Guess what!? God has given us a baby daughter – Hannah Grace! What a blessing! Praise God.
Thanks for your friendship, encouragement, and prayerful support of CoastEC. We are excited about what God is doing amongst us, and we’d love to see His kingdom grow like crazy in this region. So please keep praying…and ask BIG.

Thanks,
Chris Ekins

Prayer Points…

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• Genesis Series – Ask God to reveal more of Himself and His purposes for us as we study the first twelve Chapters of Genesis, starting on the 8th August. Ask for wisdom and insight into this part of scripture and for our hearts to be soft and responsive to the Spirit.
• Babies – Thank God for the safe arrival of babies Hannah and Aquila. Ask for their parents to be great carers and good examples of Christ-followers. Pray for Heather’s pregnancy to go smoothly and for their little child to be born healthy.
• Scripture – Chris is still trying to negotiate with the high school principals about starting an SRE program for yr 7 in the near future. Ask for God to intervene and speed up the process and to open the door so kids can hear the gospel. Please also pray for energy for Ali, Alicia, Evan and Bruce as they teach Primary School scripture at both Forster and Tuncurry Primary Schools. Ask that kids would respond to the gospel and come to either Coasties kids church or Grommets youth group.
• Newcomers – Praise God for the new people who’ve started calling CoastEC their home church. Ask for them to find their feet quickly, and that God would equip them to partner with us in our mission.
• New Home Groups – Pray for Bruce Hocking as he heads up a new men’s bible study at Halliday’s Point and Sharon Hocking as she leads a women’s group. Ask that God would draw many people from Blackhead, Redhead, Diamond Beach and surrounding suburbs into fellowship through this ministry.
• Staffing – Pray for wisdom as we work out what to do next year when Alicia finishes her ministry apprenticeship. Ask God to provide the resources to train more apprentices and employ other staff to head up different areas of ministry.
• Treasurer – Please ask for God to raise up another treasurer for us (unfortunately Grant is moving to Sydney with work).
• Guest preachers – Thank God for the ministry of Sam Hilton and Graeme Fuller as they cover the preaching when Chris and Sharon’s baby arrived.
• Holiday Hang Out – Praise God for the great success of Holiday Hang Out 2010! The West Pennant Hills Mission Team was a great blessing – with hard working, servant hearts that faithfully shared the gospel. Praise God for the 35 kids that attended, and pray that they’ll get linked into Coasties Kids church, and/or Grommets youth group. Check out a HHO video here.
• Youth Ministries – Praise God that the groups (Grommets, Wired and Chicks), have established a solid core of kids, and that a solid ‘Christian culture’ is slowly developing. The majority of the kids have very soft hearts to Jesus, and praise God for the two Grommets boys gave their life to Christ at youth last week!!! Please pray for Evan and Alicia to be sustained as they run these ministries, that other like-minded leaders will be raised up, and that these groups will bring glory to Jesus.

Thanks for your partnership in the gospel. I love knowing you’re praying for us and for this region. I am thankful to God for the many great blessings in my life. In the next few weeks Sharon and I will be celebrating four years of our amazing marriage, and also welcoming our 2nd child into our family and the church. We are still passionate about serving Jesus here, and to be part of a growing number of like-minded brothers and sisters at COAST EC.

Thanks also to those of you who are already supporting us financially. We couldn’t be here serving in this capacity without your generosity and sacrifice. If you are interested in helping us fund this ministry, please consider a one-off gift to our tax deductible Scripture fund before June 30th (these funds will help us continue to staff the work we’re currently doing in primary schools and the new work we are seeking to establish in local high schools). For more info, head here.
Once again, thanks for your prayers!!

In Him,
Chris

Prayer Points…

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• Scripture – Chris is still trying to negotiate with the high school principals about starting an SRE program for yr 7 in the near future. Ask for God to intervene and speed up the process and to open the door so kids can hear the gospel. Please also pray for energy for Ali, Alicia, Evan and Bruce as they teach Primary School scripture at both Forster and Tuncurry Primary Schools. Ask that kids would respond to the gospel and come to either Coasties kids church, or to Grommets youth group.
• Newcomers – Praise God for the arrival of some new people and young families at church recently. Ask that they’ll grow in their love for Jesus and His people, and that they’ll partner with us in our mission to reach the 25,000 or so people in the region.
• Band – We are still trying to establish more musicians. Pray for God to equip and empower them.
• Women’s Home Group – Please pray for some of the new women at church to get connected to this group. Ask for energy for Sharon as she leads this group, and for the group to be good at incorporating more ladies.
• Pregnant mums – Pray for Sharon, Ange, Heather and Jenyce to have safe pregnancies and deliveries, as well as healthy babies that will grow to love and serve Jesus.
• Guest preachers – Pray for Sam Hilton (25th july) and Graeme Fuller (1st August) as they cover the preaching while Chris finds his feet with the arrival of his 2nd kid. Thank God for these good friends and willing servants.
• Youth Ministries – Pray for Chicks, Grommets, and Wired youth groups – that God will establish a core Christians group that reaches out to their friends. Pray for Evan and Alicia as they oversee the youth ministry, and that God will provide people to partner in these ministries with them.
• Staffing – Pray for wisdom as we work out what to do next year when Alicia finishes her ministry apprenticeship. Ask for God to provide the people and resources to employ and train the necessary staff.
• Holiday Hang Out – A 3 day kids mission (for yrs 3-6) on 5-7 July. Praise God for the crew from St Matts West Pennant Hills who’ll be coming up to run this mission. Pray that the planning will come together smoothly, that many kids plus their families will get linked into COAST and that kids will respond to the Gospel.
• Holidays – Pray for refreshment as Evan and Alicia (youth ministry); Tom and Ali (kids ministry) and Chris and Sharon all have holidays at various times in July.

I hope you’re all well. I’ve just come back from a great week’s holiday at Yamba. I’m feeling refreshed and ready to go for another season. Can’t wait to see what God does amongst us in the next few months! Thanks for your prayers and encouragement (and visits!). It is so good to know that we’re not in this alone!

Much love
Chris

Prayer Points…

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• High School Scripture – Chris has been invited by the principal to make a presentation to the executive of the Forster campus who are mostly opposed to introducing scripture lessons at the school. Please ask for wisdom for Chris and for God to change their hearts. Pray that students get to hear the gospel and be saved. We’re still waiting to hear back from Tuncurry High. Ask for God to move there too.
• Home groups – A new home group (bible study) is starting this month about 20 minutes north of Forster (in the Hallidays Point, Red Head, Black Head, Diamond Beach area). Pray for Bruce and Sharon who will lead this group. Ask that many new people from the area will join the group and grow in their faith.
• Leadership Development – Pray for wisdom as we seek to train more leaders to oversee various ministries. Ask that we’d be able to identify godly people to invest serious time into, and that people would be willing to step up to drive ministries forward.
• Service Time – We’ve just shifted our service time back to 10am. Pray for a good transition, that we don’t lose any people who started coming while we were at 5pm, and that God would continue to grow the church in number and maturity.
• COAST EC On Tap? – We are praying about a possible new ministry at the pub on a Sunday afternoons to reach the young adults in town. A small core group has started meeting weekly to pray, research and discuss possibilities. Pray for wisdom, clarity and boldness.
• Band – We are trying to establish more musicians. Pray for God to equip and motivate them!
• Pregnant mums – Pray for Sharon, Ange and Heather to have safe pregnancies and deliveries, healthy babies, and that their little ones will grow to love and serve Jesus.
• Admin Committee – Pray for wisdom as we meet on 23rd May to discuss church finances and where to best direct our resources.
• Youth Ministries – Praise God for the solid core groups that have developed (in Chicks, Grommets and Wired). Pray for God to sustain Evan and Alicia, and give them wisdom about how to make young disciples of Jesus
• July Mid-Year Mission – On 5-7 July, COAST will be hosting a 3 day kids mission (for yrs 3-6). Praise God for the crew from St Matts West Pennant Hills who’ll be coming up to run this mission. Pray that the planning will come together smoothly, that many kids plus their families will get linked into COAST and that kids will respond to the Gospel.

COAST EC is celebrating its 1st birthday this Easter! Thanks for supporting us in so many ways.
View an update of where we’re headed this year, and here are some prayer points.

Much love
Chris

Prayer Points…

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Praise God for bringing us this far. It has been an amazing first year at Forster. We feel God has established a firm foundation, and we are eager to keep building the kingdom in this region.

High School Scripture – Chris has written to the Principals of both the Forster and Tuncurry campus’ of the Great Lakes College with another proposal to get year 7 scripture started there. Ask for God to work in the hearts of these leaders and to open the door for this ministry to start.

Home groups – We are hoping to start a new home group (bible study) about 20 minutes north of Forster (in the Hallidays Point, Red Head, Black Head, Diamond Beach area). We have a couple who are keen to lead, and another couple who are willing to be part of the start up group. Pray for this group to get some traction and for them to connect with many others in that area. God willing, the group will grow, and form the core group of a congregation plant up there in the next year or so.

Leadership Development – Pray for wisdom as we seek to train more leaders to oversee various ministries. Ask that we’d be able to identify godly people to invest serious time into, and that people would be willing to step up to drive ministries forward.

Service Time – We’ll be shifting our service time back to 10am in May. Pray for a good transition, that we don’t lose any people who started coming while we were at 5pm, and that God would continue to grow the church in number and maturity.

COAST EC On Tap? – We are praying about a possible new ministry at the pub on a Sunday afternoon to reach the young adults in town. Pray for wisdom, clarity and boldness.
Marriage Course – Praise God for the couples who have attended the marriage course. Ask that God would strengthen them and grow them as great husbands and wives.

Staff holidays – Pray for refreshment for Alicia as she has 5-13 April off, and for Chris as he has a break from 26 April – 3 May.

Thanks for your prayers, encouragement and support. Praise God for the start we’ve made, and ask for God to continue to grow His church, for His glory.

We had our Vision 2010 day on Sunday, and I was really encouraged by the response of the members of COAST EC. We talked about our strategy for the years ahead as we seek to make more and better disciples of Jesus in our region. If you’re interested in the plan, check it out here.

Prayer Points…

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• Praise God for the foundation that has been laid over the last 12 months. God has graciously drawn together a like-minded bunch of people who now call COAST EC their home church. Praise God for their friendship and willingness to partner together to see the gospel go out to the 25,000 people living in our region.
• We need more leaders – Pray for God to raise up more leaders (for home groups, youth groups, and children’s ministry). Ask for wisdom as we seek to identify and equip godly and gifted people for these roles.
• Home Groups – Pray for all our home groups to grow in size and multiply into 2 separate groups this year. Pray for Tom and Ali as they have just started to lead a home group (Bible study) on top of heading up the kids ministry (Coasties kids church). Ask God to strengthen and sustain them.
• Mission – Ask for wisdom as we look toward starting new congregations up and down the coast. Pray for God to raise up godly and passionate core groups that we can send out.
• Admin Committee – Pray for wisdom for the AC as they meet on 28th March to hammer out some of the finance and business aspects of the church. Pray for wisdom for Chris as he leads, and ask that we’d be great stewards of the resources we’ve been entrusted with. Thank God for the faithful service of Evan Barnes who has now passed on the baton of treasurer. Pray for Grant Burrow, our new treasurer, that God would equip and energise him for his new role.
• Finances – Thank God for the generosity of the other churches and Christians who have pledged their financial support again this year! Our goal is to be fully self funded after 3 years, so this year we are striving to hit 50% of our budget from local giving. This will be a big stretch – so ask God for joyful, generous and sacrificial giving from COAST EC members.
• Primary School Scripture – Praise God for the 8 primary school scripture classes we’re teaching at Forster and Tuncurry Public Schools. Pray for Evan, Alicia, Ali and Bruce as they share Christ with the kids. Ask for wisdom as we work together with other churches to teach scripture in the local primary schools. Pray that many kids will start coming to Coasties Kids Church and Grommets (youth group).
• High School Ministries – Pray for God to open the door to both the Forster and Tuncurry campus’ of the Great Lakes College, so we can teach year 7 scripture there. Ask for wisdom and soft hearts as we negotiate with the schools.
  Alicia has been participating in three high school Christian groups the Chaplains run (aka Bible studies). Pray for wisdom for the Chaplains as they run these groups and other ministries, and ask God to connect the local kids into youth groups were they can grow to know Jesus.

• Youth Groups – Grommets (yrs 5-6) and Wired (yrs 7-9) have gained great momentum. Praise God that we were able to start Wired this year and for the small core groups that are attending each youth group. Pray that the kids will grow in Jesus and be bold at inviting their friends, and for wisdom and energy for Evan and Alicia as they lead the youth ministry. Ask God to raise up (or send up!) more youth leaders.
• Youth home groups – Chicks (for high school girls) and Barracks (*new* group for high school boys) have kicked off this term. Praise God for the core groups in chicks, and pray that Barracks will develop a solid core groups of kids.
• Marriage Course – Is run on Friday nights over March and April. Ask God to strengthen the marriages of those in our church.
• Easter Celebration – COAST EC turns one!. Pray for a great time to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and the birth of COAST EC. Ask for many opportunities for our people to present the gospel over this weekend to their friends and families, and for many guests to attend the service so they can hear the gospel.
• Staff Holidays are coming up – Alicia – 5 to 12 April and Chris – 26 April to 2nd May. Ask for refreshment and safety in travel. Pray that they’ll be sustained until their holidays.

Print the Prayer Update here

PRAISE GOD

• Our home groups (Bible study groups) are growing. We have just multiplied our Wednesday night group into 2 groups. Pray for Tom and Ali as they lead this second group. Praise God for the 3 new people who’ve started coming – ask that God will reveal Himself to them as they read His Word. Please also pray for God to raise up more leaders for more home groups.
• Praise God for the new people who’ve started coming to church since we transitioned to the 5pm time slot. Ask for them to come to a deep and sincere faith, and to partner with us in reaching the 25000 people living in the region.
• Praise God for the Solid Rock Cafe Mission during January. It was the best mission I’ve seen – the team did a sensational job of connecting with local youth and sharing Christ. Pray for the girls who’ve become Christians, and ask God for wisdom for Alicia as she meets with them on Sunday arvo’s to read the Bible and pray. Pray they’d grow in their faith, and be effective witnesses amongst their family and friends.
• Praise God for the generosity of His people. He has faithfully provided the resources we’ve needed so far to launch to the church.
• Praise God that the youth ministries are all up and running (which includes a new youth group – Wired, and a boys home group – Barracks). Pray for Evan and Alicia as they head up the youth ministries and ask that God will sustain and energise them. Also that the kids will come to a deeper relationship with Jesus, and that the groups will grow a solid core group. Pray also that God will raise up like minded leaders to partner with us (from within the church, and other regions).

ASK GOD

• We’re starting a new teaching series on ‘church’ (looking at the various metaphors used for church in the Bible). Pray that this will encourage and convict people attending COAST EC– to see themselves as God sees them, and to treat others as God intends them to. Pray that we’d be a church that reflects what God says about church.
• Pray for the 2 pregnant mums at church (Sharon and Ange). Ask for health and safety, and for the kids to grow up soft-hearted to Jesus.
• Pray for God to continue to equip our muso’s as we seek to establish a band at church.
• We’re hoping to start a ‘marriage course’ in the next month or so. Pray that God uses this to strengthen marriages in our church and our community.
• Forster High School said ‘no’ to our request to teach scripture to year 7 students next year. Ask for wisdom as we work through the issues with the school. Pray for God to overrule, and open the door. Ask that many kids might get saved.
• Pray for the SRE (Primary Scripture Classes) Allocation day on the 3rd Feb. Pray that we’ll be able to teach the ages we are trying to build ministries around (years 3, 5 and 6). Pray that there won’t be ‘clashes’ as these classes are allocated, and that God’s Name will be glorified through SRE.
• Pray for the local ministers association to be more open to gospel ministry. Ask for God to change some of their hearts. Ask for wisdom for Chris as he seeks to work with them (or apart from them).
• We are hoping to be a self-funded church after 3 years. Last year 25% of our giving came from local members. This year we are hoping to double that to 50% (and the year after we’ll be shooting for 80%). So, please pray for the locals to give generously, and also for the continued support of our external givers.
• Alicia will be spending at least 3 hours a week in the local high schools, attending and helping to run the Christian lunch time/recess groups. Pray that this time would be really effective for building relationships with the youth, and that kids will get linked into local churches and youth groups where they can grow to know Jesus.
• Pray for Tom and Ali as they head up kids ministry. Ask that God will give them wisdom as they plan for the future, and pray that God will raise up leaders to partner with them. Pray also for the kids coming to Coasties Kids Church, particularly for the kids that are a ‘handful’, that they’ll have soft hearts and open ears to Jesus.

PRAISE GOD

• We have renewed our contract with the school, so we have a venue for our public meetings next year.
• Our home groups/Bible study groups are growing. We are going to multiply our Wednesday night group into 2 groups at the start of next year. Pray for Tom and Ali as they step up to lead the second group.
• Praise God for the new people who’ve started coming to church since we transitioned to the 5pm time slot. Ask for them to come to a deep and sincere faith, and to partner with us in reaching the 25000 people living in the region.
• Praise God for the opportunity to partner with the SU Beach Mission team, and the Solid Rock Cafe Mission team during January. Ask for many to hear the gospel, and for effective follow up of any locals contacted.
• Praise God for providing a new treasurer for our church. Evan has done a great job, and is handing over to Grant. Pray
  for God to equip Grant for this service.

ASK GOD

• Pray for our first ever Christmas Eve Service tomorrow. Pray that many locals will come, trust in Jesus and link into the church. Pray also for energy for all involved in the service (we’re a bit low on man power).
• Pray for the 2 pregnant mums at church (Sharon and Ange). Ask for health and safety, and for the kids to grow up soft-hearted to Jesus.
• Pray for God to equip our muso’s as we seek to establish a band at church.
• Chris is preaching at the ‘Men and Meat’ outreach night (run by Forster Beach Mission) on the 4th January. Pray for gospel clarity, and for the Spirit to open minds and convict hearts.
• Forster High School said ‘no’ to our request to teach scripture to yr 7 students next year. Ask for wisdom as we work through the issues with the school. Pray for God to over rule, and open the door. Ask that many kids might get saved.
• Pray for the local ministers association to be more open to gospel ministry. Ask for wisdom for Chris as he seeks to work with them. Ask for God to change some of their hearts to be more inclined to partner with gospel ministries.
• Pray for the SRE (Primary Scripture Classes) Allocation day on the 29 January. Pray that we’ll be able to teach the ages we are trying to build minsitries around (years 3, 5 and 6). Pray that there won’t be ‘clashes’ as these classes are allocated, and that God’s Name will be glorified through SRE.
• Pray for God to provide the resources we need for this ministry. Praise Him for the generosity of so many people who’ve ‘got us going’ and who are ‘keeping us going’. Ask that He will grow His church here, and that we will be self-funded after 3 years.
• Pray for Alicia as she attends the Next Generation Conference (kylc) at Katoomba during the 18-22 January. Ask that God will better equip her for ministry and teaching His Word throughout this conference. Pray that she’ll have energy throughout this week of training.
• Pray for the Kids and youth ministry plans for 2010. We’re really excited about the ways we can connect and share the gospel with kids and youth. Pray that God will provide the extra helping hands that are needed to partner in these ministries, and ask for wisdom for Ali and Tom (Kids) and Ev and Alicia (Youth) as they plan and seek to develop their ministries.

Thanks for lifting us up in prayer! We take great comfort and encouragement knowing that we’re not going it alone. Here are some things to keep you busy in prayer. You can also check out our most recent supporters update video below.

Prayer Points

Download a printable version here

PRAISE GOD

• Sharon in pregnant with our #2! Praise God for giving new life. It’s only early days so please pray for health and safety.
• Our home groups/Bible study groups are growing. We are hoping to multiply our Wednesday night group into 2 groups by the end of the year. Pray for a smooth transition and for Tom and Ali as they step up to lead the second group.
• We’ve made the transition from a 10am to a 5pm service. Praise God for already drawing in some new people.
• Thank God for all our hardworking partners in the gospel, who frequently give up their time and money to support our mission in the Forster-Tuncurry Region.

ASK GOD

• Pray for God to raise up more muso’s so we can a establish a band at church. Ask for God to give energy to Dave and Min as they head this up.
• Pray for wisdom for Chris as he works with the local ministers association in regard to gospel ministry in the schools.
• Continue to ask God to open the door to the local high schools so we can teach Scripture. (Praise God for the initial positive response we’ve had from the Principal at Forster High, and ask that as we approach Tuncurry High the principal will also be open to it).
• Pray for wisdom for the Admin Committee. Our budget next year is just over $100,000. Our goal is to be self-funded after 3 years. But in the meantime we need serious financial support from other churches and Christians. Ask God to provide the resources we need for this ministry.
• Pray for wisdom (and leaders!) as we finalise plans to significantly expand our children’s and youth ministry next year (we’re hoping to start 2 new primary school groups, and 2 new high school youth groups). This will be biting off a lot, so pray for energy and many to step up to serve.
• Pray for our regulars to be bold at inviting their friends along to church as we get stuck into John’s gospel together. Ask for God to stir our hearts with a passion for His glory and a desire to share Christ with others.

Download a printable version here

PRAISE GOD

• Praise God for growing our adult bible study groups (we’ve got 16 adults in a Wednesday night group and 4 ladies in our women’s bible study group on Tuesday arvo). Please pray for us to grow in maturity, godliness, knowledge of the scriptures, love for Jesus and passion for reaching the lost.
• Praise God for Dave and Min who are leading our music ministry! Pray for God to equip and sustain them.
• Praise God for Deb and Bruce who are doing a great job of looking after our catering. Ask for God to sustain them.
• Praise God for the great fellowship we’re experiencing as God draws together a new community.

ASK GOD

• We’re changing the service time from 10am to 5pm for summer (from 15th Nov) in an attempt to be more accessible to the young families who are involved with Nippers. Ask God for the transition to be a good one, with the result that more people come to Christ.
• Ask God to open the door to the local high schools so we can teach Scripture. (Praise God for the initial positive response we’ve had from the Principal at Forster High, and ask that as we approach Tuncurry High the principal will also be open to it)
• Pray for wisdom for the Admin Committee as they seek to finalise the budget for 2010, and ask for God to provide the resources for the mission. (We are looking at a budget of around $103,000 and will need plenty of God’s people to be generous!)
• Pray for Chris, Sharon and Caleb as they have 2 weeks holiday (26 Oct – 9 Nov). Pray for good time together and for refreshment
• Pray for Matt Jacobs and Chris Allan as they preach at Coast EC on the 1st and 8th Nov.
• Pray for wisdom (and leaders!) as we finalise plans to significantly expand our childrens and youth ministry next year (We’re hoping to start 2 new primary school groups, and 2 new high school youth groups). This will be biting off a lot, so pray for energy and many to step up to serve.
• Pray for our regulars to be bold at inviting their friends along to church, especially as we re-launch for summer and get stuck into John’s gospel together.

Thanks for your encouragement, support, generosity and prayers. This ministry would not be possible without your partnership.

Keep your eyes on Jesus,
Chris

_____________________________________

Download a printable version here

PRAISE GOD

• Praise God for drawing together a great core group of locals. Coast EC has now got 30 regular adults coming to the Sunday service. Ask for God to make our love for each other increase and to overflow in mission to the region.
• Praise God for the womens bible study group and the youth girls bible study group (’chicks’) that kicked off on 15th Sept. Pray for Sharon and Alicia as they lead these groups, and for God to use them to draw many women into deeper fellowship and maturity in their faith
• Praise God for raising up musicians! Pray for Dave and Min as they step up to lead us in praising God and encouraging each other through song.
• Praise God for the wonderful provision of a house for Chris and Sharon. Ask for it to be a great base for their family and the church.

ASK GOD

• Ask God to draw more people to Himself as we move the service time from 10am to 5pm for summer (in an attempt to be more accessible to the young families who are involved with Nippers).
• Ask God to open the door to the local high schools so we can teach Scripture. (Praise God for the initial positive response we’ve had from the Principal at Forster High, and ask that as we approach Tuncurry High the principal
• Pray for Tim Scott (pastor of the CCC church in Forster) and his 4 kids. Tim’s wife Cathy died unexpectedly. Pray for God to use her death for his glory.
• Pray for wisdom for the Admin Commitee as they meet Sunday 27th Sept to manage church finance issues and to draft a budget for 2010
• Pray for Alicia as she has two weeks of time off over the October school holidays. Pray that it would be enjoyable and refreshing for her.