Christmas time is here and it is all around us.

Northern Ireland is no exception. I have been very busy within JIMS this month as I prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth. On the 2nd JIMS had their annual volunteer Christmas party, complete with free Chinese and a classic game of Pass the Parcel. Then on the 3rd JIMS held a lock-in with the Kingdom Youth Centre. It was a great time for the JIMS kids (who are predominately Protestant) to mix with Kingdom kids (predominately Catholic). It was great craic staying up all night making Christmas cookies, playing pool, video games and just chatting.

This past weekend was quite full as well. On Saturday night we had Acoustic Cafe in the Drop-In room. We had a few of our kids play some live music; there was hot chocolate, coffee, tea, milkshakes and tray bakes for sale. At the same time we had a concert in the Function room...Godfry Burtil. He came and held a concert/worship time for anyone 18+. Over all a great weekend.

I finally got to do some Christmas shopping. I was suppose to go to Belfast to see the light and buy some presents. I was anticipating this...

The Belfast Christmas market. With shops full of handmade goods and fun gifts.

But let's not for get this...

(To the left) The Belfast Christmas lights.

Unfortunately I missed my bus to Belfast so I had settle with Newry. Just as fun...not as big. I was able to buy some very nice gifts for my family and have a wee dander around the town with two of my girls from JIMS.

Today I have the GAP Christmas party then on Wednesday I am going to see the school musical. This year they are doing Footloose. The kids have been preparing for this for the past two month and I am very excited to see it.

Until Next time

Ellie

To recap the past few weeks....
Things at JIMS have been going as normal. I'm getting on really well with all of the kids and I feel very much accepted in many different friend-groups amongst the youth at JIMS.
Halloween weekend I got to go to Dublin to see Allie Harris. Allie and I have known each other since we were 7. We met a Christ Lutheran School/Church and we've been friends ever since. She's been an Au Pair in the Suburbs of Paris for the past year and a half. And she had some off time to travel so we met up in Dublin and hung out for a day or two.
In Dublin I got to walk around O'Connell Street and Grafton. Both are big shopping areas. I also got to wander around The Temple Bar area. That's famous for The Temple Bar and other pubs. I got to get coffee with Bailey's in it at the famous Bewley's. I was pretty bummed, I didn't get to do any major sight-seeing because it was a holiday weekend so everything I really wanted to see was closed. But it was a good weekend none-the-less.
Right now JIMS is preparing for a fundraiser for BBC's Children in Need. We are holding a Coffee Morning on Saturday and then in the evening there will be a Fashion Show/Talent Show. I have a fashion team put together with three of the kids I've been getting to know. The theme for the show is ''The Four Seasons.'' My team is doing Rainny Weather for Spring, complete with raincoats, wellies and umbrellas. Summer is a beach theme, Autumn is Turkey and Harvest Foods (Costumes naturally) and Winter is The Grinch.
I am very nervous for the show. So I ask for prayers to calm my nerves and that everything runs smoothly.

Thanks

Ellie O'Connor

So much is happening in Kilkeel. God is moving here and in everyone.
The past few weeks have been a real challenge to my faith but also a real blessing.
Northern Ireland is really starting to feel like home now. I now know most everyone in Kilkeel and they all know me...or at least know of me. I thought Stevensville and St. Joseph were tight-knit communities; they pale in comparison to Kilkeel. Everyone knows everyone and when in "outsider" is in Kilkeel everyone knows who they are.
JIMS is now in the full swing of things. We have Drop In every Friday and Saturday night from 7:30 to around 1 am. This is my favorite thing at JIMS. Basically kids, 4th year(freshman) and up, pay a £1 to get in and they just hangout. We have a pool table up stairs, an Xbox (complete with the new Fifa '12), the tuck shop, table tennis and playstation. There's also the upper-room. It's just a room with couches and people will just go up there to sit and chat. Like I said before, this is my favorite thing at JIMS. It really gives me a chance to get to know the kids, laugh, be crazy and unwind from the week.
This past weekend I got to meet some of the crew from YWAM. They are based in Rostrevor about a 15 minute drive from Kilkeel. They came and helped out with Drop In. Last night I went to the YWAM base for an open mic with a few of the youth that I work with and it was such a fun time. The YWAM crew is so welcoming and easy going, it was really nice to hangout with them and the youth I went with. It's good to get out of Kilkeel every once in a while.
While things are going so good for me there are my down times. I'm finding it hard to find people my age that I can confide in and be friends with. And I do get lonely sometimes, especially when I think of my family. I'm not homesick, but I miss my family terribly.
Pray for me
Pray that I find a friend to confide in. Pray for my family as this is a time of big changes for them. Pray that my faith and relationship with Christ will be a light leading others to a relationship with Him. Thank God for my housemates, thank Him that we get along well and we can rely on each other. Thank God that JIMS is a safe place for not just the youth of the community, but for everyone in Kilkeel. Pray that JIMS will continue to grow in Gods direction and continue to be a light for the community. Pray that I continue to grow in my relationship with God. Pray that I not be so worried about the little things.
Pray for Kilkeel.

Ellie O'Connor

Finally.

Here are some pictures of the town I'm living in.

Here is a picture of the house I am living in. It's called The Cornerstone and it's right in the church yard of the church I go to. I have four housemates, Glenn from Ohmagh not too far from Kilkeel, Jason from Chicago, Keri from South Carolina, and Peter from Belfast.

This is the view of some of the town from the park. The Mourne Mountains literally surround the entire county. You can see the mountains from almost everywhere in Kilkeel.

This is a shot of the harbour. Once again there are those mountains. Prince Charles and his wife actually came to the harbour this past Friday and the whole place was packed with people wanting to meet him.

I will try to post more pictures later

Saint Patrick's Breastplate

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness

Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today

Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,

Through the strength of his resurrection with is ascension,

Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of

Doom.

I arise today

Through thge strength of the love of Cherubim,

In obedience of angels,

In the service of archangels,

In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,

In prayers of patriarchs,

In preaching of apostles,

In faith of confessors,

In innocence of holy virgins,

In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven:

Light of sun,

Radiance of moon,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of wind,

Depth of sea,

Stability of earth,

Firmness of rock.

I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me:

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's host to save me

From snares of devils,

From temptations of vices,

From everyone who shall wish me ill,

Afar and anear,

Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those

evils,

Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my

body and soul

Against incantations of false prophets,

Against black laws of pagandom,

Against false laws of heretics,

Against craft of idolatry,

Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,

Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ shield me today

Against poison, against burning,

Against drowning, against wounding,

So that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ

when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness,

Of the Creator of Creation.

Here

Well I made it.

I got into the Dublin airport around 10:35 am on Friday. My flight was long but good and timely. My boss, Ivan, and one of my coworkers, Megan, picked me up from the airport and drove me to my new home.

So far I like everything very much. My house is very cozy. It's right next to one of the churches and right across the street from a chippy and a convenient store. I have my own room and bathroom and an excellent view of the church yard and street. From my house, a walk to work is no further than 10 minutes and that's if I'm walking slowly.

My first day here was slow. After Ivan and Megan dropped me off at my house, which they call the Cornerstone, and showed me around they left me to unpack and unwind.

Yesterday two of my housemates moved in and I was able to explore the town and it is gorgeous here. I discovered from my house it's about a 5 minute walk to a bakery, ice cream shop, small grocery store (Like a Walgreens), Pound World (Dollar Tree), and Gordon's Chemist (sells shampoo, soap, meds, ect.). I walked down to the harbor, which is about a 20 minute walk. On the way to the harbor I found the main grocery story called ASDA that is about 15 minutes from my house. I found another Gordon's Chemist, a tea room/cafe, Neptunes Cafe, and a Chinese restaruant. Keep in mind on the way to the harbor I passed about 5 or 6 chippies and I intend to try them all...

I will upload pictures of the town as soon as I can. It really is very beautiful here. There's this park overlooking the sea that is only a 10 minute walk. And looking back at the town from the park I can see the Mourne Mountains surrounding the town. Truly breathtaking.

I will update more later and try to post pictures in the meantime.

Ellie O'Connor

Today

I leave from Chicago at 5:10 and should arrive in Atlanta around 8ish. From Atlanta I leave at 9:35 and should arrive in Dublin around 10:30 the next morning.

I am freaking out today. I ask everyone for prayers that the flight will go smoothly and timely. I haven't been on a plane since I moved back to the US from the Philippines when I was 5. I am very nervous about flying. Pray that I will be able to sleep on the plane. I also ask for prayers for my family. I am and have always believe that it is easier to leave than to be left. As hard as it is for me to leave my life here in Michigan, it is even harder for my parents and sibblings.

I am so excited for everything that awaits me.

God knows how to take care of me

Ellie O'Connor

Ten, Nine, Eight....

Ten days until I take off.
I would like to thank everyone who has supported me with their contributions.
My Visa was issued to me last week and today I began sorting through my clothes and packing.
Lots of weeding through item I can take, can't take, what I want to take....I am pretty limited in the space I have to bring things.

Decisions, decisions, decisions....

I ask for prayers as I say goodbye to lots of friends and as my packing and sorting continues.

Ellie O'Connor

Picking Up Speed Now

Hello summer!
Sorry I haven't updated in a while, but good things have been happening all around me.
My grandma is here in Michgan staying with my family for a few weeks and it is so good to have her here. It's so cute watching her and my mom together! Last Saturday I went to Chicago to see Florence and the Machine in concert. It blew me completely away. Florence and the Machine live was very much a spiritual experience for me. The music, the lights, the drums, the harp, her voice, her movements...it all reached me in such a personal way. I could feel the music from the tips of my fingers to the ends of my toes. So that was a very good thing for me.
I bought my plane ticket for Ireland. My official departure date is August 25, 2011. I'm flying into Dublin where Ivan will pick me up and take me to my home in Kilkeel. I also filled out my Visa application and all of that checked out. I have typed out my letter for donations and so at this point I just need to mail the letters out and raise the money.
I am very anxious and excited. I hope I can make my last two months in America good ones. My goals for the coming weeks are:

• Spend time with people who want to be with me.


• Try to bottle up the Michigan sunshine within me. I'll be facing lots of rain in Northern Ireland


• Be with my family as much as possible.


• Clean out my room and start packing.


• Buy a rain coat and rain boots.


• Go to Chicago and enjoy the free Monday night concerts.

The reality of what I'm about to do/am doing has really started to hit me in the past few weeks. I'm asking for your prayers and support as I face lots of goodbyes in the next two months and as I anticipate the plans God has for me.

Thank you

Ellie O'Connor

Last week Tuesday my mother went to visit my grandparents and help out with my grandpa. When she was about two hours from where they live she received a call from my grandma saying that my grandpa had passed away. Apparently he was having a really good day, his roommate and nurses said he was making jokes and talking to everyone, he even got up on his own that day. But during his PT he passed out and the doctors were not able to revive him. It was a blessing from God that my mom decided to go to visit my grandparents when she did, if she hadn't been with my grandma during this past week it would have been too overwhelming for not only my grandma but for my mother as well.
I ask for thoughts and prayers for my family during this time. This whole things sucks and everyone is sad and grieving. We were all very close with my grandpa and we all miss him.
The memorial service for him won't be until May 7th. Pray that I have the strength to make it through the next few months. This is all very sad and frustrating.

Ellie O'Connor

Let the Games Begin...

The interview last week couldn't have gone better! I met with Ivan and Megan last week Thursday on Skype and we had a half-hour long interview. Friday, I got the confirmation email from them telling me 'Welcome Aboard!' So I celebrate! And pray to God for the courage and His grace as I begin to hardcore fundraiser. I have right now in my bank account about $2,800...give or take a little. I need to raise $7,000 for my Ireland trip, but my personal goal is $10,000. That way I'll have some financial cushion while I'm there. So here is my schedule of things I need to do:

1. Set up my Visa


2. Write a mass letter asking for prays and/or donations to send out


3. Send out said letter


4. Start organizing my room/possessions to make the packing process easier along with that make a list of what I can take and what I'll have to buy once I get to Kilkeel.


5. Read the books on Uncle Dan's book list (will explain more)


6. Pray pray pray!

I sent out an email to my father's side of the family telling them the good news and I am overwhelmed by the response. My Uncle Mike (Dad's older brother), who is a pilot, sent me his and Aunt Cheryl's love and offered to try and upgrade my flight for when I go...he's talking Business Class OH YEAH! My Uncle Dan (Dad's younger brother) is a professor at California State University in Long Beach and he goes to Ireland at least once every year with a class for a semester to study the literary history (I believe, I'm not completely sure but i know its for Irish literature). Anywho, he sent me an AMAZING book list of fiction, history, poetry, and a nice movie list too. Everyone has just been amazing and super supportive! I am so thankful for a family like mine.

Ivan mailed my contract which I should get in few more days. Once I to sign that I can then get my Visa all set up and ready for my travels.

Before I leave for those who read and are willing please pray for me...

• School is ending and I am very anxious to be done. Pray for me to focus and keep learning.


• Work is very frusterating for me. Pray for me to keep heart and my focus on my finacial goals ahead.


• My grandfather is not doing well. He keeps getting sick and he is still very weak. I am scared for him and my grandma. Keep them and my whole family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you and until next time...

Ellie O'Connor

Milestone

Today I celebrate! I've been saving and scrounging to reach a goal of $2,000 saved up for my Ireland Adventure and I am happy to report I now have in my savings account $2,198. For my mission trip to Ireland I need a total of $7,ooo. Through working at Domino's I am working on raising $4,ooo of the total and my hope is $3,000+ from donations. So far so good. Lately a lot has been going on in my preparations to leave;

• I received an email from Ivan Henderson (the JIMS project manager) to set up a interview date this week and work out all the details of when I need to be in Kilkeel and such. What makes me most excited about this interview is the soon I get it done the sooner I can start hard core fundraising.


• I have been reading Eugene Peterson's "The Message" with is the New Testament in modern day terms. Reading has been nothing short of mind blowing. Right now I'm working my way through the book of Matthew and I am finally beginning to understand just how difficult and confusing Jesus' words must have been for his disciples and followers. Some of the passages I read I can't help but think, "Who do you think I am Jesus??" I am just beginning to see that Jesus, though his words are wonderful and inexplicable, was and is a man of action. He was constantly telling us how to live and then living it out himself. I'm starting to think that Christianity is more about what we do and not so much what we say. (not that what we have to say isn't important)


• One HUGE thing that's been happening around me and my family is, my grandpa (mom's dad) developed a brain tumor. We found out about a month ago, and since then he has had surgery, been sent to rehab and physical therapy. The good news is the doctor was able to remove the entire tumor, the bad news it was cancerous. They aren't completely sure, but the doctor believes the cancer in the brain stemmed from prostate cancer. He is still recovering, very slowly but he is not the less recovering. Please pray for my grandpa and grandma and the whole of my family. This is all very difficult for us.

That's about all that's been going on with me. I ask for your thoughts and prayers as I continue to prepare to leave. Pray that my interview goes well, recovery for my grandpa, and that God continues to show me his will as August creeps us closer and closer.

thank you

Ellie O'Connor

And So I Begin...

Herro!
As you probably know by now I am Ellie O'Connor. I created this blog so that family, friends, supporters, and whoever can see where I am at in my journey to Ireland.
Why I am going to Ireland?
Excellent question! Well, when I was 17 I decided that I wanted to become a missionary of some sort so began looking at mission programs I could join after high school. Well, my parents ended up in a conversation about my plans with my sister's youth group leader (Kristen) and she told them about this ministry in Ireland that her friend is involved in called JIMS. Well then my parents told me about it and I asked Kristen to have her friend email me some info about the program. She did and I immediately fell in love with everything about the program. It's a youth ministry that is basically a support system for kids in this town in Ireland. And so I've been email back and forth with the project manager, Ivan, since the winter of my senior year of high school; I sent in an application last November and I have my final interview in March.
What will I be doing while I'm in Ireland?
What is JIMS?
To get more detailed information about the JIMS program you can go to the website http://www.thejimsproject.org.uk/ (there is also a link to the right). Basically what I will be doing in Ireland is serving God by serving the community of Kilkeel. I will be looking after the youth of the town just being someone to talk to. There are a few different events that they have going on, here is just a quick over-view of what they are and it should give you a taste of what I'll be involved in:

• After School Computer Club: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 2:30pm-5:30pm. This an after school activity that teaches students basic I.T. skills for all the primary schools in the area.
• Be Fellowship: Saturdays 6:30pm-8:00 pm. This is a bible study time for girls ages 14+ where they can come together and grow in their faith.
• Boys Night In: Once a month 7:30pm-9:30pm. This is just a night for boys around the ages 12-15 to gather, eat, have fun, and enjoy each other's fellowship.
• Discos and Theme Night: This happens at least once a month...if not more. Discos and parties are from 8:30pm to midnight. Drop-in theme nights are from 8pm-1am. This is just a fun night. Young people from the community get involved to help plan these.
• Drop-In: Every Friday and Saturday 8pm-1am. This is one of the major things that go on with JIMS. People can just come in, hangout, have great talks with the crew and leaders, get food, drink, warmth; there are video games, and a pool table.
• GAP: Tuesdays 3:00pm-5:30pm. This is a great time for 12-15 year old kids to come in and hang out after school. There are games, pizza, and just great fellowship.
• Girls Night In: Once a month from 7pm-9pm. A night for girls the around the ages 12-15 to come to do fun events like game night, film night, and craft night.
• Lads Group: Saturdays 6:30pm-8:00pm. This is for ages 14+ to come together in a safe environment to talk about God, faith, and questions.
• Lunch Fellowship: Mondays 12pm-2pm. This was created to reach out to those 65 and older. A time to get together and enjoy homemade meals and companionship.
• Nite Lite: Saturday Evenings. Nite Lite aims to build positive, voluntary relationship with the young people hanging around the streets. This is to show that we really do care about them and their well being; this also allows the team to see how they are effecting the community and to reach out to whole new crowds of people.
• Partner Programs: Weekly and Monthly. This is a mix of collaborations with Kingdom Youth Club (KYC) which builds relations between the youth community of JIMS and KYC. Also JIMS becoming more and more involved in school at Kilkeel.
• Souled Out: Last Sunday of the Month from 8:00pm-10:30pm. This is a worship service that targets ages 14+ though all ages are welcome. There is a youth band that sings current popular songs and classic favorites.
• That God Thing: Once a month 6:00pm-8:30pm. A night of desserts and games with a reading and teaching from God's Word.

As you can see JIMS is a program dedicated to being a support system to the youth and community of Kilkeel Ireland.

So that is the basic rundown of why i am going there and a little bit of what i will be doing there. As i learn more i will post more. As of right now I am concentrating on raising funds to go. I need a total of $7,000; and i am also concentrating on preparing myself spiritually for this endeavor.

Please keep me in your prayers. And feel free to email me questions, concerns, or if you just want to say 'hi' or 'good luck to you'. Any friendly words are encouragement to me.

Ellie O'Connor