Thursday, February 24, 2011

Ruminations on Exodus

***Note that though you'll read something about a limousine, you will probably not have this same experience. It just so happened that a limo was able to take them to the hostel for the same price as a taxi.**** :)

First Presbyterian Church, Stanley became interested in New York City immediately after the 9/11 attacks. Just like the rest of the country, our hearts were broken for the people of NYC and we wondered what we could do to minister to them. A call to MTW Atlanta put us on the trail of Operation Exodus and in the summer of 2003 we took our first trip to Manhattan. We took a limo from the airport to the Youth Hostel on 103rd and Amsterdam – one of the largest youth hostel in the US. Everyone just stared at us as we emerged from the limo… picture the Beverly Hillbillies riding into Beverly Hills! ha-ha

Wildness ensued!! The early years of working with OE were both challenging and exhausting – I’m originally from Tennessee, work in an NC town of 3,500 people, love the mountains, and only speak hick-English. Arriving in Manhattan was a culture shock to say the least!

During our first summer experience we lived in a youth hostel, did OE in Riverbank State Park, and basically just survived. We were in over our heads and sinking fast. We brought crafts with glue but there was no place to wash your hands… we planned some drama skits but the kids were spread out between the basketball court, pool, water fountain, and soccer/track… we planned groups games but the kids would rather jump rope…. Our entire group was stretched beyond our capability. But God upheld and sustained us and we managed to finish the week. Whew!!

When I returned home, I slept for 3 straight days. My wife thought I had some strange virus. She is a former InterVarsity campus minister who has lead Global Mission Trips in Africa and Europe. I have lead at least 12 mission trips myself, so we’re no rookies. But that first year of OE was the hardest mission trip I’ve ever taken. So why am I telling you all this?!

Because after two weeks of being “dog tired,” I wanted to go back! And go back we did for 4 straight years. God grew in us a love for the students and tutors at OE that could not be thwarted by physical, mental, or emotional hardship. All our team could think of was those faces/names/people we had ministered to (and who had ministered to us). So from 2003-2006 we left the country for the city and followed the call of our great and awesome God to serve NYC and Operation Exodus.

Things obviously changed from 2003-2006 – OE found a ‘home’ to host their program, tweaks occurred that made the relationships between OE and churches thrive all the more, and the OE kids became more open to the “veterans.”

Then from 2007-2010 we took a break from Manhattan and served in rural MS. But the adults and youth of the church couldn’t get the kids of OE off our hearts/minds. So after a several year hiatus, God has called us back to OE and we look forward to re-establishing old friendships, making new ones, and being transformed by God’s renewing grace. God helping us, we hope to love and serve the kids/tutors of OE and be stretched beyond our limits again so that we can see and experience His mighty hand at work in us and through us – for His glory and our good. Hope to see you there!

Scott Deneen, Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church Stanley, NC

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