things seem to be a bit more laid back down here so I am not sure I will mange to see anything so quickly. I leave my house in Dublin the end July and as this is very soon I am not sure if I will have a place to move into by then or the time to look for somewhere so I am thinking through the options such as putting my stuff into storage and taking a bit longer to find a place to live.Please pray for me as I think think through my move and the practical details involved.

Wet and Windy Tramore

Hi all I am down in Tramore this weekend visiting the team here (and having lots of nice dinners), discussing plans for my move and my role, visiting the church and looking at some houses (so it will be a busy weekend). The weather is dreadful here at the moment very very wet and windy but nevertheless it is great to be down meeting, greeting, seeing, eating and talking.

Coffee with Charis Fundraiser

Coffee with Charis Fundraiser

When: Saturday, June 23
Time: 11:00 AM -3:00 PM
Where: Robert and Jenni Smyth's house, 33 Clonlee Drive, BT4 3DA, Belfast
Who: friends of Charis, those interested in missions, anyone who loves baked goods!
What: Come along to Robert and Jenni Smyth's house to have tea/coffee with Charis and hear first hand about the missionary work she's preparing to do in Tramore.
Find out how you can help support and encourage her in her ministry to children and families.
Enjoy sampling some delicious baked goods which will be available for purchase (all proceeds going toward Charis' missionary work).
Just drop in when you can between 11:00 AM and 3 PM on Saturday, June 23 and stay as long as you like so that you can hear about Charis' ministry, enjoy some treats, and purchase some baked goods to support Charis' work in Tramore.
Hope to see you then!

Update from Charis

Hi all, sorry it has been a few weeks since I last posted anything on here. I was away for a few weeks on holiday with my mum, I am back home now and trying to catch up on everything.
   Thanks so much to those who have been in touch recently wanting to support me in prayer and financially because of your generosity I am now half way towards the total finances needed for my move, thanks SO much! My church Grosvenor Baptist church also took me on as church missionary which is GREAT too.
   My hand is nearly better but is still not 100%. I am speaking in Douglas Baptist church this Sunday 10th and then the following weekend 15th-17th I am going down to Tramore for the weekend to meet the team I hope to work with and to get some things sorted before I start. Then the next weekend 22nd -25th I am up North as my friends Jenni and Robert are hosting a coffee morning for me on Sat 23rd and then I am speaking at an ECM prayer meeting on Monday 25th in Dunmurry I am also starting to think about packing up my house and moving so there is lots to do! Please pray for me as I am so busy over the next few weeks, thanks Charis x

How is my hand?

Hi there just to update you on my hand.....I had surgery 3 weeks ago it is still sore but I am back driving and the wound has healed well. I still need to take it easy for another few weeks so I am going on holidays and when i get back i will hopefully be back to normal and can start packing up my house and getting ready to move.

What's with the paper dolls???

Hi I am sure you were all wondering whats with the paper dolls on everything.Well here is the idea behind it...
# As paper dolls are made by kids it is to remind you I am involved in children's ministry
# As the paper dolls are holding hands it is to remind you that we as Christians need to support one another and I really need your support at this time as I start my new job. I NEED your support through prayer and financially. Please continue to pray for me and if you would like to get my prayer letter in the future and/or to support me financially please let me know.

Taking it Handy

Hi all I had my surgery just over a week ago now and my hand is 

coming along well (i think). This photo was taken a few days after the surgery so i still have a big bandage on in the photo but that is off now and I just have a plaster on over the 3 stitches. I go to the hospital for follow up on tues and to get the stitches out so I will know more then.

Giving

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (New International Version)

The collection for the Lord’s people

8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. ² In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. ³ For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, ⁴ they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. ⁵ And they exceeded our expectations: they gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

I was reading these verses today and thought I would hare them with you. They are a challenge to us all.

Ask yourself these 3 questions...

What prompted these Macedonian Christians to give?

What is striking and challenging about their generosity?

When they gave who were they giving to?

Thanks

Just to let you all know I have reached the €5000 mark in my support raising!! Thanks so much to all who have committed to supporting me so far but as you can see from the map above there is a long way to go to get me to Tramore! Please continue to pray that God will provide and please think and pray about how you can help too.

Surgery

I am going to have a small surgery on my left wrist this Friday 13th, Please pray all goes well and that my recovery goes well too. I won't be able to drive for several weeks (up to 6 weeks) so the roads will be safe for a while. I am planning to go away on my holidays for a few weeks during my recovery time too.

Snail Mail

You should have received some snail mail from me recently or you will get it this week or next.

Enclosed you will find my prayer card and a flyer which tells you what work i hope to do and how to support me financially and in prayer. Please don't throw it in the bin, read it and pray about the role God wants you to play. I can't go unless you give and pray. Thanks in advance.

Skype Conference call

I will take part in my first conference call via skype this evening. Since my support group all live in different parts of the country we decided the best way to meet was in cyberspace, hopefully it will work and we will get lots discussed and decided upon.

Money, money, money

Hi all I thought I would just clarify something for you.....As you can see from this blog i need to raise €30,000 before i can go to start my new work in Tramore, this does not mean i will earn €30,000! The money goes to ECM (european christian mission) and then they will pay me an amount per month (from which i need to pay for materials needed for work, mileage etc), the rest goes towards a pension, to a training fund and to mission admin costs so after i pay tax the total i get will be more like €20,000. If you have any more questions to ask about this please feel free to ask thanks.

I now have my first official financial supporter

Hi all i just wanted to let you know I now have my first official financial supporter !! thanks you know who you are:-) I will be posting out prayer cards and support forms in the next next week or so...watch out for them and if you don't get one let me know. Thanks for your continued support Charis

Support Group

Hi all I hope you are enjoying the warmer weather we are having at the moment, the sun and the daffodils are great at lifting our mood. This afternoon I am meeting several people who I have asked to be on my support group(to support me whilst I raise support). Charlie the director of the mission is coming and friends are coming from Cork, Ennis, Belfast and Dublin to discuss how best to support me, thanks in advance to my support group for coming this afternoon and to you all, my bigger support group, thanks!

Orientation weekend

from left to right me (Charis), Karen Inch, Matias and Susan, Charlie (director of ECM Ireland)and Miriam Anderson, Tanya and Charlie Deering

Just to let you know we had a good orientation weekend in sixmilecross. Charlie and Tanya Deering are raising their support at the moment and are going to Spain in August. Mathias and Susan are looking into ministry possibilities in Portugal for the future;Mathias is studying in Belfast Bible college at the moment. Karen Inch has been back and forth to Kosovo for many years and is thinking about future ministry possibilities there too.

Orientation weekend

Hi all just to let know i am heading to the north this weekend for an ECM (European Christian Mission)orientation weekend. It will be held at Miriam and Charlie Anderson's house (Charlie is the head of ECM in Ireland)Please pray it goes well and we all learn alot. thanks charis

Photos of Tramore beach