Update from Exodus

Dear Friends,
We have wonderful news! As you know, Exodus started running our afterschool program at an Inwood site this year, in addition to our Heights site. Then we had to install a fire alarm system and make some building repairs. So while under construction, we’ve transported our students to the Inwood site. Well, now the Heights site is ready, and we welcomed the students to the newly renovated program on Thursday! Students and parents alike could not be happier.

Felicita, Moises’ mom, stopped by on her way to work at noon to say how thankful she is to God for hearing her family prayers: “Moises asked us to pray every Thursday for the program, so every Thursday we prayed,” she said. Moises was one of our students who rode with us to Exodus Inwood at the beginning of the school year. Both of his parents work and don’t have family support and don’t speak English, so when we told them we had to close our Washington Heights doors to install a new fire alarm system, they had no other alternative but to send him to our program in Inwood.

“Another program would have said, ‘We are sorry, we have to close temporarily, look for help elsewhere.’ The need for afterschool education is big, so you wouldn’t have to worry about finding new people. But you didn’t do that,” Felicita remarked. “You went above and beyond to help us. You paid for transportation; you cared for our son and he is doing well. You care. You care. Thank you.”

The students who waited for us to be back were full of joy to see their old friends. “She didn’t say good bye. I no longer exist for Ayleen,” said Maria about her daughter, a second grader. “She is all giggles talking to her friends.” Jeritzel, a seven grader took a more dramatic approach: “Hello, Exodus walls; hello, Exodus Welcoming table; hello, desks,” In a Dianne Wiest – deep and slow voice tone - sort of way in “Bullets Over Broadway,” but as soon as she saw her friend Avian, also a seven grader, she jumped up and down and wouldn’t let him go from her long embrace. They both go to the same school. “You don’t understand,” she said. “We are not in the same class. We don’t see each other. We had fun here.” Avian replied proudly: “You should have gone with me to Exodus Inwood. I got all As and Bs in my report card.” He was very proud about that. It was then that Leonardo, a third grader, walked in the door, like he usually does in his tornado sort of way. “I didn’t think I was going to miss signing in at the door, but I did.” They like routine, said Maria, “Ayleen doesn’t want to do homework at home - only at the program.” Since Ayleen is only seven, Maria didn’t want her to travel with us to Inwood. While we were closed, she periodically stopped by to see how we were doing. “At home, Ayleen just wants to watch TV. When she was here, I didn’t have to tell her to read. She loved to read to me. She was doing great. Now, I don’t think she is going to get a good report card. You never know what you have until you lose it.”
Still, many students enjoyed the Inwood site, and made new friends there. There was sadness on Thursday at both the Inwood site and the Heights site. We hope that having all students to the Heights site on Saturdays provides a great opportunity to continue building those friendships.

Please dear friends continue to pray for our programs. It is an honor to serve the LORD and see His amazing hand at work.
In Him
Matt and Tatiana Mahoney

Come Serve With Us in 2010!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Break @ OE with VCU

 

 

 

 

From Jason, youth director at Christ Kingom Church in Orland, FL

"Serving at Operation Exodus was a great experience for our high school youth! Students not only experienced another part of our country that they had not been to before, but also had to step out of their comfort zones to care for the kids in Washington Heights. They had the opportunity to see what our Savior means to these children and learn about another culture.

Our students returned home with leadership experience and a better sense of how to relate to others. They also learned that sharing the Gospel is not simply reciting verses to people - the Gospel is reflected in how you live out your life.

Mission to the World did a great job preparing us for our time in New York, and did an even better job taking care of us during our week. Our Project Director was very relational with the staff and kids at Exodus, and served as a great role model for each of us.

All of our students said they would definitely consider returning to serve at Operation Exodus."

Part 1 - A week serving at Operation Exodus

Part 2

A message from Matt, the director of Operation Exodus

Update on cost per person

Hi Everyone,
Since I wrote the last post, cost of things have increased which I wish was not the case, but it is reality therefore I have had to increase the cost per person is going to be based upon group size and gender breakdown, but in the ball park of $600-625 per person.