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Mission Trip To New York City - 2003
It
has been a little over a year since I went on the NYC mission trip.
I can remember it as if it was yesterday. It was an awesome experience
to see how God moves and answers prayers as you are praying. From small
inconveniences to hearts being changed God is there. Praise be to the Lord
God almighty.
Let me tell you a little bit about the mission. We work with The Hope
center and The Relief bus of New York City located right outside the
city in New Jersey. They have two converted school buses that offer
food service and counseling/referral office. Their vision is to help
people. To bring hope and help to the homeless and disadvantaged of
the metro New York City area including Harlem and South Bronx. For more
information about the Hope center and Relief bus of New York City visit
their web sight at http:wwwnycr.org/mission.html
As for my own personal experience in a few words, heart wrenching, moving
and life changing. There is a whole other world out there and it's right
here in our homeland. When we arrived in Harlem my eyes could not believe
what they were seeing. The wrought iron bars on every window told a
story in it's self. A story of crime and fear. What marveled me was
the bars were not only on the street level windows but they went all
the way to the top floor! I didn't need to ask why they would need wrought
iron bars ten stories up. As my eyes took it all in I could see why.
The streets smell of stale urine and everything is dirty.You have to
look past the poverty to see inside the hearts of the people. Beneath
their tattered clothes and scruffiness there is a person whom God created.
A person who had a family, children, a job. A person who was like you
and me. I remember talking to a guy named Joe. Joe has aids and is addicted
to heroin and methadone. Joe had a wife and two children. Joe has a
story that I would love to share with you. A story that we can relate
to.He made some poor choices. Choices that led him to the streets of
Spanish Harlem. Where he lives in an abandoned building not knowing
if he will see the light of tomorrow. We shared the good news of Christ
but he felt unworthy in his condition to receive. The streets of metro
New York City are filled with men women and children like Joe. All with
a story to share if you have a heart to listen.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. After being there for
two days I saw things in a new light. The beauty is to see the look
in their eyes when you share the love of Christ. When you tell them
you are not getting paid to be there. You can see them thinking "why
would you leave your home and family to come here." Why, you say,
because I LOVE YOU AND GOD LOVES YOU AND YOU HAVE NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN.
I would like to share more and I encourage you to ask me any questions
you may have. I pray that God puts urban outreach on your heart. Go
and see. You will have a new appreciation and thankfulness for what
you have.
God Bless
In Him
Theresa Bartlett
"God has given each of you some special abilities;be sure to use
them to help each other,passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings."
1 Peter 4:10
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