Tuesday, July 20, 2010

NYC Missions

When I went to New York, I went expecting to minister and to change lives for Jesus. what I never knew was how much it would minister to me and change my life.

The first night we had orientation and then went to Times Square and got a nice look at the city. The next day, Thursday, we did a VBS for a group of about 20 kids. They were just awesome! This was the best VBS in my opinion. We got there, not knowing how many kids we'd have or what we would be doing. We didn't know if we'd be running everything or just helping out, but it was awesome seeing just how God brought it all together!

Another thing I thought was really cool was the woman who runs the daycare, Mrs. Miller told us how the night before two of her helpers called and told her that they couldn't make it the next day. So she would be alone with all of these kids with no help. So she was praying and as soon as she got up off her knees, NYSUM called her and told her we were coming! So it was a real blessing to her that we were there that day, and the kids were such a blessing to us!

We did some praise and worship songs, puppets, crafts, face painting and played outside. Daniel decided that he would give one of the kids piggy-back rides....and so then **all** the kids wanted piggy-back rides. Some of us had multiple kids on our backs at once! But it was awesome! We had a blast! The kids were amazing and blessed us all. They were so open to us and so hungry for love, that it really touched me.

NYC Trip Day 1

One of the kids, Xavier really got attached to my brother, Aaron. He was adorable! It was so sad that he cried when we left! Another girl, Brianna, was my little buddy that day. But the others were amazing too! WE did a dance competition and wow! Those kids could dance! Some of them were five or six years old and were flipping all over the place and spinning on their heads! They were awesome!

I was so sad we weren't going back to see them again! that first day I think got me the most. I was so blessed by those kids!

That night we did homeless ministry. We were in New York City and were passing out care packages, water and sandwiches to the homeless people. We got to talk to a lot of them, and that was really awesome! Many of them were so happy just to have someone to talk to! I loved to sit and listen to their story, and while listening, it really opened my eyes to the fact that these people out on the streets actually have family and friends and lives. And it was not their choice to be homeless. Something happened that forced them out on the streets. It could happen to anyone. Some of the people we met up with didn't really want to talk much. I loved being able to minister to their needs, not only physical but to their spiritual needs as well. We had the privilege of praying with several of them. And one of them, who has been on the street for 12 years actually ended up ministering to us! He had his Bible out and was reading verses and wow, that whole ministry just really blessed me!

I also met up with a man who had been on the streets for 7 years. WE talked for about an hour. He claims to be a Christian, but said he wasn't sure yet of everything he believed. Miss Sheri, Eden, Emily, Daniel and Alexsey met up with some interesting people too. All of them had a story, and some of them let us pray with them. I admit it took a few steps out of my comfort zone, but it was so worth it! God did some amazing things through that! That is something I'd love to be involved in more often!

On Friday we went to Terence Cardinal Cooke Chapel - a long-term care facility with over 700 patients. Most of the people there have Huntingtons disease where they slowly lose control over their body. We did the protestant service there for some of the patients who were there. Emily, Eden and Casey led worship and Erica and Sarah did sermons. It was really cool during worship because the people there didn't know all the words to some of the songs, but they tried to sing them anyways. And then the songs they did know they sang with us! It was just awesome! Afterwards we helped the patients back to the elevators to go to their rooms.

To end the day, we went to Coney Island Gospel Assembly for a VBS. Almost all of us were dressed like clowns!

NYC Trip Day 2

We did water balloons, face paint, puppet ministry and worship songs! It was a great time with the kids!

NYC Trip day 2

Afterwards we went to see the fireworks and then headed back to NYSUM. :)

Saturday began with street ministry at Tomkins Square Park. Emily played her guitar and everyone sang. We also got to go around the park and minister to the homeless people there. It was really great to be there! There were a few people there so happy that we were there and playing worship songs. They told us that we were a blessing to them, and that alone blessed us! Just knowing that you blessed somebody really has a way of getting to you! God is so good!

To end Saturday, we visted a Metro Family home that was made up of mainly DV Victims. We got there and had almost no idea what we were doing. We did the clowns again and Daniel, Sarah and Eden went door to door looking for kids there to come down to the VBS. The kids loved it! We did the puppet ministry again, gave out stickers, and did crafts, making necklaces, and another dance-off, worship music! It was all great! Sad to leave so soon! We spent about 2-3 hours with them. :) The kids there loved it!

After ministry time, we had a bit of free time. We went on a cruise and saw the statue of Liberty, and did some sight seeing! It was pretty sweet.

NYC Trip Day 3

Afterwards we went to Times Square and did some shopping...and went to the M&M's store! :D


NYC Trip Day 3

all in all, that was a great night! Thank you Pastor Seth, Pastor Katie and Miss Sheri!! :)

Sunday we went to Times Square Church and then we were off to go back home.

Ultimately, I was blessed through all the ministry done. Everyone was so grateful and appreciative that we came and a lot of them were just awesome! I can not wait to do this again! God is so good!

NYC Trip Day 1

I am certain that God brought us there...this was my favorite pic taken here above! :) LOL.But it about shows what the week was like. Something that we had to keep in mind was that God has us there for a reason. We have a purpose to be there. We may not have a second chance. We were given this opportunity and with it, I constantly reminded myself that having the privilege of being there, meant giving everything I had. No holding back. But going out boldly to do the work that God had set out for us. I think DIESEL did an amazing job of that. Proud to have spent my week serving with you all! You are amazing and I cannot wait to see how else the Lord will use you!

Love you!!

NYC Trip Day 4

Our totally awesome NYC Missions team! :)



Miss Sheri made a rockin video to sum up our trip...click here to see!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Between the Dreaming and the Coming True...

Sometimes the hardest place to be is between the dreaming and the coming true. Where you have seen the dream and are going after it, only carrying it with you in your heart as you have not yet reached it. This dream is not yours yet.

Between the dreaming and the coming true is work and obstacles and trials that strengthen us. We don't so much make the dream as the dream makes us. It pushes us to pursue, and if we truly want it, we will go to great measures to gain it.

Right now, one of my dreams I'm carrying is to have a book published but between the dream and the coming true is a lot of work writing, and obstacles that include but are not limited to agents, publishers, time, relations and such. When I first saw this dream,, it seemed so easy, but now standing between my dream and it's reality, I realize just how hard it can be in this place.

Sadly, not everyone reaches the reality of the dream. i see it as God give you a dream to store away and carry and to nurture, but before it can be fully grown, you have to make it to the promised land where it can be planted. The dream needs to take root in your heart so you can make it through the rough season - or through the desert you must pass through to reach the place where your dream will flourish.

Don't lose heart, and don't leave your dream behind in the desert. Doing that can leave you wandering for years. God has a dream placed in each of us. One that we need to take hold of and allow it to take root in our lives. And ultimately, we need to follow where He leads us, even through the deserts to reach the place where the dream will flourish.

But, easier said than done. The dream at first has us excited and on fire, how long does that last in the desert?

But I tell you, keep heart and don't lose faith when you are between the dreaming and the coming true because God is greater, and keep looking to Him and you will find rivers in the desert you're walking through.

Ultimately God is faithful. he has entrusted to you this seed, this dream...let Him bring you to a place where it will grow and spread and where it will thrive and prosper.

Consider a pearl and all the time it takes to be cultured. But in the end it becomes a priceless piece of beauty. The culturing of a pearl is much like standing between your dream and it's reality. It's hard, but it shapes you, and changes you. It makes you into a thing of beauty.

With every dream that God places in our lives, He has a purpose in mind and a person that He wants us to be when we reach it. God equips the called to do His work. this is God's purpose and vision for you....when it seems like you're stuck in the desert, remember that he's preparing you for the dream to come true. And being always faithful, your dream will not die unless it is you who leaves it in the desert as you wander. Looking to God, He will always be more than enough, even when you can't see. We walk by faith, not by sight.

What is your dream?

Where are you on this journey?

Has your dream taken root?

Are you setting out toward the promised land where you will flourish and thrive,

or

Are you wandering through the desert now? Are you worn and weary. Has your journey been long?

or have you reached the place and seen your dreams and the fruit that has come from them?

Is your dream taking root? Go deep.

If your in the desert, have faith and rivers will flow.

If you've thrown your dream in the desert sand. Go and pick it up again. You can still make it. Have faith.

If you've reached the place and have seen the dream flourish - well done. Continue in your dream.

To everyone who is between the dreaming and the coming true:

Be strong. Stay focused. Have faith. Never give up hope. Keep your dream rooted deep down , and trust God to bring you through to where he has a purpose to plant you.

Learn and enjoy the journey. Let it make you. And God through your trials, mold you for the dream he has placed within your heart.

Blessings always,

Brittany L. Ketter (1 Peter 3:4)