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.



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!



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



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.



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




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!



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!!



Our totally awesome NYC Missions team! :)



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