Our First Anniversary

(by Helen)

Bryan & I have been married for a year already.

Even with all the gifts we've been getting from family and friends and all the facebook wishes I don't think it fully hit us until this morning. But when it did - it hit us with an overwhelming gratitude to God for giving us each other, for giving us this year together, for sustaining us on our journey.

our anniversary breakfast in an undisclosed location in Brooklyn

our anniversary date - New Jersey Festival of Ballooning
(we found this little forgotten airplane and I couldn't resist climbing it)

The Diner With The Best View

(by Helen)

Yesterday we had a party for my friend Lydia. Lydia was an intern on my team in Fall 2006 and later came back on staff to do Sidewalk Sunday School in Harlem. After 2.5 years on staff Lydia is moving on & going to Bible School in California. I'll miss her but I am excited about the things that God has in store for her.

(Lydia & I in Preschool Class)

We went to the beach for a little bit and then we discovered (ok, I know Christfried found it like a year ago but that was my first time being there) this beautiful little diner. We had to wait quite a bit for our food but the food was yummy... and let me share the view.

Independence Day 2009

Green Card Update

(by Helen)

Just so everyone knows - I got my permanent resident card in the mail last week.

Yay!

Close enough to Jesus

(by Helen)

This past Saturday Bryan & I were at Celebrate America held annually at Eisenhower Park in Long Island. Part of the program was the world class fireworks show. I've never considered myself big fan of fireworks. They were pretty all right but hardly so wonderful as to bother being stuck in a crowd fighting for a decent view of a few colorful splashes. So I never really cared much about fireworks.

This Saturday I changed my mind. Bryan & I were sitting on top of a small hill only a few yards away from the fireworks, the entire show unveiling right in front of our eyes. I was mesmerized by beautiful colors of the fireworks staged perfectly to the music. I discovered that I love watching fireworks!!!

As I traveled home I thought how that could apply to my life with God. I know that miracles and wonders will follow those who believe. I know that our God is great in splendor and majestic in glory... and yet... I don't always see that... I get distracted... stressed... disappointed... and consequently lose joy and love for God, people around me and what I do in ministry...

... could it be that I am not close enough???

See, I fell in love with fireworks when I got close enough to see them in all their beauty. I've learned this weekend that if I only get close enough to the heart of God all the petty things will cease to matter and my eyes will be fastened on Him in all His glory.

"...let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us..." Psalm 90:17

I Am Grateful...

(by Helen)

As I look back at the past four months of Spring Semester 2009 here at Metro Ministries - I am oh so grateful.

1) I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ who has given me hope and encouragement and strength without measure (and I needed lots this semester).

2) I am grateful for my husband Bryan who loved me every day... and still does :)

3) I am grateful for my teammate Janelle who carried a double load this semester with great attitude.

4) I am grateful for my interns: Danielle, Emily, Tobias who determined to do whatever it takes to reach kids in Queens and tried their hardest to do their best.

5) I am grateful for the leadership of Metro and pastor Bill Wilson who gave me an opportunity and covering to preach the gospel on the streets of New York City.

6) I am grateful for sunny days on Sidewalk ;)

7) I am grateful for all my friends - here in NYC and all over the world (yes, that means YOU)

We're going to the MOVIES !!!

(by Helen)

This Sunday we took several kids from our Sidewalk Sunday School sites to watch The Night At The Museum II: The Battle Of The Smithsonian. We had so much fun

Barbershop & Nail Parlor Week @ Sunday School

(by Helen)

We had a good week in Sunday School as we turned our Sidewalk Sunday School truck into a barbershop and nail parlor.

Bounce House Fun

(by Helen)

Today we had a chance to take a bounce house with us on site. Kids had a lot of fun.

Amazing Race Divisional Outing

(by Helen)

This Sunday our Sidewalk Sunday School team got together with another team from Queens. We decided to send them on a race through the city. Enjoy a little video I put together ;)

for all of you from Division 13 who did not come - y'all missed out

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
(1 Corinthians 4:2)

(by Helen)


Yesterday our church hosted our annual Viva Mexico outreach. It was exciting to see that many people did come out and stayed for the event despite heavy rain. The party migrated inside. It was really packed but still about 75 people came up for an altar call at the end.

Instead of retelling you all the things that happened at Viva Mexico, I would like to introduce you to one child. His name is Jy'Len. I met Jy'Len and his family when I was doing Sidewalk Sunday School in Harlem. They were wonderful people. I was trying hard to get them to church and they did come for a while and then stopped again.

It was frustrating for me to see that despite many efforts Jy'Len's family was no longer in church. Time came for me to move on and take over my current team in Queens. I said good-bye to Harlem but as much as it depended on me I tried to keep in touch with Jy'Len's family.

Several weeks ago I walked into a church service and could not believe my eyes: I saw Jy'Len's grandmother with Jy'Len. They started coming to church and so far I've seen them every week. I am so grateful that I have been here in the ministry long enough to see the fruit of my effort. Sometimes it's easy to want to quit because as we pour into the lives of the children here in the ghettos of NYC we often see little change. But this month as I reconnected with their family I was reminded once again that if I stay faithful I may be able to see more fruit.

Jy'Len & I at Viva Mexico

Rain Rain Go AWAY (and do NOT come back)

(by Bryan)

They say no weather will keep postal workers from their appointed rounds. Well, the same is true of Sidewalk Sunday School teachers. We have had quite a few rainy days on our site, but that doesn't stop us from preaching the Word of God. Below is a video of me teaching a story in pouring down rain. As you can see, children are hungry for the love of God and they can't be kept away by a few rain showers either.

M&M's dance

(by Helen)

This week past we had an M&M's Madness week in our Sidewalk Sunday School.

Enjoy the M&M's dance!!

(starring Emily as Red & Danielle as Yellow)

Cardboard testimonies

Bumped into this through a friend's blog... so powerful... reposting
Watch it here.

Princess Tea Party 2009

- Do you really think I'm royalty?

(Meg Ryan as Anastasia in "Anastasia")

(by Helen)

This year I had an incredible opportunity to bring 18 girls from the areas we minister to Princess Tea Party - a special event sponsored by Women of Excellence Foundation. The girls loved getting dressed in pretty outfits, learning the princess wave, meeting Disney princesses, eating food, and taking pictures. They had an amazing time. I was trying to think of words to explain how much it meant to them - but I thought I'd rather let the girls speak for themselves (see video)

Helen's Big Sidewalk Birthday Bash

(by Helen)

This week I have celebrated my birthday with my Sunday School kids. Bryan & I baked hundreds of cupcakes and twisted dozens of animal balloons. Kids brought their self-made birthday cards (they were not allowed to buy one). It's amazing how creative they were. Please enjoy some photos from that day.

(our lesson was on how giving into offense can rob them of the power of God working in their lives)

(kids enjoyed animal balloons)

(Deanna made a very pretty birthday card with a pop-up of my name)

(more animal balloons)

(with some of my faithful girls)

It was a wonderful week with 225 kids showing up for "Helen's Birthday Bash" on my site on Friday. I am looking forward to next week.

Preschool Still Rocks!!!

(by Helen)

Today I was reminded once again why I choose to do what I do. We were teaching the Easter Lesson today. During one of the sessions in our Preschool Class I noticed a little girl who was sitting all the way up the bleacher. I don't think she moved once throughout the entire lesson, her eyes focused on the stage. As the session was over and kids were on their way out, I walked over to her and told her that she did really good and I really wish I could see her the following week. She said that she would love to come but she lives in Pennsylvania so she probably would not be able to any more. That made me think once again how often we only get one shot, one chance to make Jesus known...

Hope you enjoy some pictures from today

Hard C.O.R.E. Training (oh my the interns are here)

(by Helen)


So the interns are here and all this week our Department of Education and Training together with all divisional leaders (I am one of them) had put together a training for them to help them see what we are all about (kind of like a crash course into Sidewalk Sunday School).

They're a good bunch of people and I am excited about this semester.

Workers Training (Spring 2009)

(by Helen)

"All Sidewalk staff born and raised in New York City keep standing"... the room was quiet. Nobody remained standing but the person on the stage who said those words...

I am a Divisional Leader of Sidewalk Sunday School. I am from Belarus. Among 16 teams that go out every day to minister in NYC ghettos only one (!) person was born and raised in the city.

Our vision is to see leaders, teachers, and pastors raised up from the streets of the city worldwide. Then they, in turn, will minister to the next generation.

Today all Sidewalk staff brought all their Sidewalk workers and workers in training to the church for a day of intense training. It was a blessing to see all these people who for different reasons want to serve in Sunday School. And I was excited to be part of the team who helped the leadership to put it together.

Hope you enjoy some pictures from the training:

And here we are singing God Is A Good God (Sidewalk #1 hit)... sorry for the low quality (I forgot to change the setting on my camera...

All through the day the workers got to sit and learn about different areas of being a worker: from learning what's expected from them to how properly set up the truck to the importance of their personal relationship with God. I believe if we spend more time investing in and motivating our workers to grow in God, things will change and we shall indeed see leaders, teachers, and pastors raise up among them.

A Shout Of Praise!!!

(by Helen)

I want to thank all my friends for praying for my green card situation. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mark 11:24).

I want you to know today that your prayers have been answered. Yay! My green card interview is scheduled for April 7th (a few days before my passport expires). God has been faithful to me.

Thank you for supporting me in prayer and lifting my name up before the throne of God.