Our morning started out early, as we traveled to Union Square (14th Street) to meet up with Susanne for a tour of NYU (New York University). Although it was raining, we were still able to see the beautiful buildings and even saw the arch that was in the movie August Rush!
Once inside of the buildings of the University, we sat in a lounge and listened while Susanne told us all about her chaplain position at the school and how God has used her in that place. After hanging out for a while, our group traveled down a few flights of stairs to the Christian office/department and had a prayer time before heading back out to find our lunch.
Our group split up for lunch, with the majority of people (including Dr. Brown) stopping at a pizza place. However, Jared was craving Mexican food, so we stopped at Qdoba, the closest to Mexican food that we could find.
From there, John Ramirez took our group to Queens to a Hispanic church, Iglesia la Palabra. They had some extra food from their lunch that they fed to us and it was delicious! Before heading out and leaving three of our team members there to work (Lacey Colborn, Seth Smith, and Kyle Morrison), our group prayed with the pastor, Winston, for his church and the community.
Promptly after praying, our group began our long journey back to the Upper West Side of Manhattan. We had just arrived back at Grand Central Station when Jared received a call from Kyle that Lacey had hit her head on a low hanging iron bar and needed to go to the emergency room for stitches. After hearing that, Dr. Brown corralled those of us left (Matt Lange, Erin Jeffries, Katy Aleshire, Jared Doyle, and I) and we quickly headed back toward the area from which we had just come.
On our way to the hospital, we learned that Lacey was okay, and that we were traveling to Flushing, a stop farther north than where we had previously been. However, we were not sure which hospital to go to or how to make our way there, but thankfully a nice woman on the subway informed us that she was going that way and would show us! The people of NYC are so willing to offer help when anyone seems even a slight bit lost!
So, we exited the train and followed her to our bus. She showed us which stop to get off and viola, we were at the hospital. We soon learned that we were at the wrong hospital. After quickly learning directions to the correct hospital, we were soon on our way. Upon our arrival at the correct hospital, we tried three different entrances before we found the right one and were soon taken to Lacey, and then to the waiting room.
I have no idea how long we were at the hospital, for Jared and I both fell asleep. As soon as Lacey was released (with staples!), we all headed back toward Manhattan. Jared and I stopped off at 34th Street for supper and a stop at K-Mart (since again we had no time for laundry), and then headed back toward Times Square to meet up with the rest of the group.
After arriving back at our housing, Jared and I went out for a dual purpose, ice cream and to check the hours of the Laundromat. We were determined to do laundry one way or the other! Before heading to bed, we learned that the five members of our group that did not have previous assignments were to work in the MNYBA building, freeing us to do laundry all day if we needed that much time.
The day was a long one for everyone and we were all glad that it was nearing its end.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Monday May 16, 2011
Monday was an informative and exploratory day. Our group traveled with Leslie, a semester missionary staying at the MNYBA, to Graffiti 2 in Mott Haven (the Bronx). When we arrived, we were introduced to Chris and his dog Proof (who are a part of the New York VBS mission curriculum for 2011!) and he told us the history behind Graffiti 2 and the work that the church does in Mott Haven. According to data, Mott Haven is the worst borough of New York City to raise children, and over half of the population of Mott Haven is children.
After a quick introduction, our small group split up to prayer-walk the area for approximately 30 minutes. It sprinkled the entire time until the last few minutes where it completely poured and we were all soon soaked through. We rested a bit and were preparing to leave when we were asked to help unload carpentry tools and housing items and carry those up to a second floor apartment. We quickly tackled the job and soon had the truck unloaded and the apartment full.
Our group then set out for the MNYBA building so we could obtain our afternoon assignments. Upon arriving, we were told that we were to spend the rest of the afternoon doing Soularium. Due to the rain, Jared, Katy and I decided to find a coffee shop in which we could set up. Starbucks is the most common coffee shop and can be found every couple of blocks (no exaggeration either). However, also because of the rain, every Starbucks near 72nd and Broadway were full with no empty tables.
With that, we set out for 34th street (Herald Square) where we knew of many more Starbucks locations. But alas, every single one was once again full! So, for about two and a half hours, Katy, Jared and I walked around in search of a place to set up with no avail. It was a disheartening afternoon.
We traveled back to our housing after a while and relaxed until supper time. When we became hungry, Jared and I traveled back to 34th street to eat at a Chinese restaurant. It was delicious! We spent a bit of time walking around the area and then headed back to our housing.
After arriving back, we realized that laundry was a must. However, it was 7:30 PM and the Laundromat closed at 8 PM. We realized we would simply have to wait until the next day.
Dr. Brown (our sponsor) arrived for a two night, one day stay in New York around 7:30 PM. At 10 PM, we had a small worship service with Brett, Lacey, and Matt leading the singing and Dr. Brown giving a word. It was greatly needed and well timed. He spoke on knowing God’s plans for us, and that we should realize that we do not deserve to know. God always tells us what He knows we need and what we can handle. Nothing more, nothing less.
After a quick introduction, our small group split up to prayer-walk the area for approximately 30 minutes. It sprinkled the entire time until the last few minutes where it completely poured and we were all soon soaked through. We rested a bit and were preparing to leave when we were asked to help unload carpentry tools and housing items and carry those up to a second floor apartment. We quickly tackled the job and soon had the truck unloaded and the apartment full.
Our group then set out for the MNYBA building so we could obtain our afternoon assignments. Upon arriving, we were told that we were to spend the rest of the afternoon doing Soularium. Due to the rain, Jared, Katy and I decided to find a coffee shop in which we could set up. Starbucks is the most common coffee shop and can be found every couple of blocks (no exaggeration either). However, also because of the rain, every Starbucks near 72nd and Broadway were full with no empty tables.
With that, we set out for 34th street (Herald Square) where we knew of many more Starbucks locations. But alas, every single one was once again full! So, for about two and a half hours, Katy, Jared and I walked around in search of a place to set up with no avail. It was a disheartening afternoon.
We traveled back to our housing after a while and relaxed until supper time. When we became hungry, Jared and I traveled back to 34th street to eat at a Chinese restaurant. It was delicious! We spent a bit of time walking around the area and then headed back to our housing.
After arriving back, we realized that laundry was a must. However, it was 7:30 PM and the Laundromat closed at 8 PM. We realized we would simply have to wait until the next day.
Dr. Brown (our sponsor) arrived for a two night, one day stay in New York around 7:30 PM. At 10 PM, we had a small worship service with Brett, Lacey, and Matt leading the singing and Dr. Brown giving a word. It was greatly needed and well timed. He spoke on knowing God’s plans for us, and that we should realize that we do not deserve to know. God always tells us what He knows we need and what we can handle. Nothing more, nothing less.
Sunday May 15, 2011
Sunday morning we headed out early to travel to the Lower East Side of Manhattan to attend Graffiti Church. This is the church that half of our group went to help feed the homeless and ended up cleaning out the bedbug infested house. After church, some of our group attended a small Bible study (like Sunday School) and others helped out with the children. Once finished there, we then received training in the evangelism tool known as Soularium (a random grouping of picture cards that people choose when asked what their life is like, how they wish it was, how their relationship with God is portrayed, etc.). This tool really opens the door for many conversations with many different types of people.
After the training, we began our trip back to the Upper West Side. Jared and I bought a pizza from Domino’s and ate as soon as we could (it was around 1:30 or 2 PM and we were starving!).
Around 4 PM, our entire group headed out toward New Hope Christian Church in Jamaica, Queens. This church’s pastor, Tom Richter, visited Hannibal-LaGrange in September of 2009 as the keynote speaker for HLGU’s annual Three Days in September.
The service began at 6 PM, and after, the church gave us cake and then we headed back to the Upper West Side.
After the training, we began our trip back to the Upper West Side. Jared and I bought a pizza from Domino’s and ate as soon as we could (it was around 1:30 or 2 PM and we were starving!).
Around 4 PM, our entire group headed out toward New Hope Christian Church in Jamaica, Queens. This church’s pastor, Tom Richter, visited Hannibal-LaGrange in September of 2009 as the keynote speaker for HLGU’s annual Three Days in September.
The service began at 6 PM, and after, the church gave us cake and then we headed back to the Upper West Side.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)