Welcome to the Army!!!

Here we are - a new semester of Sidewalk Sunday School started today. I would like for you to meet my team this semester

Janelle from Canada (my "old" staff), Bryan & I, Susi from Germany (my new staff - yay!!!), Jessica from Germany, Zanita from USA and in the front - Stephan from Holland

Watch out - they are the ones that are making it happen this semester ;)

We kicked off with a great day today. It was cold and windy in Queens but we had a great time teaching the kids how they are soldiers in God's army and what that means for them.

Please pray for us this semester.

“Fight on for God” (1 Timothy 6:12a)

What Am I Laboring For?

"Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." (Psalm 127:1)

I am not laboring for acceptance or promotion, recognition or reward.
I am laboring to see His fruit in my life.

Our trip to Belarus

Bryan and I returned from our trip to Belarus on Friday. Bryan will write more about his observations later but for now I just wanted to share a quick slide show from the trip with you.

I found Chester!!!

Looks like Chester is doing really well these days...



if you're like... WHAT??? - then watch the post below ;)

"Chester"

So... this is Jeremiah - my brother-in-law... I think this video is hilarious...

Fun Zone 2009

(by Helen)

We have just finished 2 weeks of Summer Day Camp here in New York. It is difficult for me to find proper words to express to you what a wonderful time this had been. So I put together a small video instead.

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.