New York City, March 8, 2012

Home.  It feels just like home.  I love this place, I love this ministry.  I could hardly wait to show the teens the city.

We partnered with John, (who sounds like Sid the Sloth), who has been here for 10 years, he remembered the name of our group, although he couldn't remember me.

We went to a Spanish Men's Rehabiliation Centre called WAY OUT.  We did a service, drama, songs, then Avril stood up and told the teens his story.  It was amazing to hear how God had moved in his life to bring him here.

Then, a man named Alex stood up to give his testimony, he wanted to say it in Spanish and get it translated, but he kept flipping back into English--they were both great.

Then, the group sang us two songs.  Everyone had some kind of instrument.  It was upbeat, with Spanish feel/tempo and was beautiful to watch.

They fed us lunch, which was so humbling, then we went out into the back yard to hang out in the sun and play basketball and soccer.  John, our leader from NYSUM said it was time to go back, but the men didn't want us to leave, so I negotiated that I would get the teens back to NYSUM.  I have never done Bronx to Queens on my own, but -- seriously -- how hard could that be?

It wasn't.  We left at 1 pm--as we were walking up the street, as we'd pass, people would raise their hands, shout GLORY!  It was really amazing.  As we crossed one street, a man shouldered me.  You know that side tackle that leaves a girl breathless?

I immediately checked my bag, nothing was missing, but it took me time to gather myself.  As I look up a lady is arms raised, saying Glory, Glory, MMmmmHHHmmm!  Glory Sistah.

I took the teens to 5th and Lexington, purposefully came out the 7th Ave exit, so we could walk up to Madison and then to 5th street.

They all needed to tee-tee so we stopped at the first McDonalds we see, and they wanted food.  So after some time, I said, Up and At EM!  We didn't come to New York to see the McDonalds!

I walked them up 5th Avenue, past 30 Rock, St. Patrick's Cathedral (we went in for some time), FAO Schwartz and the Apple store.

By the time we'd done that it was time to go back to NYSUM for dinner--all were very happy to get off their feet!

Our evening ministry is and has always been a favourite of every team we have brought here.  We pack the van with food, toiletries, clothes and blankets and we hit the city.  We don't just throw the stuff at the homeless, but stay and talk.  More often than not, you hear them say, I haven't talked to anyone in a month.  No one will make eye contact with me.  We stay as long as they are wanting us, then we move on.

Our destination was Penn Station, which is under Madison Square Gardens.  I stayed at the van to make sure that we didn't get a ticket and if needed, I would circle the block until the teens, Ben and Daniel our leader came out.

Several people came to the van looking for help, I directed them into Penn Station.  Once again, the teens were not nervous, weren't shy, they just jumped right in and did what they needed to.  Again, it was a favoured night.