"A Costco in the South Bronx"

Walking through the World Vision Storehouse was like shopping at Costco. The warehouse is an amazing collection of gifts-in-kind, mostly essentials (and hundreds of WWE belt buckles and other paraphernalia) for community groups, schools, and churches. I'm pretty sure my heart skipped a beat when Sal (who's in charge of the warehouse, I believe) told us we could help assemble furniture. I LOVE assembling furniture, so needless to say, I was uber excited. At home, I used to assemble all the desks, bookshelves, cabinets, and other storage units my family bought. At school, I only had the luxury of putting together a shoe rack, because my dorm room was already furnished. Even though I had to leave early and did not get to see the final product, I had a lot of fun with Hei-Yue and Winston putting together a cabinet. It also made me really happy to see volunteers from another church there as well, also assembling furniture. I think that the furniture and everything else in the Storehouse's inventory (OK, maybe not the belt buckles) can dramatically impact people's lives. Even though I only stayed there an hour, it was definitely worth it.

If Anyone Has Ears to Hear...

Joy finally arrived! Sara, too! Praise God that they made it safe and sound. Joy and I went to Love Kitchen today. Sara didn't make it since she arrived much later in the day. Both of us finally got to meet Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones is in charge of the Love Kitchen and is also a board member of the Food Bank for New York.
Today Joy and I distributed bags of food to the people. I felt kind of bad, seeing how many people were turned away due to registration and issues. This system may not be perfect but it is the best that we have. I also got a chance to talk to one of the people that was eating. His name was Ray. Most of the time, I was listening to what he was saying about how life was OK to him. I ended up just listening to Ray the whole time. And it made me realize, once again, just how important it is to listen to others. Just like how I like to have others listen to me, others like to be listened to as well. Just being able to listen to someone, and not necessarily need to do anything, is so powerful. Because, sometimes, that is just what we need to do: listen.
"The Lord says: Don't boast about your wisdom or strength or wealth. If you feel you must boast, them have enough sense to boast about worshiping me, the Lord. what I like the best is showing kindness, justice, and mercy to everyone on earth." Jeremiah 9:23-24

"Yo Chino, Wanna Buy Some..."

I was asked twice by the same drug dealer on two different days if I wanted to buy some drugs. Sneakers on light stands representing drug spots. Teddy bears on light stands representing who knows what? Loud latino music played at night. Restaurant names only in Spanish. Hair salons, deli's and Latina Comida everywhere east of Broadway. BMW's and Benz's everywhere west of Broadway. Gangs hanging out on the streets speaking Spanish. This is the Heights.

Living in the Heights has been such an experience already. I can only wonder what will happen in the next 4 weeks. We all need to pray now and for the remainder of our time here that we can be used by God in this community. Let's be prayer warriors.

Two Pennies

Today was the first day of internships. I left The House at 8:18 and headed for the subway. I ended up arriving at the Love Kitchen around 8:45am. When I got there I met Denise Hykes from World Vision-US Programs and the other interns. Mr. Jones was around though and as a result I ended working on the computer to help find grants to support Manhattan Bible School. At 3:30pm I went do went down to the Love Kitchen and helped set up. I met Jerry and many others. Jerry is a High School student and a volunteer at Manhattan Bible Church. He's a really great guy and is so willing to help. We both served at the Love Kitchen, serving food to the people who came. At times, we were clumsy but the people were forgiving.
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what we do. We may do something with all our might, yet we would fail to accomplish anything if we do not put God's will into consideration. However, if if we were to have God as our focus and maintain His Will in whatever we do then we will be successful, even if we do a great/horrible job.

"Jesus looked up and saw soem people tossing their gifts into the offering box. He also saw a poor widow putting in two pennies. And He said, I tell you the truth, that the poor widow has put in more than the others. Everyone else gave what they didn't need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had " (Luke 21:1-4).

"In the Heights"

I arrived at the House on Sunday at 2:55 pm. It was more like a 'settle-in' day, where we all began to adjust to the environment, and got to know each other. Almost everyone arrived on that day, except for Brianna, Joy and Sara. Brianna arrived the next day at 6:45 am. Sara and Joy are supposed to arrive on Wed, 7/8. Pray that they get here safe and sound.
The second day here at the House, or the first "official" day of NYCUP, was full of introductions, deeper introductions, and even "deeper" introductions. Through these deep introductions, I've come to realize just how amazing it is that God has brought each and everyone from different backgrounds, to come and serve the community. Truly, God had great plans for us and this community. Can't wait to see what happens.
Besides the introductions, we were also given chores. We were split into two small groups and we mainly in charge of dinner and bathroom cleanup, or lunch and dinner clean up. My small group is in charge of dinner. As a result, we went out to the community and explored the different grocery stores.
While we were on our exploration, we witnessed a drug bust. It was like watching some scene on NYPD Blue except it was real and very serious. An SUV charged right at the corner of the block. Two plain-clothes officers charged right out of the SUV, and pummeled the drug dealers to the floor. Seeing such action before my eyes made me realize just how lively this community can be. Despite having such dangerous events, the community is pretty lively in a positive way. Families would get together, and neighbors would just hang out. Or party like during the 4th of July.
We eventually got our groceries and cooked a great meal. We cooked enchiladas and chicken. At one point, the enchiladas caught on fire. Apparently, we were supposed to put aluminum foil over it to the cheese wouldn't catch on fire so easily. Fortunately, Jonathan swooped in, pulled out the enchiladas, and put out the fire in the backyard. Overall, we had a great meal. And it was the first time I cooked chicken, with the rest of the group of course. Couldn't have done it without them and my Mom. Mom gave me crash course before I left.
Today was the second official day. we had two guests, Greg Jao and Carolyn Carney, come over and help us out as we got ready for out internships. Greg did a mini Bible study with us on Exodus chapter 2. From there, we talked about our different strengths and how some of them could be applied during the next few weeks. Carolyn shared with us her thoughts on prayer and how we could pray to God to help us.
After, we had Dominican food for lunch. After lunch, we went on a walking tour or Washington Heights. I really noticed the changed that occurred as we were walking. For example, one section of the community would be full of Latinos, while on the other side of the community there would be a series of Columbia University buildings, Starbucks, etc. If is kind of like how Soho would suddenly transition into Chinatown, or vice-versa, within a few feet of each other. More on that next time.
Later in the evening we saw the Broadway show, 'In the Heights', as a way to learn more about the Heights, and to just have fun before we all get busy the next day.
Overall, it was a good show. It portrayed quite well the way of life in the Heights. The ending was a big anti-climatic but it was a good day.

-Winston

Learning to Live for Him

Over the past year or so, I have been deeply convicted by God to do something about the injustice that surrounds me. I have realized that my goal in life is to see God's love displayed on earth and to see justice rules over injustice. Over these next 5 weeks, I hope that God shows me what this means for me in my life. What are my unique talents that He wants me to use? How do I, personally, best show God's love to others? I hope to learn what it means to live a life that reflects God and His love.
I also hope that I can learn from the 12 other people also living in The House. They all have things to teach us, and each was placed here for a reason. I hope to gain a sense of what it means to be a part of a community that is living for God. On a different level, I hope to make a valuable contribution to the anti-trafficking movement, something I have wanted to become involved with ever since I saw the film 'Call & Response'. While working for Nomi Network, I hope that I learn what are my strengths and weaknesses in a work environment. I hope that God reveals more about what He has planned for me career-wise and what steps I should take to get there.
Lastly, I want to have fun! I want to enjoy Washington Heights and all that is has to offer, and continue to enjoy the amazing place that is New York City. I can't wait to encounter the people, places and events that will make for an awesome NYCUP experience!!!

- Lucy Herz

Here I Am Lord

I want to have a better understanding of the people in NYC and the lifestyles as well as learn more about what the situation of the world is like. I want to get to know people and my team. Also, have a better or clearer direction of what God wants me to do in terms of career.

- Jason