Ballyholme sweet holme

Well what an awesome week! A massive team took on a massive task and in our weakness God made us strong. 20 people became christians and many amazing relationships were built up. Love all the guys at Ballyholme and can't wait til next year...!

As well as that I hope we all learnt to not put shaving foam in people's faces, to not shake toilet brushes at people and to not throw water inside (as I have to then scrub the walls to take away the marks.)

Brilliant banter and looking forward to more reunions. Was greating seeing the team and the guys from the teenage stuff at the pudding party...God is good and He uses those that earnestly seek Him. To God be the glory great things He has done...!

PS Please note team that I used my three famous words in this paragraph...amazing brilliant awesome!!!! Sums up the week really.

Hey guys. Guess what ... were going to Ballyholme tomorrow. Yes tomorrow, its like 20 hours away. Hope your all excited. I know I am.
I seen this verse and id just thought id share it with anyone who happens to read this before tomorrow:

"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that God can heal you. When a believing person prays great things happen. Elijah was a human being just like us. He prayed that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years! Then Elijah prayed again, and the rain came down from the sky, and the land prduced crops again." James 5:16-18

I think its absolutly amazing that just one human man can control the weather with a simple prayer. Gods power is awsome beyond our understanding. Dont under estimate the power of prayer. One man in prayer controled 3and half years of weather. Imagine what 21 of us in prayer can do. Keep praying big for Ballyholme and big things will happen.
Our God is AMAZING.

A Little Thought!!

Hey Everyone
A few weeks ago Leanne and I had the joy of serving on the DCM Junior Girls camp. We had an amazing time with lots of interesting things taking place. But during the week God taught me alot and changed me loads. As Ballyholme approaches I would like to share with you all something I learnt. No matter what we do during Ballyholme week we've all got to remember that we can't do anything on our own. We need Gods power and help in everything we do. His power and strength never diminshes. He's never to tired or to busy to help us or just to listen to us when we need to talk. His strength is our source of strength. Remember if we get tried, nervous, worried or even a little down we can call upon the Lord anytime to renew our strength. We have to hope and expect that we will recieve that strength to do his work and to impact the kids and the community for his Glory. Hope everyone getting excited about Ballyholme. Can't wait to be serving with you all.

'But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint' Isaiah Ch40v31
Pauline x

Preparation

Please pray for the section leaders and for Claire and Myself as we try to get finalised programme's and stuff together. We're trying to do a lot of communication by email as I'm still in London. I know it's not the preparation that is going to change lives but i do believe God will honour our hard work to try our best to reach out to these young people creatively and with exciting programmes. It's also important we have a right balance of work for each team member. Saying that, plans are coming together really well and my expectation for this to be an 'extra mile' kind of team is shaping up well! If anyone would like to write any thoughts our encouragement from the training day that would be brilliant to hear to keep us all encouraged about Ballyholme outreach. Cheers everybody!

'Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light...'
Isaiah 60 v1-3

Church Visit!!

Chris and I went a few weeks ago to Ballyholme Church for the Sunday Service and we had the chance to meet some of the older kids and teenagers from the church before the service. They were really friendly and encouraging, and seem to be looking forward to the team coming. We told them some ideas for the week and they made us feel welcome and helped get the excitment going about the team.
We also got the chance to speak to the whole congregation, Chris spoke about the teenage section at night and I talked about the morning sections. We just told them the sorts of things to expect during the week to try and get them excited and enthused about it, and encouraged them to all send all their kids!
It was good to see where the team will be happening and it was great to meet some of the young people from the church, really encouraging and I'm definately getting excited about Ballyholme now!!

My Aims

Hey all.
Was great to finally meet most of the team yesterday and see everyone getting on so well, so fast. I'm in the fortunate postion of having been down to ballyholme twice already so I've an idea of what the kids/teenagers are like. Now having met all you guys I'm excited. I see so many similarities and sooo much compatibility.
My vision for the teenage section is simply to get along side all the teenagers and be ourselves. The ourselves that is on fire for God in our own individual ways. The ourselves that is overflowing with love and passion for kids and teenagers to come to know God. I hope that "Light flickers from every secret motive, every private conversation". I hope that when we arrive at Ballyholme we will be rarin' to go.(Hope the country slang makes the teams much loved 'country folk' at home??). I also hope that for those of us who arrive in ballyholme a bit deflated that we would be an encouraging and understanding team who help each other out and build each other up. I'm sure we will be. My final hope is that we would all leave Ballyholme having experienced a little bit of 'heaven on earth'.

Re: The bible shop

That story of the tracts and that guy who bought jason those books in the shop is a great story. I love stories where God is seen so clearly at work. They fill me up with faith. I would encourage all of us to share any experiences we had or have in lead up to ballyholme, where God is seen at work.

Ballyholme PCI Team Thoughts

Hopes for the team:

I'm really excited about PCI teams in general this summer but especially about Ballyholme. I hope it will be a team where everyone feels valued, appreciated and encouraged. Where every member will be allowed to grow deeper in their faith and dependence on God in every aspect of their lives and witness. Allowing them to leave the team with new skills and a fuller knowledge of the love and provision of God. Also that the team would be an amazing witness to the church and children in Ballyholme. Demonstrating the compassion and power of Jesus and witnessing with lives that live up to our calling. Throughout the week I hope the children grow to understand more about God's word and how they can have a real relationship with him.

My Aim For The Team:

While on Ballyholme I will to strive to serve God whole-heartedly and place others before myself. To be an encourager and a support to other team members, seeking to do God's will in every situation regardless of the cost. To fully surrender myself to the will of God and uplift those carrying out His work. To be encouraged by all God's blessings and to continue learning more about Him every day.

Verse:

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!"

Philippians 2 v 3-8

We are servants of the King - lets never forget it.......

Bible shop

Today i went into the bible shop quickly while i'm over home for the weekend. I was checking out what literature I could get for Ballyholme for either the teenage club or for door to door/street work stuff when I guy started asking me what I was using them for. We got talking about the team and it turns out he just buys lots and then goes round peoples doors with them but for some reason he can't at the minute so offered to buy some for the team. So he showed me ones he thought was best and bought me a MASSIVE bag full of tracts covering different people and topics. Some are just like comic book type ones. I took his number to give him a ring after the team and let him know how we get on. What an amazing thing to do. Yet another sign that God's hand is really with this team. Pray big for this team because I know God's going to do big things!

Hope and Aims :)

My Hopes for the Team :

I love the relationships that get built up while on teams, so I really hope that we'll all get on really well and enjoy the banter together. And that we'll all work together, helping each other out and encouraging each other. Hopefully we'll all be willing to try new things and get involved and not be afraid of messing up. And that it helps us all to grow in our faith.

My Hopes for the Kids :

I hope the kids will really enjoy the week, but at the same time go away remembering more than just the fun they had and the games they played. Hopefully relationships between the kids and leaders will be built up, and a seed will be planted in each of their hearts and they will stay involved in the church even when the team ends.

My Aim :

This is my first time as a Section Leader, so I hope God can use me and this will give me a chance to do something out of my comfort zone. Hopefully it will challenge me, but help me build up my relationship with God and learn to trust and rely more fully on him. I also hope I will work well within the team and really get to know everyone.

Verse for the Team :

"Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work." Jeremiah 1:5
None of us are on this team by accident, we have all been chosen specifically for this team.

"I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

Ricky's Thoughts

My hope for the team:
Lots of things excite me about working in a team. Having been in teams in the past I know how awesome it is and the great friendships that build up. I guess what excites me most are the devotional times. The fellowship and encouragement for each other is always the best thing I take away.

My hope for the kids:
Hopefully they will feel at home with us, take part wholeheartedly in all the games and laugh at the drama, be inspired by Jesus and be blessed by our team.

My aim for me:
Leading a section is a new responsibilty for me, I am looking forward to the challenge and what God can teach me. Looking forward to tha mountain-top experience and that excitement that God really can do great things.

My verse for the team:
This is tough because I have no bible to hand. 2 Chor 3v17 says "where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom". That's my encouragement to all those who are feeling maybe out of their depth or overwhelmed by the challenges. I pray that God gives you his Spirit and freedom to serve and trust him.

Primary School Drop In!

Hey! News is really encouraging from the primary school dropin as well! :D I went along last Tuesday (24th April) to advertise the holiday bible club! When I got there I wasn't sure what to expect, but the leaders were very welcoming. What happens in the drop in, is the kids (around 45 - 90) come in from school and have the run of the (very abundant and impressive) halls, where they do various activities that they please. I wasn't talking to the kids until later on, so i used the opportunity to speak to some of them indiviually, but also speak to the leaders. They have many encouraging thoughts and suggestions and are willing to help in any way they can with the advertisment, including going into the nearby school in June to do a massive promo for us before the kids break up for hols!
Later on the kids all came together into the hall for a group game (very icky and lots of fun) and then I did a talk with them. I dressed up in summer clothes with lilo, suncream etc and asked what they liked about summer. Then we played a game of "beach vollyball" and i told them all about the club and the things we were going to do. I gave out flyers and the kids seemed really up for it asking questions and a few giving suggestions. Some girls said they liked to get involved in drama, which might be a good idea that may be integrated!
Everything I saw just got me so excited and the leaders and kids were so encouraging I was buzzing when I came out! If anyone gets a chance to go see the halls I think they should go up, because it really set me alight thinking about the possibilities!
That's all for now, but I'm sure I'll be speaking to you all again at a later date! :D

Rainbow visit

Chris and I had the pleasure of going to Ballyholme last week to join the rainbows for a night. As soon as we walked through the door we were greated by a big bunch of kids flocking round us wanting us to sit beside them (well mainly Chris - yes im a little jealous). They were between the ages of 5 and 7 and ther was about 20 of them. We learnt them a wee memory verse and told them how awsome the holiday bible club in the summer would be. It was great to c ther enthusiasm, they were so keen to get to know us they had loads of questions. We spent the rest of the time joining in in their activities, they quickly accepted us as if we had always been there. I was impressed by how biblically grounded the girl guides in Ballyholme is. I left even more excited about Ballyholme pci team and I'm even more confinced God has amazing plans for us as a team there. This summer we will be changing lives for God so get ready for being part of that. I cant wait!

I hope this works...I'm a bit dense about this blogging thingy!!!

My hope for the team:
That we can all work together and grow closer to God, learning things we didn't know and aquiring skills we never thought we could have! To try something different and jump out of the boat, knowing that if we start to sink, God will help us swim!

My hope for the kids:
That they will begin to understand who God is and what he can do for them. That they will experience a love that they have never known before. I would love them to have fun and know that they can enjoy themselves in God's presence and can see how exciting living a life with God in control can be!

My aim for me:
That I will work well with the others on the team. That I can be supporting, encouraging and sympathetic to the needs of everyone in the team, showing a good example in whatever I do. That I can reach out and be a good witness to all the kids and team members that I come into contact with over the week. That I can grow and come closer to God and become stronger and more on fire in my walk with him. But most of all, that I don't preach one thing to people and then act differently, that all my words will be followed up by correct and Godly actions...

My verse for the team:
"...You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove."
James 2 v 18

since jason did this i suppose i have to do it now :)

My vision for the kids in my section
That each of them will discover that God is not boring He is exciting and amazing and you can have so much fun while getting to know Him.
Gods not dead NO! He is alive

My vision for the team members in my section
Each one will go home having done and experienced something new and out of ther comfort zone that will hopefully equip them in serving God in their daily lives after they have left the team.

My vision for me
That I will become totally relient on God and any desire i have myself for the team would slip away and only Gods desires will shine through and be acheived. I will give 110% to every child and team member and teen and church member and anyone else i will come accross during the team in order to be a witness by my actions.

Verse for team
"So my dear brothers and sisters stand strong. Do not let anything move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your work in the Lord is never wasted." 1Corinthians 15:58

I guess this is my mission statement

My hope for the team:

To show people that God cares and that they need him. To do this through being an ambassador of Christ and having some craic with the people of the area.

My aim on the team:

To help encourage my team members to reach their full potential as Christian seeking to reach out to people. To help inspire them; pray for them and look out for them.

My verse for the team:

Isaiah 55:11:
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.