Hello beautiful people :)
So, these past two days have been slow going and quiet. We didn't have a speaker come up, so Bonnie mentored us yesterday. We talked a lot about conflict resolution, which was very helpful and interesting. I definitely have a lot of good pointers from that, and biblical back up when I need it :)
It rained all day, so we didn't go to Barnes and Nobles, but we did read a lot! We started a new book, I think I said. It's called Victory Over the Darkness by Neil T. Anderson. Learning some great stuff in that book. Here is a good quote from it:
"What you do does not determine who you are, but who you are determines what you do."
Good thinkin' stuff right there.
Oh and Mel and I took nice naps on our top bunks yesterday.
I got to talk to my mommy last night, which was wonderful, cause I hadn't heard any of mi familia's voices in like a week. :) I miss them. But I know I'm where I'm supposed to be!
So, today! Went to Breakfast Ministry this morning, which is always a joy actually. Once you get the hang of it, and the more effecient we get, the faster we are at getting stuff out and cleaning up, and you can sit back and just interact with the people there. :)
After that we came back and had team devotions, which are a great way to start the day. Then we read whatever else we had left to read for our discussion this evening.
and Mel and I took naps on the couches. Sense a pattern for me and Mel? :D
And today was Spanish class! It was good, learned some new bible words! Pecado=sin, tunba=tomb, resucitar=to be ressurected. So yeah, awesome.
On the way home, we stopped by the Spanish Christian bookstore and got a Spanish children's songbook and a Spanish hymnal! We also got to talk to the owner of the bookstore, and he is a christian(obviously) and told him how we were going to Honduras, and he was so encouraging! He told us he would pray for us, and then we talked for a long while with him and he helped up with our Spanish! So I think we may visit him sometimes. I also like the bibles there.
After dinner the 5 of us went over to the park to power-walk around the track cause Bonnie has been fattening us up too much :) We probably walked about 3/4 of a mile. Emily was a walking buddy, cause we are slow--my knee doesn't allow me to go fast :( And Emily is a good friend! But, we just talked a lot basically. Then we went in after about half an hour, when it was getting dark (by the way, when it gets dark, that means everyone comes outside! It's pretty hilarious). Some guys invited us to play football, which was very kind, but we had to go in and discuss Victory over the Darkness. Plus we had kind of been hogging the track, which is where they play football.
And we've just been chillin' now! Mel is a Glee song singin' buddy, so in honor of the fact that there is a new Gless season, but we can't watch it, we just listened to Glee soundtracks :)
Also, I wanted to put this link, to the video That's MY King, because it is always so encouraging when I watch it. It gives me shivers and reminds me what an awesome king I serve! Gives me a boost! I hope it does the same for you! :)
And I have been on here entirely too long. Tomorrow is Bowery Mission! I can't wait :)
Love you all, keep me in your prayers!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
"You sound so cute when you speak Spanish!"
It's the day of rest! And what a wonderful day it has been so far! But first, let me tell you about yesterday :)
Yesterday we went and served with Manna of Life, which is a food distribution run out of Crossroads Tabernacle in the Bronx. It's run by a really neat, God-loving man named Pete. Boy does he love Jesus or what! Basically, it was an amazing time. We went to the LivingRoom, which is a place where homeless people can come and live, it's inside, they can have shelter there. There are showers, bathrooms, and even computers they are able to use. It's run by BronxWorks, which is a city-run thing. A lot of people go there who are in between housing, for instance if they've been evicted, or if they are victims of a "burn out," aka their home being burnt down. We brought food--sandwiches, fruit, juice, and hot soup. After we handed out the meal, we went up and fellowshipped with them. Pete shared some words, and then we just talked with some of the people there, getting to know them. It was really awesome. Next we went to a street where some homeless men live, and were able to bless them. After that, we went to a Women's and Children's shelter. Unfortunately they aren't able to enter into the actual building, because it's rather high security--many of the women there coming from abusive situations. They also aren't allowed to bring any food INTO the facility. But we were able to give out a good amount of food to some families.
Our last stop was at a gas station where a lot of migrant workers gather, waiting and hoping for a days work. So we were able to serve those men. I helped Millie, a lady who regularly helps with Manna of Life, and she speaks fluent Spanish, and I was using some of my Spanish with the workers--simple things, like "Quieres sopa? Quieres jugo?" And Millie goes, in a thick New York accent, "Awhh you sound so cute when you speak Spanish!" I didn't know whether or not those of a compliment or not, so I decided to think of it as that :)
We went to Target yesterday and I got another journal, cause I forgot I had another one. Haha. But it's like 70% recyclable, so that's super fly! Then last night we watched The Phantom of the Opera :) I love that movie, and it's nice, cause my whole team does. Well, it was Emily's first time watching it, she was intrigued by it. It IS a weird story. But the music is fantastic.
Today we did our song in church, God of Wonders. And Sister Michele wasn't there this morning, so Dorine asked if one of two would helped lead everyone in the songs for worship, so Carey and I did that. It all went really well. Great messages, Pastor Lou is such a greater teacher and preacher. I love his sermons and sunday school. I always take pages of notes.
Today was also Bonnie's birthday! Yesterday at Target, Emily suggested getting a card, so we did and then the five of us wrote little notes in it to her. So, Happy birthday to Bonnie!
After lunch we went on another adventure, this time to Barnes and Nobles! We got there safely, with no mishaps or anything, and we read, and Mel and I had brought our netbooks and had some wi-fi fun! Mel named hers, but I'm still looking for the perfect name. Mel's is Lewis, which I think is a great name.
We read for a while, and then us girls got something from the Starbucks in there. I got an iced Caramel Macciato :) Delicious.
We got home slightly before dark, and I got to talk to Seth on the phone for like an hour and half, which was a highlight for this week :) I miss that best friend. It was good to catch up, cause I only got to hang out with him a little bit before I left, when I went up to Messiah area for a weekend.
I'll give you a little update at what God has been talking to me about. I started reading Jeremiah, and so far it's a lot about God's wrath on Israel. But what's interesting is that over and over again God asks and almost pleads with Israel to return to Him, that they may not feel His wrath. He gives them SO MANY chances. And I've just been thinking, if God is willing to give Israel, who turned completely from Him--worshiping false gods, breaking every commandment, doing what was detestable in God's sight, chance after chance, how much will He also give us chances, when we make mistakes, and even when we deliberately sin.
I've also been thinking about martyrs, reading the Extreme Devotion book Bonnie gave us when we first got here, which is by the people who wrote Jesus Freaks--Voice of the Martyrs. I've been running into verses in the bible talking about those who die for the sake of Christ and the gospel, and just thinking about what that means to me, and how far am I willing to sacrifice. I'm going to share this story from the book, which has especially touched me and made me think--all these stories are true.
There were a group of Japanese christians, being led to crosses to be crucified in Christian-hostile Japan. A soldier pulled aside a young prisoner, a boy of twelve years old. He felt bad, the boy being so young. He told the boy "Please, just recant your faith and you can be free!" The boy smiled at him and said just as earnestly, "Sir, it would be better for you to follow Christ and come to heaven with me today!" And then the boy ran to his cross, knelt before it, and embraced it joyously. That boy was crucified that day along with 26 other japanese christians.
That story amazed me. That boy EMBRACED his cross! Can I do that? Can I EMBRACE my suffering? For goodness' sake, I don't even know what suffering IS. But what little trials I have, can I, DO I, embrace them with a joyful spirit? This is something that is quite frequently on my heart and mind. And I hope it puts some thoughts in your hearts and minds too.
Prayer is always appreciated--for strength, perseverance, and that I would boldly speak of Christ's love. And again with grace and patience for life in general.
Amor siempre en Cristo!
Yesterday we went and served with Manna of Life, which is a food distribution run out of Crossroads Tabernacle in the Bronx. It's run by a really neat, God-loving man named Pete. Boy does he love Jesus or what! Basically, it was an amazing time. We went to the LivingRoom, which is a place where homeless people can come and live, it's inside, they can have shelter there. There are showers, bathrooms, and even computers they are able to use. It's run by BronxWorks, which is a city-run thing. A lot of people go there who are in between housing, for instance if they've been evicted, or if they are victims of a "burn out," aka their home being burnt down. We brought food--sandwiches, fruit, juice, and hot soup. After we handed out the meal, we went up and fellowshipped with them. Pete shared some words, and then we just talked with some of the people there, getting to know them. It was really awesome. Next we went to a street where some homeless men live, and were able to bless them. After that, we went to a Women's and Children's shelter. Unfortunately they aren't able to enter into the actual building, because it's rather high security--many of the women there coming from abusive situations. They also aren't allowed to bring any food INTO the facility. But we were able to give out a good amount of food to some families.
Our last stop was at a gas station where a lot of migrant workers gather, waiting and hoping for a days work. So we were able to serve those men. I helped Millie, a lady who regularly helps with Manna of Life, and she speaks fluent Spanish, and I was using some of my Spanish with the workers--simple things, like "Quieres sopa? Quieres jugo?" And Millie goes, in a thick New York accent, "Awhh you sound so cute when you speak Spanish!" I didn't know whether or not those of a compliment or not, so I decided to think of it as that :)
We went to Target yesterday and I got another journal, cause I forgot I had another one. Haha. But it's like 70% recyclable, so that's super fly! Then last night we watched The Phantom of the Opera :) I love that movie, and it's nice, cause my whole team does. Well, it was Emily's first time watching it, she was intrigued by it. It IS a weird story. But the music is fantastic.
Today we did our song in church, God of Wonders. And Sister Michele wasn't there this morning, so Dorine asked if one of two would helped lead everyone in the songs for worship, so Carey and I did that. It all went really well. Great messages, Pastor Lou is such a greater teacher and preacher. I love his sermons and sunday school. I always take pages of notes.
Today was also Bonnie's birthday! Yesterday at Target, Emily suggested getting a card, so we did and then the five of us wrote little notes in it to her. So, Happy birthday to Bonnie!
After lunch we went on another adventure, this time to Barnes and Nobles! We got there safely, with no mishaps or anything, and we read, and Mel and I had brought our netbooks and had some wi-fi fun! Mel named hers, but I'm still looking for the perfect name. Mel's is Lewis, which I think is a great name.
We read for a while, and then us girls got something from the Starbucks in there. I got an iced Caramel Macciato :) Delicious.
We got home slightly before dark, and I got to talk to Seth on the phone for like an hour and half, which was a highlight for this week :) I miss that best friend. It was good to catch up, cause I only got to hang out with him a little bit before I left, when I went up to Messiah area for a weekend.
I'll give you a little update at what God has been talking to me about. I started reading Jeremiah, and so far it's a lot about God's wrath on Israel. But what's interesting is that over and over again God asks and almost pleads with Israel to return to Him, that they may not feel His wrath. He gives them SO MANY chances. And I've just been thinking, if God is willing to give Israel, who turned completely from Him--worshiping false gods, breaking every commandment, doing what was detestable in God's sight, chance after chance, how much will He also give us chances, when we make mistakes, and even when we deliberately sin.
I've also been thinking about martyrs, reading the Extreme Devotion book Bonnie gave us when we first got here, which is by the people who wrote Jesus Freaks--Voice of the Martyrs. I've been running into verses in the bible talking about those who die for the sake of Christ and the gospel, and just thinking about what that means to me, and how far am I willing to sacrifice. I'm going to share this story from the book, which has especially touched me and made me think--all these stories are true.
There were a group of Japanese christians, being led to crosses to be crucified in Christian-hostile Japan. A soldier pulled aside a young prisoner, a boy of twelve years old. He felt bad, the boy being so young. He told the boy "Please, just recant your faith and you can be free!" The boy smiled at him and said just as earnestly, "Sir, it would be better for you to follow Christ and come to heaven with me today!" And then the boy ran to his cross, knelt before it, and embraced it joyously. That boy was crucified that day along with 26 other japanese christians.
That story amazed me. That boy EMBRACED his cross! Can I do that? Can I EMBRACE my suffering? For goodness' sake, I don't even know what suffering IS. But what little trials I have, can I, DO I, embrace them with a joyful spirit? This is something that is quite frequently on my heart and mind. And I hope it puts some thoughts in your hearts and minds too.
Prayer is always appreciated--for strength, perseverance, and that I would boldly speak of Christ's love. And again with grace and patience for life in general.
Amor siempre en Cristo!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Camina, Camina en la luz...
Oi! Hey, it's been 2 days. So, I have a lot to say, but, it's been 2 days, so I hope I haven't forgotten stuff. I'll check my journal for details.
Haha, something funny--reading my journal from Wednesday, some bits are a bit sloppy cause I had the hiccups and they were rather violent, so they kept jostling me. :P
So, let's talk about Wednesday! It started out with us heading to Bowery Mission over in Manhatten. Let me tell you a little history of Bowery Mission, before I go into what we did, and my own personal experience there...
So, Bowery Mission is one of the oldest humanitarian efforts in the city. It was started as, and still is, a rehabilitation center/school for men. They have room there for 80 men, for men ages 18 and up I believe, who basically need a break from life to get back on their fit. They provide help in getting over addictions, they provide classes so that the men can get their GED if they haven't, and also basic training in things like Computer Tech so that the men have a skill that will provide them with jobs. They are non-denominational Christian organization, so the men there also take bible classes, have chapel 3 times a day(they are required to attend 2 of those services), and are taught responsibility and accountability. Those who are students at the Bowery all work there, in the kitchen, clothes/shower rooms, and other parts throughout the facility, to teach good work ethic and responsibility. It is a 6 to 9 month program and just really amazing. It's been around for about 130 years. But on top of that, the Bowery Mission has an incredible outreach and service to the homeless. They give hot meals in the mission house itself, and they also go out into the community and give out food. During the winter, the Bowery Mission opens it's doors to homeless men to find shelter on cold nights...they lay down maps in their fellowship hall and in their chapel, to give men warmth at least for a couple of hours. So that's a big description of what the Bowery Mission is, although it is rather multi-faceted.
Now I'll tell you about my personal experience at the Bowery Mission on Wednesday. We got there, and Pete, the guy who takes care of the volunteers when they come, had forgotten that we were coming :P But he took care of us, and we ended up being a huge blessing that day, because about 6 or 7 things went wrong. So first, we split up and me, Ben, and Bonnie wiped down all the pews in the chapel. By the way, the chapel is GORGEOUS. It'd old, and reminds me of some of the smaller churches and chapels in Europe.
Emily, Mel, and Carey helped in the kitchen, then we all came together to help serve the guys, or students, that live at the Bowery Mission. It was really nice to be able to serve them. Then we ate, meeting some of the guys. Carey and I met a guy name "B.A,"(we didn't know how to say his name, so he told us to call him B.A cause that's what everyone calls him) and we learned just a bit about him which was neat. After that we got ready to serve the homeless and less fortunate that they opened their doors to for a hot lunch. And, because one of their big fridges had crashed the night before, they had a ton of sandwiches to give out, giving as many as wanted to the community. It was so neat to be able to bless people like that, and just see how many different kinds of people are in need.
One of the best things about Bowery Mission are the amazing and awesome people who work there. Trevor, the main chef, is hilarious, with a thick accent and sense of humor. We met Wilmen, who has stories and stories about Bowery Mission, which he imparted to us. Pauline, an older volunteer as well who has been volunteering for many years, having fallen in love with it the first time she was there. She has a neat story, but just one thing about her: She lives in Arkansas, and did a fundraiser there, raising about 40,000 dollars, enabling them to get new kitchen appliances. What an awesome lady! There is Daniel, who we helped sort bread with. He speaks with a thick, thick accent and sometimes gets teased about it, in a loving way :) There is Edmund, a young Puerto Rican who taught us some Spanish and didn't make us girls wash the dishes(poor Ben :p). It's just enriched with really cool people.
What is really awesome is that we were only going to be there this past Wednesday and then next Wednesday, but another service outreach became rather complicated(we were going to have to get police background checks, and with a Canadian on our team, that would be rather difficult, and would take quite a while), so now we get to be at Bowery Mission most Wednesdays :)
So that's that! Today we helped Mr. Jones at Love Kitchen at Manhatten Bible, we basically just put stuff away and organized for him, but we love it there too.
Then we had after school program! I love my pre-schoolers! I got to take some pictures today, which is great. They are such cuties, and they are really warming up to me and Carey now. Alright, I have to get off of here. It's taken me 45 minutes to write this about, and that's my time limit!
Keep me in you prayers, for strength against weariness especially and patience with life :)
Love you!
Haha, something funny--reading my journal from Wednesday, some bits are a bit sloppy cause I had the hiccups and they were rather violent, so they kept jostling me. :P
So, let's talk about Wednesday! It started out with us heading to Bowery Mission over in Manhatten. Let me tell you a little history of Bowery Mission, before I go into what we did, and my own personal experience there...
So, Bowery Mission is one of the oldest humanitarian efforts in the city. It was started as, and still is, a rehabilitation center/school for men. They have room there for 80 men, for men ages 18 and up I believe, who basically need a break from life to get back on their fit. They provide help in getting over addictions, they provide classes so that the men can get their GED if they haven't, and also basic training in things like Computer Tech so that the men have a skill that will provide them with jobs. They are non-denominational Christian organization, so the men there also take bible classes, have chapel 3 times a day(they are required to attend 2 of those services), and are taught responsibility and accountability. Those who are students at the Bowery all work there, in the kitchen, clothes/shower rooms, and other parts throughout the facility, to teach good work ethic and responsibility. It is a 6 to 9 month program and just really amazing. It's been around for about 130 years. But on top of that, the Bowery Mission has an incredible outreach and service to the homeless. They give hot meals in the mission house itself, and they also go out into the community and give out food. During the winter, the Bowery Mission opens it's doors to homeless men to find shelter on cold nights...they lay down maps in their fellowship hall and in their chapel, to give men warmth at least for a couple of hours. So that's a big description of what the Bowery Mission is, although it is rather multi-faceted.
Now I'll tell you about my personal experience at the Bowery Mission on Wednesday. We got there, and Pete, the guy who takes care of the volunteers when they come, had forgotten that we were coming :P But he took care of us, and we ended up being a huge blessing that day, because about 6 or 7 things went wrong. So first, we split up and me, Ben, and Bonnie wiped down all the pews in the chapel. By the way, the chapel is GORGEOUS. It'd old, and reminds me of some of the smaller churches and chapels in Europe.
Emily, Mel, and Carey helped in the kitchen, then we all came together to help serve the guys, or students, that live at the Bowery Mission. It was really nice to be able to serve them. Then we ate, meeting some of the guys. Carey and I met a guy name "B.A,"(we didn't know how to say his name, so he told us to call him B.A cause that's what everyone calls him) and we learned just a bit about him which was neat. After that we got ready to serve the homeless and less fortunate that they opened their doors to for a hot lunch. And, because one of their big fridges had crashed the night before, they had a ton of sandwiches to give out, giving as many as wanted to the community. It was so neat to be able to bless people like that, and just see how many different kinds of people are in need.
One of the best things about Bowery Mission are the amazing and awesome people who work there. Trevor, the main chef, is hilarious, with a thick accent and sense of humor. We met Wilmen, who has stories and stories about Bowery Mission, which he imparted to us. Pauline, an older volunteer as well who has been volunteering for many years, having fallen in love with it the first time she was there. She has a neat story, but just one thing about her: She lives in Arkansas, and did a fundraiser there, raising about 40,000 dollars, enabling them to get new kitchen appliances. What an awesome lady! There is Daniel, who we helped sort bread with. He speaks with a thick, thick accent and sometimes gets teased about it, in a loving way :) There is Edmund, a young Puerto Rican who taught us some Spanish and didn't make us girls wash the dishes(poor Ben :p). It's just enriched with really cool people.
What is really awesome is that we were only going to be there this past Wednesday and then next Wednesday, but another service outreach became rather complicated(we were going to have to get police background checks, and with a Canadian on our team, that would be rather difficult, and would take quite a while), so now we get to be at Bowery Mission most Wednesdays :)
So that's that! Today we helped Mr. Jones at Love Kitchen at Manhatten Bible, we basically just put stuff away and organized for him, but we love it there too.
Then we had after school program! I love my pre-schoolers! I got to take some pictures today, which is great. They are such cuties, and they are really warming up to me and Carey now. Alright, I have to get off of here. It's taken me 45 minutes to write this about, and that's my time limit!
Keep me in you prayers, for strength against weariness especially and patience with life :)
Love you!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
My most precious book..
Hello dear friends.
It has been a couple days, but not too much has happened as far as "doing things," and I wanted to give you a nice juicy update. So, here we go...
Sunday--Church, as usual. As usual? That sounds boring. Church, of course! That sounds better, because it really is much better than "as usual." Pastor Lou has an amazing gift of teaching. I learn so much from him! He reminds me of Pastor John(Uncle John to me :]) in his preaching style. I especially love Sunday school, because it has more discussion time as well. I learned a lot about Judaism and the different facets of it and the view of sacrifice nowadays in each of those facets.
After church we came back and ate a yummy lunch(basically, anything cooked by Bonnie you can guarantee being yummy). After that we went Pray mapping, which was pretty cool. We chose a block to walk around, close to the apartment, and brought a piece of paper and a marker and a clipboard, and kept our eyes open for places in the community where people gather. We also looked for establishments that were helpful to the community, or could be harmful. We mapped these places as we came to them, and then took a moment to pray for them. It was really cool, and I drew a pretty beautiful map, I must say.
The rest of the day was just chillaxin' time. We read from our Search for Significance books, had some internet time, and played another ridiculously long game of Phase 10, which is just our thing, taking that long, no matter how we play it :D
Monday, or Lunes-- We slept in a bit, because our speaker, Ken Hepner, wasn't getting in until lunch time. Mostly read really, oh, and every one of my days is started with some excellent God time, which is why my days have been so good, cause yeah, God is awesome. Ken got there, and we had a great learning time, and then he and his wife, Raina, took us all to eat at Dallas BBQ, which is a delicious place to eat. So, if you've never been there, you should go. We came back and had some internet time(I got to skype Paulie Tobias!) and just chilled some more, and us young folk stayed up a little later than usual playing UNO :)
Hoy, or Today-- Breakfast Ministry! Me, Carey and Mel went today, and we had 30 people! Which is awesome :) We provided 30 hungry people with a meal today. We ended up staying later to help Dorine and Cornelia(they run the Breakfast Ministry) with a delivery. So our session with ken had to be cut short cause he had to get back home by 4.
We have been fed so much of the Word it's almost overwhelming, but amazing. My daily time with Jesus has become my most precious time. And I've developed such a hunger for the Word of God! It's so amazing. The other day during team devos in the morning, Bonnie was talking about peace and joy and what that means, and while she was talking I just got this overwhelming sense of joy and peace welling up in me. It was really remarkable, it was just all I could do to keep from bursting out in laughter. I asked God for a hunger for Him, and He has given me that, and more! I was telling the other girls on my team today, after we had all been just reading our bibles, just to get more of it, about how when I was younger, especially in middle school, I felt the bible was so boring. I don't know why in the world I thought that! It's one of the most interesting books in the world. It has so many stories, true stories, that are simply amazing and fascinating to me. And to know the stories of the prophets and read their words of truth that still apply today!
On that note, I'm going to start putting in here a scripture that has especially struck me that day, or throughout the week.
Just the other day we were listening to music, just sitting together, and I put on the song my Sarah Groves called "Jeremiah." The chorus goes like this:
Jeremiah tell me 'bout the fire,
that burns up in your bones,
I wanna know, I wanna know more now.
The burning of ambition and desire,
never could come close
to that fire, to that fire.
I have always loved that song, it's beautiful, but I never knew where it was from in the bible! I knew it was from Jeremiah somewhere, of course. And I had just been thinking about those lyrics for these couple of days, and this morning I was flipping through mi biblia, my most precious book, and I literally flipped to the chapter, and my eyes fell on the verse! Crazy, I know, but God does crazy things.
So, it's in Jeremiah 20:9
But if I say, "I will not mention him
or speak any more in his name,"
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
indeed, I cannot.
I want to be like that. I want to not be able to hold in the fire of Christ.
Goodnight, I'm hogging the computer. I'll have mine by Friday!! Hallelujah!
Love always <3
It has been a couple days, but not too much has happened as far as "doing things," and I wanted to give you a nice juicy update. So, here we go...
Sunday--Church, as usual. As usual? That sounds boring. Church, of course! That sounds better, because it really is much better than "as usual." Pastor Lou has an amazing gift of teaching. I learn so much from him! He reminds me of Pastor John(Uncle John to me :]) in his preaching style. I especially love Sunday school, because it has more discussion time as well. I learned a lot about Judaism and the different facets of it and the view of sacrifice nowadays in each of those facets.
After church we came back and ate a yummy lunch(basically, anything cooked by Bonnie you can guarantee being yummy). After that we went Pray mapping, which was pretty cool. We chose a block to walk around, close to the apartment, and brought a piece of paper and a marker and a clipboard, and kept our eyes open for places in the community where people gather. We also looked for establishments that were helpful to the community, or could be harmful. We mapped these places as we came to them, and then took a moment to pray for them. It was really cool, and I drew a pretty beautiful map, I must say.
The rest of the day was just chillaxin' time. We read from our Search for Significance books, had some internet time, and played another ridiculously long game of Phase 10, which is just our thing, taking that long, no matter how we play it :D
Monday, or Lunes-- We slept in a bit, because our speaker, Ken Hepner, wasn't getting in until lunch time. Mostly read really, oh, and every one of my days is started with some excellent God time, which is why my days have been so good, cause yeah, God is awesome. Ken got there, and we had a great learning time, and then he and his wife, Raina, took us all to eat at Dallas BBQ, which is a delicious place to eat. So, if you've never been there, you should go. We came back and had some internet time(I got to skype Paulie Tobias!) and just chilled some more, and us young folk stayed up a little later than usual playing UNO :)
Hoy, or Today-- Breakfast Ministry! Me, Carey and Mel went today, and we had 30 people! Which is awesome :) We provided 30 hungry people with a meal today. We ended up staying later to help Dorine and Cornelia(they run the Breakfast Ministry) with a delivery. So our session with ken had to be cut short cause he had to get back home by 4.
We have been fed so much of the Word it's almost overwhelming, but amazing. My daily time with Jesus has become my most precious time. And I've developed such a hunger for the Word of God! It's so amazing. The other day during team devos in the morning, Bonnie was talking about peace and joy and what that means, and while she was talking I just got this overwhelming sense of joy and peace welling up in me. It was really remarkable, it was just all I could do to keep from bursting out in laughter. I asked God for a hunger for Him, and He has given me that, and more! I was telling the other girls on my team today, after we had all been just reading our bibles, just to get more of it, about how when I was younger, especially in middle school, I felt the bible was so boring. I don't know why in the world I thought that! It's one of the most interesting books in the world. It has so many stories, true stories, that are simply amazing and fascinating to me. And to know the stories of the prophets and read their words of truth that still apply today!
On that note, I'm going to start putting in here a scripture that has especially struck me that day, or throughout the week.
Just the other day we were listening to music, just sitting together, and I put on the song my Sarah Groves called "Jeremiah." The chorus goes like this:
Jeremiah tell me 'bout the fire,
that burns up in your bones,
I wanna know, I wanna know more now.
The burning of ambition and desire,
never could come close
to that fire, to that fire.
I have always loved that song, it's beautiful, but I never knew where it was from in the bible! I knew it was from Jeremiah somewhere, of course. And I had just been thinking about those lyrics for these couple of days, and this morning I was flipping through mi biblia, my most precious book, and I literally flipped to the chapter, and my eyes fell on the verse! Crazy, I know, but God does crazy things.
So, it's in Jeremiah 20:9
But if I say, "I will not mention him
or speak any more in his name,"
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
indeed, I cannot.
I want to be like that. I want to not be able to hold in the fire of Christ.
Goodnight, I'm hogging the computer. I'll have mine by Friday!! Hallelujah!
Love always <3
Saturday, September 18, 2010
National anthems and amazing dramas.
Hallo! It's Sabado!
So, I skipped out on internet time last night in favor of sleep again. But it's okay, cause I'm here now.
Hmm, so, yesterday. Yesterday in the morning we went to the World Vision storehouse in the Bronx and volunteered, something we will be doing every Friday. It was tons of fun. The people who run it are fantastic people. We unpacked a lot of boxes of medical stuff and toiletres and organized it on shelves. I tell you what, if you have even the itty-bittiest of an organizer in you, it sure does come out doing that kind of work. And it's very satisfying. The Bronx is considered of the poorest communities with the condention of people that are there, which is why there is a World Vision storehouse there. They place storehouses where the need to greatest. It was awesome seeing what all World Vision does, just in America, not to mention the rest of the world. It's cool to think about, because usually when you think of World Vision's work, you think about their work in third world countries and in helping with disaster relief, but they do a lot in the U.S too.
We were going to go to the Spanish church last night, but they ended up not having it because they were having a big youth jubilee thing today at 12, which we went to! It was super awesome, because it was in mostly in English AND Spanish, because it was to youth, who often speak English as well as Spanish, and sometimes don't speak Spanish fluently. We learned some Spanish worship songs, which we sang in English too. The focus was on missions, so that was convenient for us to be there. Pastor Judy and Pastor Margie are co-pastors of the Canaan church(the Spanish church), who partner some with Priority 1 Ministries, so we helped them out where we could. They did an AMAZING drama. Seriously, it was awesome. It depicted the spiritual warfare that goes on along with what's happening in the physical world, which is something that Mike and Carlos talked to us about when they were here. It also exemplified the making of disciples, and then of those disciples making disciples, which is so cool to think about--how your discipling and leading one person to Christ can create a domino effect. We ate a delicious dinner, and got home around 4:15.
One thing we have been doing, because of our international team, is learn the Canadian anthem, which is pretty awesome. Melanie started teaching it to us during our entirely too long Phase 10 game last night. I admit, I needed to relearn the American anthem, and since we have been teaching it to Mel, I've relearned it too.
Something funny about Mel and her Canadian-ness: She helps with the kindergartners at Operation Exodus, and so also helps with homework and such. On Thursday one of the teachers, being swamped(they have a LOT of kids), put a piece of paper in her hands and said "just have them repeat after you!" It ended up being the pledge of allegiance! So, our Canadian taught a bunch of kindergartners the pledges of allegiance. :D
Soon we are going to watch a movie, Sherlock Holmes. I'm off now so Ben can get on here. I can't wait til I have my computer so I don't hold anyone up.
Love always!
So, I skipped out on internet time last night in favor of sleep again. But it's okay, cause I'm here now.
Hmm, so, yesterday. Yesterday in the morning we went to the World Vision storehouse in the Bronx and volunteered, something we will be doing every Friday. It was tons of fun. The people who run it are fantastic people. We unpacked a lot of boxes of medical stuff and toiletres and organized it on shelves. I tell you what, if you have even the itty-bittiest of an organizer in you, it sure does come out doing that kind of work. And it's very satisfying. The Bronx is considered of the poorest communities with the condention of people that are there, which is why there is a World Vision storehouse there. They place storehouses where the need to greatest. It was awesome seeing what all World Vision does, just in America, not to mention the rest of the world. It's cool to think about, because usually when you think of World Vision's work, you think about their work in third world countries and in helping with disaster relief, but they do a lot in the U.S too.
We were going to go to the Spanish church last night, but they ended up not having it because they were having a big youth jubilee thing today at 12, which we went to! It was super awesome, because it was in mostly in English AND Spanish, because it was to youth, who often speak English as well as Spanish, and sometimes don't speak Spanish fluently. We learned some Spanish worship songs, which we sang in English too. The focus was on missions, so that was convenient for us to be there. Pastor Judy and Pastor Margie are co-pastors of the Canaan church(the Spanish church), who partner some with Priority 1 Ministries, so we helped them out where we could. They did an AMAZING drama. Seriously, it was awesome. It depicted the spiritual warfare that goes on along with what's happening in the physical world, which is something that Mike and Carlos talked to us about when they were here. It also exemplified the making of disciples, and then of those disciples making disciples, which is so cool to think about--how your discipling and leading one person to Christ can create a domino effect. We ate a delicious dinner, and got home around 4:15.
One thing we have been doing, because of our international team, is learn the Canadian anthem, which is pretty awesome. Melanie started teaching it to us during our entirely too long Phase 10 game last night. I admit, I needed to relearn the American anthem, and since we have been teaching it to Mel, I've relearned it too.
Something funny about Mel and her Canadian-ness: She helps with the kindergartners at Operation Exodus, and so also helps with homework and such. On Thursday one of the teachers, being swamped(they have a LOT of kids), put a piece of paper in her hands and said "just have them repeat after you!" It ended up being the pledge of allegiance! So, our Canadian taught a bunch of kindergartners the pledges of allegiance. :D
Soon we are going to watch a movie, Sherlock Holmes. I'm off now so Ben can get on here. I can't wait til I have my computer so I don't hold anyone up.
Love always!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Leche de cow--and other great things!
I skipped a day, I hope you don't mind--but I'm back now! I skipped internet time last night cause I was pretty exhausted and wanted to get to bed early--which I did, and I didn't wake up until 7:45! So, I was wonderfully rested today, which is great because today was a big day!
I had a great devotion time and amazing time of prayer this morning. It's really neat, when Mike and Carlos were here and talked about prayer, Mike challenged us to set a goal amount of time for our God time each morning, and I set a goal of 45 minutes, thinking I would get used to that, and then bump it up 15 minutes after a little while. Well, for the past 3 days my Jesus time has been averaging an hour and 15 minutes every day. That is so encouraging to me, that I'm able to be focused and really be focusing on God's word and what the Holy Spirit is saying to me for that amount of time. So, praise the Lord!
We went to Manhatten bible today, which we also did yesterday. We went earlier today though because we helped with the food pantry there with Mr. Jones. It was such a blessed time--we just packed grocery bags full of groceries--but the people we were working with, the people running the food pantry, Mr and Mrs Jones, are such lovely people with servants hearts, just so excited for the work of the Lord.
After that we crossed the street and went to our perspective classes. I didn't write yesterday so I'll fill you in about the after school program at Manhatten bible, which is called Operation Exodus. Carey and I are with the pre-schoolers, and believe me, they need the both of us. I don't know how they do it when we aren't there. Anyways, the kids are so adorable--some are bad, yes, but most just want attention, and only know how to get it by acting out. One little boy Jaden often gets in trouble, but I noticed throughout the day how he is often provoked by other children, and reacts with his fists instead of his words. So, I was happy to be able to save him a trip to the time out when I saw a complete interaction with him and another boy. I later took him by himself and was able to play with him one on one, rewarding him with praise when he did good things, like be kind or sit quietly and color nicely inside the lines.
As for my title, most of the kids are bi-lingual, even at that young age, and constantly slip in and out of English and Spanish, which means I have to as well--which is great practice for me! In one such instance, a little girl, named Luiza, kept asking for her leche de cow. At first I didn't hear here, and I had to ask her to repeat herself even after I had--it took me a minute to realize that all she wanted was her milk. Her mixture of Spanish, "leche," and English, "cow," had quite caught me offguard. A funny instance in the process of learning a language.
We got done right as a torrential downpour started. We had barely gone the one block to our bus-stop when we were completely soaked, having forgot our umbrellas, of course. So we crammed into the bus with a million other people, all equally soaked. The thunder rolled and the lightening cracked with unusual immensity, and many of us ladies on the bus screamed. It was a little scary, but the bus driver was skilled! We got home safely, changing to a much emptier bus where we had seats and also had a friendly chat with a lovely old lady.
We got home and changed out of our soaking clothes into warm sweatpants and delicious leftovers.
And that's it! Pray for strength from weariness, and for funds to keep coming.
Love to you all!
I had a great devotion time and amazing time of prayer this morning. It's really neat, when Mike and Carlos were here and talked about prayer, Mike challenged us to set a goal amount of time for our God time each morning, and I set a goal of 45 minutes, thinking I would get used to that, and then bump it up 15 minutes after a little while. Well, for the past 3 days my Jesus time has been averaging an hour and 15 minutes every day. That is so encouraging to me, that I'm able to be focused and really be focusing on God's word and what the Holy Spirit is saying to me for that amount of time. So, praise the Lord!
We went to Manhatten bible today, which we also did yesterday. We went earlier today though because we helped with the food pantry there with Mr. Jones. It was such a blessed time--we just packed grocery bags full of groceries--but the people we were working with, the people running the food pantry, Mr and Mrs Jones, are such lovely people with servants hearts, just so excited for the work of the Lord.
After that we crossed the street and went to our perspective classes. I didn't write yesterday so I'll fill you in about the after school program at Manhatten bible, which is called Operation Exodus. Carey and I are with the pre-schoolers, and believe me, they need the both of us. I don't know how they do it when we aren't there. Anyways, the kids are so adorable--some are bad, yes, but most just want attention, and only know how to get it by acting out. One little boy Jaden often gets in trouble, but I noticed throughout the day how he is often provoked by other children, and reacts with his fists instead of his words. So, I was happy to be able to save him a trip to the time out when I saw a complete interaction with him and another boy. I later took him by himself and was able to play with him one on one, rewarding him with praise when he did good things, like be kind or sit quietly and color nicely inside the lines.
As for my title, most of the kids are bi-lingual, even at that young age, and constantly slip in and out of English and Spanish, which means I have to as well--which is great practice for me! In one such instance, a little girl, named Luiza, kept asking for her leche de cow. At first I didn't hear here, and I had to ask her to repeat herself even after I had--it took me a minute to realize that all she wanted was her milk. Her mixture of Spanish, "leche," and English, "cow," had quite caught me offguard. A funny instance in the process of learning a language.
We got done right as a torrential downpour started. We had barely gone the one block to our bus-stop when we were completely soaked, having forgot our umbrellas, of course. So we crammed into the bus with a million other people, all equally soaked. The thunder rolled and the lightening cracked with unusual immensity, and many of us ladies on the bus screamed. It was a little scary, but the bus driver was skilled! We got home safely, changing to a much emptier bus where we had seats and also had a friendly chat with a lovely old lady.
We got home and changed out of our soaking clothes into warm sweatpants and delicious leftovers.
And that's it! Pray for strength from weariness, and for funds to keep coming.
Love to you all!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Helado!
Good Tuesday!
I can't believe I've only been here about 4 days. Talking with Melanie from my team, we feel as though we've been here a week or too. It's amazing how easily how bodies and minds can get into a routine without knowing it.
I'll quickly recap about the 2 days. Yesterday started our first day of sessions, which we have Mondays and Tuesdays. Mike Holland and Pastor Carlos Rodriguez, a Cuban pastor who just started a church in Tampa, Florida, came late Sunday night and were our "mentors," or session speakers for yesterday and today. The focus was all about prayer, which was really need. Just exploring how we can have a more intimate prayer life--talking about why we find it hard to focus and make time. We were session from 9 to 3:30, with several 10 minute breaks and an hour break for lunch. It was a very exhausting experience, as we were engaging ourselves emotionally and mentally, which can be just as exhausting as physical exercise.
The title of my blog today has to do with our immersion in Spanish! Carlos knows almost no English, so we got to practice our Spanish a lot. During our 1 hour break yesterday the 5 of us went with Carlos across the street from the church to find a phone card so he could call his wife, and we went to a store where he bought a tub of "helado," that is, icecream! We ate that later, which was fun. It's one of those words the team won't ever say in English again :)
Carey and I probably know the most Spanish, so we give little lessons throughout day, just with simple phrases and pointing out any nouns we know. We have started labeling things in the apartment, which is a great excercise in expanding our vocabulary.
Today we had more sessions, still on prayer. We talked more about different kinds of prayer and did some exercises in them(we did that yesterday too). I was pretty exhausted from staying up later talking with Mike and Carlos and then getting up early for Breakfast Ministry...so, my main prayer was for strength.
Keep my funds in your prayers, and me in your thoughts and prayers. If you aren't on my prayer list and wish to be, please message me on facebook, because I'll be sending my first prayer email our soon here.
Here is my address in the Bronx--please just send me letters unless I ask for something else, cause there won't be a guarantee that anyone will be around to recieve a package:
Evi Long
c/o Priority 1 Ministries/UDC
490 E. 181st St., Apt. 4A
Bronx, NY 10457
I love you all!!
I can't believe I've only been here about 4 days. Talking with Melanie from my team, we feel as though we've been here a week or too. It's amazing how easily how bodies and minds can get into a routine without knowing it.
I'll quickly recap about the 2 days. Yesterday started our first day of sessions, which we have Mondays and Tuesdays. Mike Holland and Pastor Carlos Rodriguez, a Cuban pastor who just started a church in Tampa, Florida, came late Sunday night and were our "mentors," or session speakers for yesterday and today. The focus was all about prayer, which was really need. Just exploring how we can have a more intimate prayer life--talking about why we find it hard to focus and make time. We were session from 9 to 3:30, with several 10 minute breaks and an hour break for lunch. It was a very exhausting experience, as we were engaging ourselves emotionally and mentally, which can be just as exhausting as physical exercise.
The title of my blog today has to do with our immersion in Spanish! Carlos knows almost no English, so we got to practice our Spanish a lot. During our 1 hour break yesterday the 5 of us went with Carlos across the street from the church to find a phone card so he could call his wife, and we went to a store where he bought a tub of "helado," that is, icecream! We ate that later, which was fun. It's one of those words the team won't ever say in English again :)
Carey and I probably know the most Spanish, so we give little lessons throughout day, just with simple phrases and pointing out any nouns we know. We have started labeling things in the apartment, which is a great excercise in expanding our vocabulary.
Today we had more sessions, still on prayer. We talked more about different kinds of prayer and did some exercises in them(we did that yesterday too). I was pretty exhausted from staying up later talking with Mike and Carlos and then getting up early for Breakfast Ministry...so, my main prayer was for strength.
Keep my funds in your prayers, and me in your thoughts and prayers. If you aren't on my prayer list and wish to be, please message me on facebook, because I'll be sending my first prayer email our soon here.
Here is my address in the Bronx--please just send me letters unless I ask for something else, cause there won't be a guarantee that anyone will be around to recieve a package:
Evi Long
c/o Priority 1 Ministries/UDC
490 E. 181st St., Apt. 4A
Bronx, NY 10457
I love you all!!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
First full day!--Compelling messages and Little Italy
Hello loveys!
It's my first full day, and it has been a grand one! I'll start at the beginning...
I woke around 8:15, after having a rather restful sleep, which I am very pleased about. :) I was able to have my morning tea, having brought my tea basket and some loose-leafed tea from Tranquilitea. We headed to church around 9:30, taking bus Bx36 to E Tremont...I think I could do it by myself, which is very good, because going to and from Fellowship Chapel pretty often. We were there a little before Sunday school, so Bonnie introduced us to some of the church members who were there. The church is very, very small, but it's cozy that way. I liked it a lot. We met Pastor Lou and his wife, Sister Michele, and there son LouMike.
Pastor Lou taight Sunday school, and boy was it compelling! Really, I was on the edge of my seat and took several pages of notes. What really struck me was he talked about the "common grace" that God has placed in all people, that God can use whomever he pleases--yes, that includes non-believers! All truth is God's truth, and he can reveal himself through truths realized by non-believers. The key is how to grab hold of the common grace with non-believers and help them see where it comes from. It was one of the best messages I've heard, probably--and it was just sunday school!
He also touched on the subject of Pastor Terry Jones in Florida, and his Qu'ran burning mania. Thank Jesus he didn't do it, and I mean that--thank the Lord. Pastor Lou gave the example of him doing it as someone burning a bridge BEFORE they cross it, instead of after...simply foolishness. I was almost in tears when he brought up the fact of that kind of action maybe not affected those in the U.S, but of our brothers and sisters in countries--especially muslim countries--already hostile to the gospel, and what kind of persecution it could have meant, and maybe still will mean, for them.
After church Sister Dorine took us downstairs and gave us orientation for the Breakfast ministry, which is serving breakfast to homeless people--something I got the privilidge to do when I was in the Bronx this summer on a Priority 1 missions trip.
We came home to DELICIOUS smells from the oven, all credit to Bonnie. We played a couple rounds of Dutch Blitz before eating a scrumpteous lunch. Then we relaxed, I read more of my On Being a Missionary book, which isn't nearly as boring as I have been anticipating, once I get into it.
At around 3:20 the five of us STEPers, Me, Carey, Ben, Melanie, and Emily set out on our first adventure. We headed out to Little Italy in the Bronx, just a short walk from the apartment. Now, there is a Little Italy in Manhatten, but the one in the Bronx is about 50 times better. We got a little lost, but Ben took the initiative and asked for directions and got us there in notime. The reason we had chosen to go today is because there was a festival going on in Little Italy! The street was blocked off, there with booths and loud music playing. We tasted from fresh mozzerella, got free "italian" espresso samples, and checked out a lovely little bakery. We also roamed around an indoor market in a warehouse, were there was lots of butcher shoppe booths and fresh produce. There was a guy there playing live music and singing in Italian--he had a fantastic voice. There were barrels of olives, and we saw lamb brains and every part of a lamb known to be eaten. We bought some Nutella there because Emily has never had it! The ingrediants and such were all in italian. So, despite the rain it was very fun!
I came home and we watched the football game--the Eagles lost, unfortunately. I learned a little more about football because Melanie is canadian and doesn't know football (she's a hockey fan, of course), so Bonnie and Carey, who are football experts, were explaining a lot of the game to her. It's fun having Melanie on the team because she hasn't tried or heard of a lot of the stuff we have, so new experiences are always happening. And of course, she knows and has tried lots of stuff the rest of us haven't, so we are all learning a lot. Next on our list is getting her a soft pretzel, which she has never had.
Alright, this is a hundred years long, but I hope you enjoy. Ben and Carey are teaching everyone how to play Rook, which I've never played, so I think I'll go watch.
Thank you again for all your prayers, and I think this is really going to be a great thing! Until next time,
amor siempre en Cristo!
It's my first full day, and it has been a grand one! I'll start at the beginning...
I woke around 8:15, after having a rather restful sleep, which I am very pleased about. :) I was able to have my morning tea, having brought my tea basket and some loose-leafed tea from Tranquilitea. We headed to church around 9:30, taking bus Bx36 to E Tremont...I think I could do it by myself, which is very good, because going to and from Fellowship Chapel pretty often. We were there a little before Sunday school, so Bonnie introduced us to some of the church members who were there. The church is very, very small, but it's cozy that way. I liked it a lot. We met Pastor Lou and his wife, Sister Michele, and there son LouMike.
Pastor Lou taight Sunday school, and boy was it compelling! Really, I was on the edge of my seat and took several pages of notes. What really struck me was he talked about the "common grace" that God has placed in all people, that God can use whomever he pleases--yes, that includes non-believers! All truth is God's truth, and he can reveal himself through truths realized by non-believers. The key is how to grab hold of the common grace with non-believers and help them see where it comes from. It was one of the best messages I've heard, probably--and it was just sunday school!
He also touched on the subject of Pastor Terry Jones in Florida, and his Qu'ran burning mania. Thank Jesus he didn't do it, and I mean that--thank the Lord. Pastor Lou gave the example of him doing it as someone burning a bridge BEFORE they cross it, instead of after...simply foolishness. I was almost in tears when he brought up the fact of that kind of action maybe not affected those in the U.S, but of our brothers and sisters in countries--especially muslim countries--already hostile to the gospel, and what kind of persecution it could have meant, and maybe still will mean, for them.
After church Sister Dorine took us downstairs and gave us orientation for the Breakfast ministry, which is serving breakfast to homeless people--something I got the privilidge to do when I was in the Bronx this summer on a Priority 1 missions trip.
We came home to DELICIOUS smells from the oven, all credit to Bonnie. We played a couple rounds of Dutch Blitz before eating a scrumpteous lunch. Then we relaxed, I read more of my On Being a Missionary book, which isn't nearly as boring as I have been anticipating, once I get into it.
At around 3:20 the five of us STEPers, Me, Carey, Ben, Melanie, and Emily set out on our first adventure. We headed out to Little Italy in the Bronx, just a short walk from the apartment. Now, there is a Little Italy in Manhatten, but the one in the Bronx is about 50 times better. We got a little lost, but Ben took the initiative and asked for directions and got us there in notime. The reason we had chosen to go today is because there was a festival going on in Little Italy! The street was blocked off, there with booths and loud music playing. We tasted from fresh mozzerella, got free "italian" espresso samples, and checked out a lovely little bakery. We also roamed around an indoor market in a warehouse, were there was lots of butcher shoppe booths and fresh produce. There was a guy there playing live music and singing in Italian--he had a fantastic voice. There were barrels of olives, and we saw lamb brains and every part of a lamb known to be eaten. We bought some Nutella there because Emily has never had it! The ingrediants and such were all in italian. So, despite the rain it was very fun!
I came home and we watched the football game--the Eagles lost, unfortunately. I learned a little more about football because Melanie is canadian and doesn't know football (she's a hockey fan, of course), so Bonnie and Carey, who are football experts, were explaining a lot of the game to her. It's fun having Melanie on the team because she hasn't tried or heard of a lot of the stuff we have, so new experiences are always happening. And of course, she knows and has tried lots of stuff the rest of us haven't, so we are all learning a lot. Next on our list is getting her a soft pretzel, which she has never had.
Alright, this is a hundred years long, but I hope you enjoy. Ben and Carey are teaching everyone how to play Rook, which I've never played, so I think I'll go watch.
Thank you again for all your prayers, and I think this is really going to be a great thing! Until next time,
amor siempre en Cristo!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
The Bronx, day 1!
Hello all!
I made it to New York! After getting no sleep last night, I am almost reeling, but forcing myself to stay awake until a usual bedtime hour so I can keep a healthy sleep schedule. I slept probably 3 hours in the car, so I'm managing.
I think my goodbyes were pretty good :) Knowing that I'll be seeing my family in November is comforting. We had a comissioning service at Fellowship Chapel BIC here in the Bronx--Pastor Rodriguez, a traveling speaker friend of Mike's from Cuba spoke, in Spanish, and I understood a LOT of it, before Mike translated it.
I haven't gotten my computer yet, so I'm using Steve and Bonnie Westberry's, so i don't want to take up too much time on here. Plus I have a lot of reading to do--that's right, homework already!
Please feel free to email me, and I'll have my address on here as soon as I find out what it is. If you send me mail, please just letters or small padded envelopes, and don't send anything through UPS--it's just a hassle, and the post office will do a great job.
Keep me in your prayers,
Amor siempre en Cristo!
Evi
I made it to New York! After getting no sleep last night, I am almost reeling, but forcing myself to stay awake until a usual bedtime hour so I can keep a healthy sleep schedule. I slept probably 3 hours in the car, so I'm managing.
I think my goodbyes were pretty good :) Knowing that I'll be seeing my family in November is comforting. We had a comissioning service at Fellowship Chapel BIC here in the Bronx--Pastor Rodriguez, a traveling speaker friend of Mike's from Cuba spoke, in Spanish, and I understood a LOT of it, before Mike translated it.
I haven't gotten my computer yet, so I'm using Steve and Bonnie Westberry's, so i don't want to take up too much time on here. Plus I have a lot of reading to do--that's right, homework already!
Please feel free to email me, and I'll have my address on here as soon as I find out what it is. If you send me mail, please just letters or small padded envelopes, and don't send anything through UPS--it's just a hassle, and the post office will do a great job.
Keep me in your prayers,
Amor siempre en Cristo!
Evi
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