after-school kids

Snow!

These pictures were taken across the street from my apartment building. I glanced out the window and was shocked to see all the snow! I walked around and played in it until my fingers were numb...so beautiful.

Bowery Update

As the career development course at the Bowery Women’s Mission is in its final weeks, I want to bring you up-to-date on what’s been going on. In previous posts I’ve mentioned how many of the women are in the process of dealing with various issues. Each are doing so well but struggle daily as they heal from their previous addictions, relationships and circumstances.

Sadly over the course of four weeks we have lost four of our students. The first two left the program in mid-November. It broke my heart. It was very disappointing to see them go and not get to say goodbye. I had so much hope for them. I worked with one woman closely every week as she was preparing to interview for jobs.

Shortly after, Sandy got news that another had walked out. She was having a very hard time living among the other women and decided she would return to the shelter system to hide. This made me so upset and frustrated.

On Friday, we got news that Missy left. Just last week I helped her with her resume and we identified an entry level position and discussed how she can move towards her dream job of being a drug counselor. Two weeks ago I read a book report she wrote about the importance of trusting God and his Word. She was doing so well.

It’s so easy for me to ask, “God, what are you thinking? and why?” But God is in control, He has the big picture. I can only pray for them now and hope they are finding their way and relying on the Lord. We have to pray for each woman remaining in the house, that they would persevere and trust the Lord.

Through these disappointments, I can’t overlook the huge progress of the other women in our class. God is healing hurts and transforming hearts. Women who have spent their entire lives trying to live in their own power but failed miserably, now have purpose and hope. It’s amazing to see women come to know Christ, receive practical life skills and resources and make true life changes. Thank you Lord for being faithful!

Box of Love Packing Party

The 2008 Box of Love Packing Party was a success! 650 volunteers came out on the coldest day of the season to pack 4,000 boxes of food for families in need. It was FREEZING! Tons of volunteers arrived by 9. The line went down the block and around the corner. They had to wait outside in the brutal winds but they stayed. The wind was so strong- the tents blew down, hot dogs buns and other items were escaping. We were able to move most of the stations inside the warehouse but there were volunteers who had to work outside. Hundreds worked in the warehouse while others were upstairs making gospel bead bracelets and praying. Exciting, great energy, fun, fast were words people used to describe the event.

My job for the day was taking pictures, interviewing volunteers and church leaders who were delivering the boxes. We are hoping to create a promotional video for next year’s event. I was also keeping an eye out for any press that showed up. By 10am, Channel 7 (ABC) came and shot footage of the event! We were all so excited they made it out and were hoping we would make the evening news. Someone joked that we would make it unless there was a fire. And guess what? There was a huge fire and we didn’t make the news. Oh well… I learned tons, made great contacts for next time and actually got a station to show up- so that’s a pretty good start.

I will be making calls next week to follow-up with a few of our partner churches but so far I’ve heard great things about what God did through a simple box of food.

After talking with two of our ministry partners- we know of 43 people who accepted Christ last weekend.

Praise the Lord!

Thanksgiving

Happy late Thanksgiving! I hope all of you enjoyed time with family and friends and reflected on all you have to be thankful for. Sadly, I didn’t make it back to SC but I enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving meal with my roommate and her family. I actually got to go to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! I can’t wait to be with my family over Christmas!!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in every thing give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thanksgiving Dinner

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

What’s Going On Behind The Scenes

Coming up on November 22nd is our Box of Love packing party! I’m trying to get media coverage for our event in hopes to build awareness and increase future volunteers and donations. I’ve been running around gathering contact info for radio stations, newspapers and TV news desks, faxing and emailing a press release, making follow-up calls and so much more. It’s really exciting. We already have a story running in the Brooklyn Daily News next Tuesday! I really want a TV station to come out to cover the event. Please pray that Saturday morning (the 22nd) will be a dead news day. If there is no breaking news, we may just be the most exciting thing going on. Increased awareness would really help move the ministry forward especially if we’re able to connect to new donors.

Besides tracking with local media, Boxes of Love comes with other responsibilities. I’ve been communicating with all of the volunteers. Praise God for all the hundreds of people willing to help pack 4,000 boxes!

It is truly is a busy season for Here’s Life. For most of our events, it’s all hands on deck. All staff- yep all seven of us-help plan and prepare. Almost every week, I’m helping copy, staple and package materials for a training or event registration.

Also, we’ve signed with a design company and will have our hands on our Web site by Friday. It will not go live for several more weeks but in the mean time I’ll be uploading content, images and hopefully creating a great site!

Please pray for me as I juggle various responsibilities. I’m glad I have the opportunity to serve “behind the scenes” as well as the opportunity to minister directly with women and children in need.

It is a privilege to live in this amazing city and serve in full time ministry!

I will not drink my juice like a dog!

For the past two weeks I have been serving at an after-school program in Harlem. This is officially where I will volunteer for the year! On Tuesdays and Thursdays I’m in charge of the second graders who attend the program. I have the privilege of tutoring two precious little boys I’ve mentioned before, Tyron and Glenroy. My first day as an official volunteer was interesting because well…I was completely unprepared. Tyron didn’t write his homework assignment down. Glenroy couldn’t sit still but breezed though his worksheet in no time leaving him with nothing to do. It was a challenge to occupy Tyron- I had him write sentences with his spelling words but poor thing lost interest in that after 5 minutes and was just restless the whole time I had him except for chapel and bible club. They didn’t listen very well and I hadn’t thought through how to discipline or what rules to set. I felt like nothing was going right. I looked around at all the other table and the kids were still and quiet. I was wondering what the other volunteers were thinking of me. During snack time, Glenroy kept sitting on his knees and lapping his juice like a dog. Oh man…I warned him several times before I took his juice and threw it away. Wow, did that make an impact! I realized the following week the importance of putting my foot down and throwing away the precious juice.

The next day at the office, I got to work preparing a lesson plan. I hand wrote math worksheets, printed worksheets on nouns and pronouns, got game ideas for counting coins, and dug flash cards out of a closet. I printed each worksheet on colored paper for extra fun. Next time Tyron showed up with no homework, I would be equipped to help him improve in his school work. I also typed up expectations/rules for our table and developed a reward system involving stickers for good behavior. Throughout my time with the boys, I will reward them for each rule they follow by placing a sticker on this sign I made out of a bright blue piece of cardstock – it has their name on it in funky letters. They get a prize once they collect 20 stickers. (I thought stickers may be silly for boys but Tyron thought it was great and found it exciting to pick out a sticker to decorate his card. He put so much thought into what sticker he would choose and where he would place it.)

When Thursday rolled around, I was ready but neither one of my boys came! As you can imagine I was disappointed but I was put to work at another table. I enjoyed getting to know a few of the other kids.

The day finally came when I got to implement all my new ideas! Tyron and Glenroy both came. I had my rules out and all my materials ready. Glenroy greets me and immediately says with wide eyes, “I will NOT drink my juice like a dog today. I don’t want you to throw it away!” I tried hard not to laugh and told Glenroy that was a great idea and I would not take his juice if he used his table manners. Shortly after that his mom came and I only had Tyron for the afternoon. As I read over ways to earn a sticker, I came to “having good table manners.” He chimed in, “I will NOT drink my juice like a dog, like Glenroy. I don’t want you to throw my juice away!” Who knew juice was such a big deal? He listened, stayed in his seat, paid attention, used manners and completed all the homework I gave him. I guess I succeeded in letting them know who was in charge!