nyc edition_day-4

one of our group members just shared a sad, but true, observation with me. the difficult part about dealing with most of these kids is that when we give them love they don't return it.
we aren't just being selfish. i am sure it may be some of that because, well, we are not perfect. but the other reason this is difficult to deal with is that the "bad" kids we normally work with act the way they do because they just want love. and normally when we give it they are so appreciative, and it moves them so much, that they return it. this shows us that we were effective. that we got through with love. and that there is hope for them. but when we show love and we get rudeness and disrespect in return, it can be a little disheartening.
but we can't let it drag us down. because it's not about us. this very well ma be a lesson in understanding that no matter what we do, the effective things are God working through us and through others. we don't do it. we can't. we have to have faith in Him, and if we think it is us then our hearts are not in the right place.
also, the coolest things on this trip haven't even come with the kids! twice this week we have had girls come back from a different ministry talking about feeling the Holy Spirit give them the words to share the gospel. that is amazing!
everyday some of our group takes a couple boxes of sandwiches to an area in the neighborhood where the homeless congregate. they pass out the sandwiches and spend some time mingling. today when they came back, amanda had a story about an old man named (possibly joey). she said he has muscular dystrophy and a big beard. he has gone through a lot in his life, and he was just happy to have some love. after hearing his story, amanda was able to share the gospel with him in conversation without preaching at him. she is not sure exactly how he received it, but is trusting God to continue working in his life. elizabeth had a similar story.
on tuesday nights, the pastors wife leads a small Bible study at a nearby women's shelter. tonight almost all of our girls went to help (allison came with us guys and amy, the summer missionary here, to central park/st. johns cathedral/columbia university). it was a good thing so many of our girls were able to go tonight. they had about 10 women come to the study. the pastor's wife said this was the most they had ever had. they had a fun night of painting nails and talking. and elizabeth had a fun night sharing the gospel...in spanish! elizabeth is not quite fluent, but she grew up around spanish and spent some time in spain recently. but tonight she ahd all the words she needed! she said she began sharing the gospel with the woman in spanish, and came away from the conversation feeling like she wasn't even sure of what all she said, but the woman heard it. and again, she didn't have a conversion experience right there, but we are all trusting this woman into God's hands. we know He is faithful to finish the work he has started. please be praying for joey and the hispanic woman. we know they are in good hands!
oh, and as for the rest of the day: kidz klub was fine (it went a little smoother than yesterday, but there were still a few problems[some of the kids do not show our people any sort of respect and made one of our girls cry a little today, please pray for them]), we had real, new-york-style pizza for dinner, the girls went to the woman's shelter, daniel and jeremy saw a concert in central park, me, gary, allison, dwayne and amy saw st. john's cathedral, and allison and i walked around columbia university (it is by far the coolest college campus i have ever seen. there were huge, old buildings and little patches of grass everywhere. allison was very excited about all of the libraries, especially the main one, and about the statue of the thinker. i was very excited too. i think i may apply to columbia for grad school.)
ok, that is all i have the strength to write. i hope you have enjoyed it. i also hope that you will continue to pray for us and for the kids and for the various other ministries we are doing here. have a great day! we will see you all soon!