better to be busy...

than bored... right?!

Things are busy here at Metro.. but it is all good! So last Tuesday-18th we got sorted into our Units for Sidewalk Sunday school. This is when we go out in Trucks from Tuesday-Friday to different locations over NYC preaching the word of God! I am in Unit 13 placed in Spanish Harlem right by Manhattan. We spent all week preparing for that. We started on Tuesday 25th. The whole experience of it is awesome! Below is my Team... from back left.. Danilo from Switzerland, Jason (unit leader) from Canada, Izzy from California, Front, Irene (staff) from Belarus, moi and Kathy (staff) rom Ecuador.

It has been hard at times trying to get used to the format and schedule, but has been fun! I had to dress up as Yogi bear one day... but the craziest moment was standing on 2nd avenue, during rushhour, preaching about how satan is defeated, to 30 kids sitting on the sidewalk, while the New yorkers rush by. You take a day off sidewalk sunday school each week to go and Visit your site (you manage a day of SSS). So on Thursday Izzy and I ventured into 3 different projects (flats)... this was rather scary. We go knocking on Kids doors handing out flyers to invite them to yogi bear. God really really provided, protecting us from any danger.. Praise to him.. the only low point was I stood in a big puddle of urine in the elevator.. and it wasn't from an animal...

Some shots from SSS

So aside from sidewalk this week we have been in class each morning. Tomorrow sees the start of Indoor Sunday School. This happens each saturday at the church here in Brooklyn. 3 sessions in a row.. kids are collected and dropped back to their neighbourhoods. I am riding on 2 of the buses and helping in Nursery.. we have been preparing for that too.

Sunday we have church in the Morning here in Brooklyn, then in the afternoon my unit take a bus to Harlem and collect some of our kids and parents and take them to church in the Bronx for an afternoon service. That is such an amazing ministry... the relationship the staff workers have with these people is great. The people are so awesome.. one lady invited us into her house when we were out visiting on Thursday and gave us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with ice tea to wash it down!

As the days go on I'm so impressed by this ministry. They reach out to so many groups of people, kids, parents, young and to the different communities and groups, eg they have a ministry with the prostitutes in this area and a child sponsorship program. That is the reason us interns are so busy.. we are getting to experience every aspect of this ministry and so help out with all. It is quite overwhelming to be completely honest.. the days are long and tiring and we get very little time free.. but it is enjoyable, testing and really interesting.. I am looking forward to being in a routine, when I know exactly what I'm doing and when.. at the minute it feels like being back at Uni for the first time, not quite sure of everything..But I'm sure it won't be long until I'm in the way of things.

I'm really sorry for no reply to emails.. I am not making excuses, but really I get very limited time to do anything. Please email me guys with all your updates of home! I have been thinking about home and all you friends and family today.. would love to hear from you guys! Also I got a cell phone this week, I'm in the process of figuring it out as it is a very very cheap old school handset, so when I do I shall be able to text for very cheap...

I shall leave with a little thought from my crazy week...

Serving the Lord is a priviledge... whether you serve him by preaching the word, or by cleaning toilets. In our daily lives we are serving him whether we are doing mission work or not... we are an example, people watch those who know the Lord, we need to be aware of this at all times and walk in holiness. I also have been learning about God using us in our weakness... Satan tries to tell us that we are not capable and so we shy away from seizing opportunities, but the word says that God uses us in our weakness.. on Tuesday when I was SO scared about doing my first sidewalk.. the Holy Spirit showed up and took over.. praise the Lord.. but in order for this to happen I had to be oh so aware of Satan trying to stir up fear.. so Today, ask God for his power to do exactly what he desires for you to do, and go do it boldly- with confidence in the Holy Spirit... sermon over and out

Silence is golden...

... or is it?!

I'm sorry there have been no posts in a while, I am crazily busy busy busy, so busy that this is he only 5 minutes I could grab online so far in last few days... but I will do a proper update soon as lots of cool stuff is going on over here...

Please pray as we started sidewalk sunday school yesterday... it was awesome- God was SO good to us, using us depite our weaknesses, just pray that the word of God would penetrate the kids and adults hearts this week. Thanks.. I'll post soon,

mucho amores

St.Patty's Day...

.. is celebrated way more here than in ireland.. and they can't even spell it right!! We went downtown today.. the place was hiving with many many people pretending to be irish, dressed up etc..

I was too short to see anything, but what I did see wasn't overly impressive.! As it was a nice day we went up the Rockafellar center.. which was lovely, got some good pictures.

This is Lene From Norway on the Left and Nati from Spain on the right.

I'm still not back to full health.. but getting there slowly but surely.. thanks for prayers so far people! Keep interceeding!

As you can see I've added some photos for your viewing pleasure this time.. below is where we live. It used to be the Mayor of Brooklyn's house back in the 1800's.

Tomorrow sees the start of our work, we find out which area we will be in and will be planning, we will begin Sidewalk Sunday School next Tuesday all being well!

Please continue to pray, especailly that God will give me compassion and his heart for the people I'll be working with and that I will be disciplined in my own personal study. Thanks again..

Happy Saint Patty's Day Y'all!

End of week one...

...seems like so much longer.
We've been hardcore training all week which was good but hardcore indeed! Americans start everything earlier in the morning, so we have breakfast each day at 7.

We are having a staff retreat at the minute, last night, this morning and tonight, where Pastor Bill Wilson is speaking himself.. been good so far.

Still trying to adjust to this culture and things, so would ask that you pray that all interns will gel well, and pray also for the teams, which are being decided this weekend/early week.

Also please pray for my health as I am taking something relating to my throat, ears and chest.. I'm dosing up on Tylenol but feel a bit spaced out because of it.. other people are sick too, so please pray that we'll be healed and built up as we go out this week to see our areas and start planning... thanks.

Brooklyn baby...

.. so it is Sunday here. Already feels like I've been here for so long! We went to Metro church this morning, which was amazing... really different, in a good way! We then went for a dander down broadway here in Brooklyn; it is so weird here, like home everything is open on Sundays, but not only that, everyone goes shopping, including Christians!

Anyway, all is good, today it is sunny, very cold but sunny! Tomorrow is our last day off before we begin offically so we'll probably head downtown and do some of the sights!!

I'm very aware I've posted a blog everyday since arrival.. this won't continue as we've been told from tomorrow on it will be hardcore working!

By the way... thanks for all texts/emails, I haven't worked out how much I'm getting charged to receive texts (if anything) and how much it is costing me to send, so until I know, I'm sorry for no reply!

that's all for now... over and out!

I made it to New York...

the title says it all, I'm sitting in my new 'home' in Brooklyn, it is nearly 6pm here so I guess that is 1am at home.. travelling alone was surprisingly fine and quite liberating but I did kind of freak out when I arrived into the terminal and noone was there but scary people offering me taxis!! but the Lord was really really good and ordered everything in my favour today.. Praise to him...

All seems fine, Most of the other interns are european, I'm severely outnumbered because I don't speak German.. but still more to arrive this evening and tomorrow... anyhow I have no idea what is happening over next few days etc but would appreciate prayer that I'll settle in and develop friendships... all is very very surreal I guess due to tiredness and stuff but once I settle in I'm sure it will be great!

Didn't think I'd be posting so soon, let's hope this is a trend being set for my time out here!