Prayer letter ~ 9.19.07

"For Thou are my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake, lead me and guide me." ~ Ps. 31:3

Dear Friends,

Thank you all so much for your prayers, encouragement, and financial support during the past few months as I continued the deputation process and partnership development for my future ministry in Peru, South America.The summer presented many opportunities for continued ministry preparation.

In July, I was given the unique privilege to assist my sister, Glenda, as she led a program for children in conjunction with a seminar in biblical principles for adults. While parents attended the seminar, which was hosted at Brooklane Baptist Church in Hueytown, Alabama, we taught their children many character qualities of obedience, success, patience, and others. The children had a lot of fun, but also learned many vital truths from the word of God taught by a superb staff. As the week ended, we were humbled to see how God had worked in the lives of each child.

Following the seminar, Pastor Fritz Harter invited me to come and share with the church family at Brooklane Baptist Church of my forthcoming ministry in Peru. I was appreciative of their hospitality, godly love, and interest in the calling God has planned for me. I thank God for each of the various churches that have graciously allowed me to share. Having traveled throughout Alabama, I have been blessed to meet many brothers and sisters in Christ whose kindness and love have ministered to me. I pray daily that God will grant each one a measure of His love and grace in return.

God willing, in October, I will assist the leadership team at the Good News Bible Club for children in Alabaster. Many children have been helped and blessed by this unique ministry. Some of the children are faithfully attending local churches that have partnered with us through prayer support, giving, and service. Please pray that many more children will come to the club and trust Christ as their personal Savior. Along with the club, I continue to lead a Bible study for teen girls.

As the fall season unfolds, I value your continued prayers. God is continually teaching me many truths about Him as I work, wait, and trust His plan for me. It is easy to become distracted by the various specifics of ministry need, but God is faithful to remind me that He is in control and permanently aware of His work in my life. How blessed I have been by your many prayers and sacrificial giving toward the ministries God has entrusted me with, in the furtherance of his kingdom.

May God continue to impart His immeasurable gift of grace in each of your lives.

In His Service,

Elise Rice

Prayer letter

" The faithful prayer of a righteous manavaileth much." James 5:16b


June 30. 2007



Dear friends,

How blessed I have been by your prayers and financial giving toward the pending ministry to which God has called me. It cannot be adequately measured how much I have been encouraged by your faithful partnership in the furtherance of the gospel.
In June, I completed the internship of Hispanic and local church ministries, which was a prerequisite established by World Reach. Spiritual and personal benefits from this internship were many. I value the joy I felt ministering to the Hispanic community and working alongside my dear friends at McCalla Bible Church.
During the summer months, God has allowed me to continue leading a girl's Bible study in Alabaster. We have had so much fun studying the Scriptures, learning primarily about relationships with authority, siblings, and friends. It is thrilling to watch what God continues to accomplish in the lives of these precious girls as they seek to honor Him in every area of their lives.
Currently, I am in the process of traveling throughout Alabama, contacting various churches, seeking to share the vision of ministry in Peru, South America. I am grateful for the many pastors who have graciously given me the opportunity to speak.
On June 26th, I met with World Reach to discuss the time of my ministry departure and language studies. It was wisely suggested that I begin cross-cultural training, held in Warsaw, North Carolina, in January 2008, rather than the previously set date of August 2007. Following this training, I will learn the Spanish language in Guatemala. My tentative departure to Peru will be in the fall of 2008.
As these changes unfold, I appreciate your prayers . Through your faithful giving, God has abundantly blessed me with a current financial support level of twenty percent. I continue to rest in God and patiently await the exciting ministry assignment in Peru.

In His service,
Elise Rice

Prayer letter

"O Lord our Lord how excellent is Thy Name in all the earth!"
Ps. 8:9

April 14. 2007

Dear praying friends and family,

I would like to update you on the progress of my current internship under the leadership of World Reach. God has continued to bless me with unique opportunities. McCalla Bible Church, my sending church, has allowed me to serve in various ministries there. I am currently teaching a Sunday school class designed for children ages five to seven. These children have learned much about God and have enjoyed time with songs and crafts. Their fresh desire to know the Word of God encourages me weekly. Fred Duncan, the music minister, has also given me the privilege of accompanying the choir. I often thank God for the many gracious people at McCalla.
In early February, I began a Bible study in Alabaster for teen girls at the home of Randy and Sharon. The girls and I use a fantastic curriculum called Girls of Grace. My prayer is that each girl will continue to grow strong in Him.
Each Wednesday and Thursday, I minister to Hispanics in Birmingham with Octavio and Rosie Samper. The Samper family has a burden for the growing Hispanic community. I enjoy helping the Sampers lead Bible clubs for spiritually hungry children. Through this experience, my exposure to the language and culture of the Spanish-speaking people has increased greatly.
Concurrent with my internship, I meet weekly with Mrs. Joyce Yancey, a local Bible teacher. She has expounded the many truths of the Word of God to me, and has also become a precious friend.
As God is faithful to give me grace to serve Him, I am faithful to thank Him for each one of you. May He bless you abundantly for your prayers and giving.

In His Service,
Elise Rice