Christmas Newsletter

Hi all if you follow the link below you can read my newsletter in a PDF in dropbox (you do not need to sign up to dropbox to view it)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qkaby6xyac7x3jl/final%20prayer%20letter%20dec%2015.pdf?dl=0

If you not wish to view it that way you can see the text of the newsletter below

Tales from Tramore! 

Number 10

December 2015

Happy Christmas!

Dear friends, I hope this letter finds you well and I do hope and pray you have a lovely Christmas and a great New Year!

I want to start off by thanking you all for your continued love and support during 2015.

I want to fill you in on what has been happening with me over the last few months and on what I hope to do in the year to come, (there are a lot of changes and challenges ahead).

Thanks again for your love, care, prayers and financial support;  I couldn't do what I am doing without people like you standing with me! 

 ‘The Lord bless you and keep you;  the Lord make his face shine

on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace.’

 Numbers 6: 24-26

Ministry News:

I have lots of news for you as regards what will be happening with me and my ministry in 2016.

As you know my colleagues Daniel and Inge have decided to return to the Netherlands, but up until recently they were unsure when exactly they would go, they have now decided that they will leave in May 2016. Their decision to leave has implications for the church (as Daniel is an elder) and for me (as I would then be a team of one).                                               

After much deliberation, prayer and discussion we feel it is time for the church here in Tramore to try manage things without any missionaries helping out, I am sure they will find it strange and difficult but I am sure they will do a great job with God's help!

It is exciting to see the church here in Tramore take this next step but it will be hard to say goodbye (but at least I will still be living in Tramore as I don't plan to move house again at the moment). 

 As a result of this decision I am no longer going to be working with the Tramore Church and early in 2016, I am going to join the ECM team in Ferrybank/Waterford.

I am going to join the Ferrybank/Waterford team and church but I am planning to spend most of my time doing schools work in the Waterford area using mainly Bible Explorer and the amazing journey ( from time to time).

Before I start this next role and take on new challenges I have requested some unpaid time off in Feb and March to refresh, recharge and for part of the time I will help my mum out with some practical  things at home. On my request I won't receive my normal allowance for these 2 months but it would be great if you can continue to send your gifts/support as it will be kept for me and it will also help build up my support fund (which has been running a little low).

There are lots of changes and challenges ahead of me in 2016 but thankfully we follow and trust the God who NEVER changes!! 

News:

Summer clubs:

Last time I wrote was just before the summer clubs started,  we ran a football club and a minion club and both went well and we had new kids at both.

Club: 

Kids club has been back up and going for the past few months and continuing to meet every second week.  We have been learning about the Bible and have also been learning the names of the old testament books.  There have been about 11 kids coming along.

I am not yet sure what is going to happen with club when I leave but in January I will chat with the other helpers and see what we can come up with.

Church: 

As there will be a lot of changes in church over the next few months and a Transition committee has been appointed to think about roles and to decide how and what ministries the church can continue etc

Handover: 

As a team we have been compiling a list of the jobs we do here in church so that when we go we can hopefully handover these jobs and roles to others. The transition committee will discuss and think about what can be kept on and/or who can take on these jobs and roles.

Christmas activities: 

We have a few activities planned over the christmas season: Dec 19th carol singing in 2 local nursing homes and Dec 20th Carol service in church

Shoeboxes:

I was helping out with the team hope shoebox appeal over the last few months and over 4,200 boxes of presents went from Waterford to needy children in Romania see www.teamhope.ie for more information

Deborah:

In the last few weeks my friend Deborah and her 2 boys Favour and Joseph were granted leave to stay here in Ireland, they have been living in a local direct provision centre/refugee centre. They now have to try and find a house and work and hopefully they can stay in Tramore but they are delighted God has answered their prayers.

Birthday Celebrations: 

I turned 40 in Aug and celebrated with  friends and family  in Cork, Limerick, Tramore and Northern Ireland. Thanks to many who celebrated with me in person and thanks to you all for your cards and presents.

New York: 

Thanks to your generosity (for my birthday) I am going to New York with my friend Eileen for a few days over New year's eve!

 Praise:

·  Deborah's papers to stay in Ireland came through

·  That the clubs went well in the summer and over this past term

·  For the shoeboxes that went from Waterford to Romania

Prayer:

·     For Deborah and her boys to find a house to rent in Tramore

· For the church transition committee

·  For decisions re the future of the kids club

· For Daniel and Inge as they prepare to move

· For my move to the ferrybank church and team

· For the Tramore Church as they face new challanges

· For Daniel, Inge and I to finish up well here in Tramore 

 With love from Charis xxx

Carol service

Club christmas party

We had our last club of the term this week, here are a few photos. We played some Christmas themed games and watched a cartoon version of the Christmas story. 

Great News!!

I got some great news on Thursday night.... my friend Deborah and her 2 boys were granted their paperwork so that they can stay here in Ireland (she has been living in one of the direct provision centers here in Tramore). She has been waiting on this news for years but has been faithful in praying and trusting that God would grant her request. The next big step is to find her a place to move into so please continue to pray for her at this time thanks charis x

Shoeboxes

I have been busy helping with the shoebox appeal the last few weeks - 4214 filled shoeboxes and 400 tubes of  toothpaste went off from Waterford to Romania on Saturday morning.