Start spreadin’ the news…

New York was challenging, uncomfortable, stretching, wonderful, and refining.  My heart is broken for the people of this city.  While we read our pastor’s book about how to most effectively relate to and share the Gospel with the Islam community, we encountered multiple religions. 

And speaking of sharing the Gospel, aka evangelism (because the word “evangel” means “Good News” = the Gospel), I was, prior to this trip, very much against it.  I thought the only way that I could and should share Christ was through long, deep friendships, hoping that my friends would eventually see something different in me and thus realize their sin, need for Jesus, and would accept Him as their Savior and Lord of their life.  I had never experienced or participated in any sort of evangelical practice, and I had closed my mind to the idea that God could use it for His purposes. 

But God does not let His children, if they thirst for Him, go thirsty.  I desired Him and He revealed a little more of His power to me.  Once again, the Father replaced my doubts by allowing me to fall deeper in love with Him.  I so often try to limit Christ to my mind, my experiences, my comfort.  Oh but He is SO much more than that.  Dave Turner, the Summit College Pastor, who led our trip, frequently stated that God became bigger to Him that week, and I would have to agree. 

Our group of 23 college students were split into triads (quarto trio!!!) to go out into various regions of the city to talk to people, ask questions, and to find hearts that were receptive to Christ.  I was scared and just felt awkward (there was LOTS of awkward conversations on this trip, most of which was hilarious). 

The first day we went out, Miles, Marissa and I were prayer walking when I saw two men (probably in their mid-forties/early fifties) coming toward us on the sidewalk.  I asked them where we could find some chai tea (to hopefully engage in a conversation with someone at a restaurant/store) and they told us they were going to a place now and for us to join them.  Long story short, the three of us spent about two hours with three Muslim men (one was very devout) who bought us chai tea and a Middle Eastern lunch.  We talked about their children, their jobs, their mosque, and all about Islam and Christianity.  We were able to share the Gospel with them over the course of the conversation and they politely declined.  I know that Christ was overjoyed.  Not in our words, but in the hearts of the three men.  Those men are experiencing the Holy Spirit.  They are incredibly humble, respectful—so much so that before we began to eat I asked if they wanted to pray over the food and asked if I could thank God for it, and they let me pray (they pray “five” (I say it in quotations because they told us themselves that they do not strictly follow this pillar of Islam) times a day so they do not pray over a meal). 

I was so overwhelmed and grateful that Christ allowed me that opportunity to share the intimacy with Him that I have with those men.  God’s faithfulness to me and to them is eternal.  

Another long story short/an event worth mentioning (this is the exact spot where Brad taught me how to shag!)

...Tuesday night a group of 6 of us: Brian, Jen, Brad, myself, Nick, and Rebecca...

...were invited by a group of Christian adults who were members of Times Square Church (which we visited) to attend a celebration of the Jewish holiday called "Shavuot", or the giving of the Torah.  The celebration, which was held at the Manhattan Jewish Community Center (crazy enough that we got to go...I had my Bible in my purse, ha!) lasted until 4am and had instructors leading sessions about various topics/arguments in the Jewish community all throughout the night.  The six of us had comforting Christian fellowship by just having each other, as well as our new Christian friends, in the room as we mingled with other people there.  God opened the door for me to have an insightful conversation with a Jewish woman, with whom I was able to share the Gospel.  

After our session ended we left at around 12:30am and headed back to the subway to make our way back into Queens where we were staying.  Needless to say, we got lost.  For 2 hours.  In the subways of New York.  The boys were trying to be manly and assigned themselves to each of us to "watch."  Brian was pretty much leading us that night through the subways, but it wasn't until Nick and I quickly prayed that God would just lead us home (we had to be up at 7am the next day, mind you) that we got on the right subway.  

Even though we got 4 hours of sleep that night, the trip was wonderful.  God has never shattered my doubts so quickly and I have never before felt so close to a group of people so quickly.  They all are crazy about Jesus and furthering the Gospel and His Kingdom.  I learn something from them everyday.  

Now for the random New York pictures...

One of the last nights of the trip our CP group split up into our two teams (Dager's Dangerous Dozen and The Eleven).  3-D had a wonderful dinner and then ran around the streets of New York playing ninja, eyes/toes, and tag-no-tag-backs to and from Wendy's where we shagged:

The last day Shelley and I shared the biggest sandwich I have ever laid eyes on...

Seriously. I couldn't handle it.

What's one of the first things a dancer's gotta do when she walks onto the streets of New York? Dance of course! Beautiful Christa and I doing barre on 8th Avenue. No big deal.

Last night in that beautiful place...heart to heart with sweet Jen :)

Because I promised a picture of *dazzling* purple house...ta-da!!

And these are the crazy, absolutely WONDERFUL, godly, fun, drop-dead gorgeous girls that with whom I abide :)...on the Brooklyn Bridge

   Jen Tay (my awesome roomie!), Jen (there's 3 on this trip), Christa, Laura, Christa, and myself. 

Let the chaos ensue...

City Project has officially begun!  My parents and I drove up to Durham on yesterday and got to the house—which is pink and purple (pictures WILL be coming, you have to see this)—at about 1-1:30pm.  We met the owner, Joanna Lynn, and she immediately put us to work (my kinda girl).  My dad, Joanna, and I worked on nailing the hard wood panels into the floor while my mom cleaned off a gazillion bookshelves.  There’s a decent amount of work on the floors that still needs to be done in our house, but it should be completely finished by the time we return from Queens, NY!  It should be noted, however, that all the girls had a place to sleep last night, so no worries there!

Speaking of the girls…there’s 6 of us.  Jen Tay arrived shortly after I did, so we got to pick the best room :) aka we don’t have to share a bed because we both move around in our sleep, which could and would likely be dangerous.  So she’s my roommate, and just graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a double major in Poli Sci and International Relations.  Then there’s Christa, who is a rising junior at Meredith and an Exercise and Sports Science major, who is rooming with Laura, who is a rising senior at NC State!  Christine just graduated from UNC as well and she is rooming with Jen, who is a rising Junior at State (woohoo!).  I already love all of these girls and am so excited to be living with girls who are older and wiser than myself.  Being the oldest of 3 kids, I’m usually the one who always knows what’s going on and answers questions.  But Lord knows I struggle with relinquishing control and completely trusting Him, so already He is at work! 

Joanna Lynn is awesome.  She is crazy enough to let 6 college girls live in her house!  There are 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, leaving 3 of each for us 6.  Other than the house being a work in progress, it is adorable.  Yes, from seeing the exterior, it looks like Crayola made a house built the house, but it is beautiful on the inside.  Joanna works with refugees through Church World Services and is well-traveled.  So there are all these knick-knacks from Asian and African countries scattered throughout her home; it is gorgeous (again, pictures will be coming!). 

After a day of moving our stuff, some of the guys’ stuff, and a trip to a sweet thrift store, we met all the City Project students and most of the staff at a nearby Ben and Jerry’s.  We were told virtually nothing about what we were going to be doing the next day, just to meet at Duke Gardens at 8:30am and wear comfy clothes.  We talked for 2 hours and then the 6 of us girls and some of the guys went to Kroger’s to grocery shop for the week!  We were given $50 and spent $49.35.  Success.  We all eat fairly healthy and Christine and I eat practically the same so that’s nice to have someone in the house that also doesn’t eat red meat or fried foods! 

We were up around 7:15 this morning and when we got to the gardens we prayed together and then everyone went out in the gardens to spend 2 hours in solitude with Christ.  We were given a passage in John 15 over which to pray…

It was difficult for me to quiet my thoughts enough at first to allow Him to refine my heart, as my mind was on other people that I wanted to pray for…my gratitude for other people's generosity to allow me to get here, my family, my sweet boyfriend, my girls, other City Project students.  But when I stopped to open my mind and spirit to let God in again, my prayers for other things were filled with so much more peace. 

I also bonded with/enjoyed watching/was occasionally afraid of lots of ducks and funny-looking birds by a pond…

After our time at Duke Gardens we were split up into teams (I’m Team 1, aka Dager’s Dangerous Dozen, because Jeremy Dager is our team leader, what what!).  The girls from D-cubed will be one discipleship group and the guys will have their own, and the same for Team 2, aka The Eleven.  Both teams were then given instructions and Dager’s Dangerous Dozen proceeded to dominate the “Durham Free Mason Race” where we saved the world from mass destruction in less than 4 hours.  Really we did a scavenger hunt in 98 degree weather with barely any breeze, carrying bags and bookbags, and pushing one of our teammates (a guy, no less) in a wheelchair the whole time (because a girl on the other team tore her ACL and had to be in one, so KJ decided to make it fair). 

We won the scavenger hunt; no surprise there.  I am quite experienced when it comes to scavenger hunts.  But we weren’t allowed to run at all, which was very difficult/frustrating and we couldn’t split up.  The hunt started at Duke Gardens and took us to the Durham Bulls stadiums, and ALL around downtown Durham.  It was great bonding/team building time…it quickly revealed personalities and was just very very hot. 

After our lunch at 2:45 (it was free, no complaints), we were dropped off at the house to shower and get ready.  Then we all went to Wendy Clark’s home, where 4 City Project girls are staying: Lauren, Sarah, Jenny, and Rebecca (Jenny and Rebecca are proud members of D-cubed).   All the City Project students, staff, and host families were there for a cookout and a relaxing time.  I love times like these where after a long day we remember our precious time with the Lord this morning, and how and why He has all brought us together. 

A bunch of the students then went to the guy’s apartments and played Catch Phrase and Family til about 10:30.  Bed is at 12:30.  Wish it was earlier.  I'm sure it will be tomorrow.