NYC- Week 5: (Plus the Beginning of a New Adventure)

This week was so long that it's hard to think back to Sunday. Well, here's my shot at it, taken almost directly from my journal.

Sunday I rolled out of bed, showered, and dressed before I even woke up. Lauren and I walked to the subway to go to Times Square Church. After waiting in line for a very long time at the church, we got second row seats. At first we were excited, until we realized how loud the choir was. My favorite part of the service was the fact that 8,000 people were worshiping God together in the heart of the Big Apple. After church we walked through Times Square and stopped at M&M World. Afterwards, we were tired and hungry and decided to go to the less-populated Brooklyn to eat lunch. In short, it took us awhile to find the right transportation... again. After a quick lunch and short break at Wendy's we set off to find the "nearby" cemetery. Lauren kept excitedly declaring that she saw tombstones, but we never did reach them despite walking for 20 minutes. Later we discovered that the cemetery was about two blocks from Wendy's one street over. We hung out at Dunkin Donuts until the service at FJMC. Afterwards, we ate at Dunkin Donuts again. Yes, I love that place...





On Monday, I pumped several cups of coffee into my system to make up for being out so late Sunday night. Scott and I did dishes and he meticulously cleaned each dish and we didn't have much of a lunch break. Scott, if you're reading this, you did a very good job; I felt very safe to eat off of the dishes you washed. LOL. We set up a prayer table for outreach. I met a lot of new people. (Please pray for Christina. She needs Jesus very badly.) I was supposed to head back earlier to meet with Maria Elena, the lady from the laundromat who wanted to teach me Spanish. Instead, I left late and had to skip debriefing to meet with her. I'm not sure that I learned much Spanish, but God used the opportunity to have Myreya talk to the other ladies that were there.

Tuesday was cultural day. We had Amish food. Yum! It tasted like home... not that I'm Amish. I heard a lot of Dutch that evening, and understood nothing. Did anyone realize that the Amish don't say "excuse me"? Let's see... What else happened that day? We did a cultural activity and had to roll a marble through tiny trays around an obstacle course. It was very frustrating, but we finally did it. Later that night, Lauren and I should have gone right to sleep, but we stayed up late, laughing hysterically about....hmm...nothing.

Wednesday was not mentioned much in my journal. Most likely I was too tired to be descriptive. We had commissioning prayers for each other. The two hours were good and sad as we realized that we would be parting ways in a little over 24 hours. Late that night, Lauren and I sneaked out into the kitchen because we were completely ravenous. We didn't count on getting caught sneaking pretzels and crackers, but we had a fun little party anyway.

Thursday was a day for goodbyes; I was so tired of saying goodbye. At least I won't have to say anymore goodbyes for a few months. Hooray! In the evening we had a banquet where we all shared and had an awesome Thanksgiving meal. After saying goodbye to everyone except Scott and Marvin, I decided that I hate life, but only as much as I love it.

Friday the real adventure began. My journal is full of this day. I'm going to make this as brief as possible for the sake of time (both yours and mine). Scott and I got to our flight on time, despite some boarding pass issues. We waited on the plane for 3 hrs. while mechanics fixed some sort of a system problem. The pilot assured us not to worry because the connecting Tucson flight would wait for the 17 people on the flight to Minneapolis. Great. However, when we finally got to Minneapolis, they had not held our plane on us. Instead, they gave Scott and I tickets for different flights at different times. By the time I found my concourse and my gate, my plane was backing away. I have never missed a flight before and it was not a good feeling. I had to go back to Northwest to get another flight which would get to Tucson at 9:30 at night. Not cool, since our bus left at 8:00. Lee Mummau mangaged to reschedule our tickets from Maryland so that we would leave at 10:00. I was still doubtful that I would make the bus...and going on a 13 hr. bus trip alone did not excite me. So I did my best to do what Scott always says: "Trust God." So Scott and I blew our meal vouchers on the most expensive coffee we could find until I left on my flight. I made it to Houston perfectly fine, and as soon as I got there I talked with Northwest about getting an earlier flight. The man was an angel and called the bus station for me and got the number for a taxi driver and put me on standby to get to Tucson at 6:40 p.m. (The real problem was my luggage which he informed me would not arrive until Saturday afternoon). Thank God that I boarded the plane five minutes before they took off. I was privileged to meet a very nice lady on the flight and she gave me a brief overview of Tucson until I found Brianne waiting by the baggage claim and fell gratefully into her arms. We waited for Scott and I asked the assistants to track my luggage just in case a miracle had occured and I wouldn't have to make the trip without my two suitcases. Well, God is so good and the lady found my luggage scheduled for the 9:30 flight that I should have been on. I scheduled the taxi and called Lee to give him the update. Scott's flight was late, but he made it in time. He was a little surprised to see me, I think. We stood together at the luggage claim and discussed the events of the day as we waited for his luggage. Suddenly, I saw my red, tattered suitcase zoom past me. Shocked, I ran after it. Somehow God had pulled some strings for me and caused my luggage to come on Scott's plane instead of the 9:30 flight. Wow!

Friday and Saturday blur together in my mind. We got the taxi and made it to the bus station. We waited a little while until the bus arrived and then we settled in for the long haul. Around midnight we reached the border and went through immigration. Three tired gringos was enough for the border police to rush us through. We slept off and on. I woke up in time to see the blazing sun peeking above silent peeked hills. Cacti pointed their prickly fingers to the sky. Palm trees like flags drooped and swayed in the gentle breeze. We stopped for a break once and then reached Los Mochis where Lenn Miller was waiting for us. We climbed off the chilly bus and into a boiling hot van. I was so tired that I don't remember much of the ride home or the evening at the orphanage (where I will be staying until Wednesday when I move to town). So for now, I'm living out of a suitcase again and praising God for His faithfulness.

NYC- Week 4: A Time to Stress and a Time to Crash

Another week has flown by and I am left standing in the aftermath. Was my week good or bad? Both. But ultimately good. I can feel refreshed as I sit here in Dunkin Donuts watching a Hispanic family enjoy their afternoon ice cream. My feet are dirty, my clothes are limp, and my eyes fall closed every few words…but I am happy.

Last Sunday morning, I attended Followers of Jesus Mennonite Church in Brooklyn with most of the people from MTC. Many of FJMC's members were in PA for a wedding so church was pretty empty. I enjoyed the service although I was tired (Hmmm.... I'm tired a lot). We had Dunkin Donut doughnut holes during Sunday school. After the service, Lauren and I went to Erleen's apartment for lunch. She lives in the "Lancaster County" of NYC-- funny how those Mennonite idiosyncrasies follow us around. After a delicious lunch, we animatedly discussed Mennonite Colonies. Later that evening we went to Dunkin Donutes with Hubert and Joanna (more affectionately called Huey and Jo).

On Monday, Gary Troyer joined our class at MTC to talk with us about spiritual gifts. For outreach, we went to the bottom of the subway stairs on Roosevelt to pass out tracts. I think I was a spectacle in the middle of Hispanic territory. One man wanted to know what a tall, white, green-eyed girl was doing there. I gave him "La Palabra de Dios."

Allen Roth teaching.

Tuesday was Ellen’s birthday. I’ll nicely refrain from exposing her age publicly. We discussed spiritual gifts during class. We went to Elmhurst Park for outreach and met a Hindu woman and her nephew. Ellen and I learned about traditional Indian weddings. Sheldon was able to talk with a homeless man and lead him to Christ. Horray! After dinner, Bob and I discussed the inconsistencies of Catholicism. Rachel, Lauren, and I went down to the basement to watch The Scarlet Pimpernel. Myreya made us popcorn. Yum!

Wednesday was one of the longest days of my life. It stretched on and on and on and on with no end in sight. We fasted as usual which somehow makes the hours drag. I don't mind the hunger, but I do mind the lack of energy. I can't imagine being a Muslim during Ramadan. Class was intense and right after we were done, we headed out to the other side of Brooklyn for outreach. We passed out tracts and talked and prayed with people when we had the opportunity. Huey, Jo, and I went to an Arabic restaurant for a long overdue dinner. Afterwards we attended the prayer meeting and didn't get home until close to 10:30. I was so tired I wasn't sure that I would last until morning.

But I did and thus began Thursday. I had to lead morning worship for the ladies. I was nervous. Need I say more? I don't remember much from Thursday besides our Ghanaian meals. Hooray for Ghana! Africans eat some really good food...like fufu. Our mission for outreach was to purchase something from the country we are headed to and talk with people from that country. (In Corona, finding a Mexican is not at all difficult.) Myreya took me too a nearby laundromat and forced me to talk with two different ladies. I had a hard time hearing over the roar of the washers and dryers and rowdy children. One lady gave me her address and told me to visit before I leave for Mexico. She was adamant that I need more practice before crossing the border. I thought I was fluent by now. I made a really funny mistake in Spanish that afternoon, but I won't write it on my blog because it's embarrassing....but really funny. Hee hee.

Eating fufu-- our delicious Ghanaian meal.

Me drinking Ghanaian tea.

Friday was a strange day. I explained it in my journal (which I must proudly insert that I have written in every day since I got to NYC) as "a roller coaster ride where every time the tracks dove downward, I remained supernaturally suspended until they came back up to greet me." I'm not sure how much sense that makes now. During outreach, Ellen and I met Jonathan (a young boy on a bike with a flat tire) and Maribel (a JR higher longing for acceptance), and a lady from Cuenca, Ecuador during outreach. I spent the evening quietly, catching up on everything I needed to do.

Saturday finally came--the last day of the week. I was very ready for the week to be over. The day started at the laundromat. Okay, not quite. Lauren got up early and hauled our clothes down four blocks to the laundromat. I joined her as soon as I could roll out of bed. The day was beautiful and we enjoyed it as we waited for our clothes. I told the lovely Ecuadorian laundromat lady goodbye. She told me to stop by when I get back from Mexico and practice my Spanish on her. Lauren and I hitched a ride with Rachel to the FJMC picnic. We had fun just hanging out and eating food and taking pictures with people we really didn't know. We had just enough time in between the picnic and the evening service at FJMC to eat at the Ecuadorian restaurant down the street.

Our album cover (minus the head on the bottom): Ingred, me, Annlyn, and Lauren.

Eating mango shakes and fries at the Ecuadorian restaurant.

That was my week...The extended version. I don't think I'll edit it because it will take too long. LOL. I hope you all are doing good and getting more sleep than I am. A week from today I'll be in Mexico, Lord willing (if I'm not apprehended at the border). Hooray!!!

NYC- Week 3: Livin' Life Like a Latino

Sunday: visiting adorable Hispanic church~making an excuse why to NOT stay until 3:00 p.m.~yo quiero verte~hanging out with Bob, Myreya, and Rebecca~discussing the versatility of tracts~Dunkin Donuts blueberry muffins and iced coffee~good conversations about life~getting a teeny bit homesick~
<---the cute little church that we went to on Sunday.




Monday: bemoaning our dwindling group of trainees~last minute cramming for afternoon Perspectives test~storming the gates of hell on 57th Street~passing out tracts~prayer walking~praying with people~Southern food (including collard greens)~quick walks~
Marv, Charlene, Javonn, and Adrian ---->

Tuesday: soooo tired~studying~studying~studying~outreach including two Hispanic grocery stores and one laundromat~leche and a scrubbing brush~dinner at Bob and Myreya's~way cool and sensitive Lauren~Sense and Sensibility~


Wednesday: fasting~visiting a Buddhist temple~praying fervently for lost souls~Master Marlin~prayer meeting here at MTC~taco soup~cleaning up~cleaning up~cleaning up~ironing~homework~talking to my sister~
Hubert and Joanna studying---->


Thursday: 7-year anniversary of 9/11~McCain and Obama at Ground Zero (not worth going to see)~Dad's birthday~personal pilgrimage~studying Islam~Thai food for ethnic day~lime juice~confusing cultural activities with the Zongs and Wies~drinking hot chocolate before crawling into bed~
<----Hubert's 30th birthday bash
my winning rose picture---->

Friday: almost missing my alarm~rain~rain~rain~sweatshirts and coffee~having a photo competition of Jo's roses with Jo and Scott~timed personality assessments~Scott telling me that I am a failure~rainy outreach~prayer walking a mall~Hubert's 30th birthday~fried chicken and French fries~Dr.Pepper~blueberry cheesecake~cleaning the basement~doing Scott's mopping~doing laundry~taking a walk in the rain~talking to people from home~


Saturday: getting up late~hanging out by myself in the apartment~pj party with Lauren~watermelon~pizza in Central Park~wide, open spaces in the middle of Manhattan~spilling pizza on clothes~meeting new people~hours upon hours in the subway~walking the Brooklyn Bridge at night~late night Starbucks~
wide open spaces in Central Park

Cliff, Hubert, Lauren, and I eating pizza in the park

Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge

NYC- Week 2: Finding My Identity as a Minority

My second week in NYC has been busy despite having a "four-day" week of class. Somehow, I managed to pack it full of other things. Yet God has remained the same in my world of swirling senses. Of course He's stretching me, but only because He knows I need it!

One of my favorite parts of the city is the fact that I am a minority. As I walk down our street I hear many languages but rarely English. In fact, when I see a plain caucasian who speaks English, I wonder what in the world brought them to NYC. This considered, I've had numerous opportunities to practice my fledgling Spanish.

Sunday was a beautiful day. I sat out on the balcony and soaked in the morning. For church, Lauren, Brianne, and I only had to go down to the basement-- to Life in Christ Church. After the service, Myreya and Lauren had Sunday school for the neighborhood children. As an observer (and occasional scissors and glue assistant) I couldn't help but notice the overwhelming energy in those children. Please pray that they will take home to their families what they learn in Sunday school.

Bob and Myreya eating watermelon.


Lauren, Bri, me, and Ellen on the carousel.


Me, Lauren, and Bri at the Unisphere fountain.


Lauren waiting for her cone.

For Labor Day, the MTC group went to the Flushing Meadows Park. After a very good dinner, a few of us went for a carousel ride. It was so much fun to be a kid again. Sheldon took Javonn so he wouldn't look so childish (at least I'm pretty sure that was his intention). After the carousel ride, Scott came up with the brilliant idea to go to the petting zoo. Unfortuantely the zoo was closed, but we all kept walking anyway....and walking...and walking. We walked right by the US Open, skirted around a bomb threat area, and took pictures next to the "Unisphere" fountain. We meandered back to the park (thanks to the GPS in Scott's head), packed up and drove back home just in time to meet the ice cream truck on our street. Yea for chocolate ice cream!

The delicious Turkish salad.


Lauren eating her birthday ice cream

Tuesday was Lauren's birthday. Tuesday Anthony went home. Tuesday was a day of mixed emotions. We went out to eat at a Turkish restaurant for Lauren's birthday. We were privileged to sit outside in the "garden." The food was good (and the coffee was served in cute little cups!). The free dessert was uh.....very interesting and not very good. Pumpkin loaded with sugar is not my idea of dessert. After the Turkish restaurant we headed over to Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins for real dessert.

Wednesday was fasting day. I was so hungry. After outreach, we had a little time to relax before the 4:00 p.m. prayer meeting at Followers of Jesus Church. Then, after the prayer meeting, we had a potluck. Yum! That evening I got an e-mail from Donna Yoder in Mexico saying that they had found an apartment for me and Stacy (a worker already at the orphanage in Mexico). PTL! Wednesday night Lauren, Bri, and I laid in bed talking and laughing while discussing things I won't post on my blog.

Thursday was ethnic day--this week was Mexico. Tacos, enchiladas, rice, beans, etc... (all very appropriate for the Mexico-bound trainees). Outreach on Thursday violated my tiny comfort zone. Bri and I walked to Park of the Americas and met a few women. Unfortunately or fortunately (depending on how you see the glass--half empty or half full) two of the women only spoke Spanish. I managed a choppy conversation that never amounted to much of anything. But Paulina and Marlene appreciated my efforts and were very friendly once they discovered why I was in NYC for training. The weather on Thursday was HOT. We three girls went out for a walk in the evening to cool off. We walked down an unfortunate street and ran into someone who was unfortunately Muslim and unfortunately the street was a little too dark for our comfort. Fortunately there were three of us (safety in numbers) and most of all, fortunately we had God on our side. Dangerous? Probably not...but we decided never to go out alone that close to dark again.

The entire trainee group.


Waiting to go out to bubble tea.


Joanna, Bri, and I with our bubble tea.

Friday was Brianna's last day in NYC. For outreach we jumped on the subway and rode it to Broadway. We passed out tracts, New Testaments, and Nuevos Testamentos. The day was fun, but the station was so hot. Standing in a small cluster of people and singing your heart out as 20,000+ people walk by is enough to make anyone weary. We came back for debriefing and a quick dinner. For Brianne's last evening in NYC, five of us girls (Rebecca, Joanna, Bri, Lauren, and I) trotted off to Flushing to get some bubble tea. Bubble tea is a milky tea poured over giant, black tapiocas and slurped up through a fat straw. We were determined to like it until we all felt sick that night.

A street view in Little Italy.


A street view in Chinatown.

A Jewish cemetery along a street in Chinatown.

On Saturday, Bri left early in the morning. Lauren and I were sad, but decided to have fun instead of moping around. Therefore, we went to Chinatown and Little Italy. We bravely rode the subway to our destination. Chinatown was amazing once we got off the Canal Street tourist stretch. We walked through Little Italy and returned to Chinatown to eat some fried rice. Yum! While we were in the restaurant, the skies opened up and humidity turned to raindrops. We continued to tour (not in spite of but probably because of the rain). We huddled under my umbrella and got drenched anyway. The day was so much fun, but realizing our responsibilities at home, we started back about 4:30 p.m. Fully confident with our map-reading abilities, we climbed back on the subway. Unfortunately, the system threw us a curveball and suddenly we were stuck at Times Square with no way back to Queens. A fire at the station at Queens caused power outage; all trains had to be re-routed. With no way home, we hunted down information personnel, but they were less helpful than anything we could dream up on our own. Desperate, we called Marv who told us to go to Brooklyn (about 25 minutes away from home) and he would pick us up there. So we smashed onto the 'A' train with a million other inconvenienced people. Instead of the predicted hour to get home, it took us four hours to get home. But we were thankful to finally get there!

This week I experienced so many different things that it's impossible to compile them all into a one page post. I hope you enjoyed the brief version! Keep serving the One who made you!

-triciaK