New York missions trip!

Well, time has indeed flown! I'm back from New York & have stories & pictures!
I don't even know where to begin!

Our group stayed in Brooklyn, at Metro Ministries. After a few days of getting to know each other, we spent time in prayer & preparation for the next day: We went through each neighborhood, door to door, in small groups, inviting the families, especially the kids, to a carnival we were going to put on the next day.

Parts of beautiful Brooklyn: (It's not like how it is said to be)

After hours of walking to each house (!) we went back to our meeting place, the park. It was so HOT so a few of us ran threw the water!

Here's our booth for the carnival:

I loved watching the children! We got soaked at The Wet Seat!

At the end, they gave a message about Jesus & how we all need a Savior and many parents and children raised their hands to be saved! I got to pray with a few people & felt so unworthy & scared, but amazed at the same time at how God used us that day.

 This photo best illustrates the bond that we grew with those children: (Taken by a friend)

A child during the prayer:

Another day, we did "Subway Ministry". I tell you I was DREADING this! We were supposed to scatter throughout the subways, and talk to people. Strike up conversations & talk about the LORD, ask if they needed prayer, etc. This was so tough.

But I saw this lady. So beautiful was she! She was sitting there, looking distressed, lonely. I don't know, I just felt I should go talk to her...

I battled it in my mind for a long while. I knew I should do this.

So I sat down next to her & we started talking. She was so sweet & open to what I said. We talked about other things too, & formed a mini friendship if you will. She had to get off the Subway & so we said bye...

BUT! You won't believe this. At the end of the missions trip, on our flight back home, I saw her in the airport bathroom!! This was in Texas I saw her! Wow, from New York to Texas what are the odds!

I said, "Hey, do you remember me?"

"Oh, my gosh...YES!"

And we hugged & talked & were just so amazed!

One of the days, we walked through Manhattan. Here, we came to Ground Zero!!!

There was this lady on the side of this building with a sign that said "Diagnosed with cervical cancer...please help..." My team leader felt we should go talk to her but didn't express her prompting until later. So we finally found her after she thought she had left & spoke to her.

My team leader is so amazing & good at conversing & she ended up speaking life into this woman who was actually a believer!

Praying over her, Michelle.

Other parts of New York:

Times Square:

 Our messy room!

This was both the hardest & best thing I could've done! I am naturally a quiet person & it was tough putting myself out there in EVERY WAY.
From getting up early, to 5 minute showers, to sleeping in sweat, to going to bed late, to PB&J for lunch everyday, to getting out of my comfort zone...it was hard.

But what made it worth while was the friendships I formed, the things God did in me, for me & through me; the late nights of worship sessions; praying out loud at once, together...our voices blended in unity; the laughter & songs; the quiet time every morning. It was truly a life changing experience!

There was a time, during the beginning of the trip where we all went to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Sadly, I had forgotten my camera.
But when we got there, each of us were instructed to spend some time alone, looking out over the city, praying for it.
After a while, we all came together in one big cluster of a group. Our leader said, "Pray! Pray all of you & lift your voices to God!"
Everyone's voice was going all at once, crying out to God, there on the bridge, for this city. Like I said before, it sounded in unity! Absolutely no chaos...just beauty to my ears & I imagine to the ears of God!
At the end, we all started singing out, "Our God is an awesome God!"
A girl in our group shouted out, "God! Reign Your love down!"
And that very minute, literally, it began to rain!
We were laughing & jumping & excited as we walked (very quickly) back to the bus soaking wet!

There were just so many things that happened that I wish you could know about...but I don't know how to organize my thoughts & feelings & experiences!
Perhaps you'll just have to experience one for yourself!

Here's another "secret" I have for you:
For our missions trip training, we had to go to Teen Manias headquarters, called the Honor Academy. They were the place that does Global Expeditions, who took me to NY.
Anyway, I've been dying to go as an intern at the Honor Academy for a long time & was so excited to actually go to the campus in TX!
Well, after a lot of prayer, discussion & tears,...I'm going!!! And...leaving the day after tomorrow! That's Friday the 19th! I will be living there for a year.
Oh, & by the grace of God, I FINALLY finished high school TODAY! Yay for homeschooling!
Thank You Lord!

This is not a farewell, I'll still be posting hopefully!
But Bon Voyage for now!