We had a great time at Metro Ministries in Brooklyn. The craziest part was probably driving into NYC the first day. If you can drive in NYC, you can drive anywhere. 
When we finally made it to Metro Ministries, we were about an hour late due to traffic. We were rushing to nibble on whatever food we could as we were split up to go with different ministry teams throughout NYC. Some of us went to the Bronx, some to Harlem, and some to Coney Island. It took about an hour or more to drive to the sidewalk Sunday school sites. By the time we got there, schools were getting ready to let out the kids. We helped set up the truck and passed out a few flyers, then the kids came.
(This is a picture of the first site that we did.)
The team that we went out with do 3 sites a day, 4 days a week. They work 6 days a week, but do sidewalk 4 of the 6 days. Saturday is their bus ministry day. Sunday they have church. They were preparing for a big event the Sunday that we left. One thing that I noticed was that the Metro staff was energetic and had great attitudes. They were just as energetic on Saturday was they were when we arrived. Enjoy some pictures:
(Outside the window where we stayed.)
(The building where we ate and slept.)
(It was a cold day. This sidewalk Sunday school was literally on the sidewalk.)
(Our crew sorting candy.)
(A 9-11 memorial that I thought was cool.)
(Time Square)
(Some of the crew riding the subway.)
(The stage at Saturday bus ministry.)
When the Power House team went to NY we were able to bring back some of the “Metro way’s” to GR. I used the way they do quiet seats and some of the way they encouraged the kid’s in NY “Yogi Bear Sunday school” It seemed to help w/keeping the kids tuned in to lesson time. I believe we will profit in many ways from this trip. One thing, as I did home visits for the kids there, that really hit home w/me was the fact that we take so much for granted…like having a safe place to live and for our kids to play. As I walked into the buildings where the children lived there was gang graffiti on the hall way walls, bullet holes in doors and in the windows, bars on windows…kids have to be in when the street light comes on so they won’t get hit by a stray bullet or something else happen. I was reading a card that one of the Metro papers published in their news letter that a little girl made for Christmas, it said never laugh at a Crip. The crips are one of the gangs there in NY they are also in many other cities throughout the USA. Kids look for love and acceptance any where they can get it and sometimes that acceptance comes in the gang life, which includes; violence, drugs, and ultimately a life of crime and destruction. That’s why Power House is so important and ministries like Metro. We need to reach these kids and show them the love of Christ our savior, and let them know that God has a better plan for them. Bad things may have already happened but God can use those things and turn there lives around. It’s not enough to just win them as young kid’s but we need to not let them slip through the cracks. Many of the homosexuals I ministered to in the village in NY went to “Yogi Bear” but now are believing and living in a life of deception that the enemy sold them. They would get so excited when I would mention Yogi Bear Sunday school. When I asked what happened, why they don’t go to church any more, a couple of different ones responded,”oh that’s for kids, that’s when I was young minded.” People let’s not let the enemy sell that lie to our kids. Let’s not let them find acceptance in the gangs or homosexual community let’s sell our LIT program. Let’s mentor them lets keep track and prepare them for those lies that the devil will try to sell them and help them find the boldness to say NO I don’t believe your lies and I know that God has a better plan for me. LET’S NOT GROW WEARY IN WELL DOING (Gal.6:9). You are an awesome vessel that God is using don’t forget even a smile and a high five, letting them know that you care and so does God, can make a world of difference to a child.
Char, I should of had you write the post.
Any time…I love to write, I have a passion for it.
Hi Char,
Awesome website I like all the stories about what everyone did.
Love You,
Mary Lou