Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Fact 2
"Non-school hours represent the single largest block of time in the lives of American youth. Youth spend about 32% of their waking hours in school. By contrast, about 40% of young people's waking hours are discretionary - not committed to other activities such as school, homework, meals, chores or working for pay." -- The Children's Aid Society
We Can Handle This…Wait…Did I Sign Up for This?
July 5, 2010
By: Ashley Gonzalez
It is the first day at Exodus, the organization we’re working with. Some of you may be wondering, “So what exactly is my daughter/son, loved one, friend, etc doing over there?”
Well we’re working with the children of the organization ranging from grades K-8 in the summer day care program. The majority of the children know each other and the tutors from the after school program held during the school year. So we have the sweetness of seeing everyone befriending someone, but the headache of finding and stepping into our roles here.
This place is like a family where everyone works together and everything is done for the primary goal of being a light and helping hand to the kids. When the kids get here we join in Assembly, basically attendance, separate into classes, the tutors teach on different topics, lunch, two hours in the park, come back to Exodus, all the kids have a snack, which is a small portion of an actual meal, and then creative time and praise time which is where all of our planning comes into play. We all drop in exhaustion, have a meeting with Ashley, our go-to gal, eat, clean, make our way back to the Hostel, have a team meeting, and then disperse for the night. By then its getting pretty dark and all we want is a shower.
It is tiring work and even though the schedule is repetitive, the experiences most definitely aren’t. When we went to go meet at the park, we were recruited in a detour to make almost 150 ham and cheese sandwiches for the Exodus branches in Washington Heights and in Endwood. And packed ours to take to the park. Its been a hot day and extremely stressful.
None of us really know what we expected, if anything, but nothing prepared us for the next generation filled with sass, pomp, and a defensive nature. We did our best and the day was in no way a waste, but we all agreed we need to revamp ourselves and our mission and try some new techniques.
These children threw us off compared to the kids we deal with back home or on other mission trips some of the team have been on. But with disciplined Spirits and pure hearts we are going to sleep to wake up to new opportunities tomorrow.
By: Ashley Gonzalez
It is the first day at Exodus, the organization we’re working with. Some of you may be wondering, “So what exactly is my daughter/son, loved one, friend, etc doing over there?”
Well we’re working with the children of the organization ranging from grades K-8 in the summer day care program. The majority of the children know each other and the tutors from the after school program held during the school year. So we have the sweetness of seeing everyone befriending someone, but the headache of finding and stepping into our roles here.
This place is like a family where everyone works together and everything is done for the primary goal of being a light and helping hand to the kids. When the kids get here we join in Assembly, basically attendance, separate into classes, the tutors teach on different topics, lunch, two hours in the park, come back to Exodus, all the kids have a snack, which is a small portion of an actual meal, and then creative time and praise time which is where all of our planning comes into play. We all drop in exhaustion, have a meeting with Ashley, our go-to gal, eat, clean, make our way back to the Hostel, have a team meeting, and then disperse for the night. By then its getting pretty dark and all we want is a shower.
It is tiring work and even though the schedule is repetitive, the experiences most definitely aren’t. When we went to go meet at the park, we were recruited in a detour to make almost 150 ham and cheese sandwiches for the Exodus branches in Washington Heights and in Endwood. And packed ours to take to the park. Its been a hot day and extremely stressful.
None of us really know what we expected, if anything, but nothing prepared us for the next generation filled with sass, pomp, and a defensive nature. We did our best and the day was in no way a waste, but we all agreed we need to revamp ourselves and our mission and try some new techniques.
These children threw us off compared to the kids we deal with back home or on other mission trips some of the team have been on. But with disciplined Spirits and pure hearts we are going to sleep to wake up to new opportunities tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Fact 1
"Violent juvenile crime triples between after-school hours 3:00 - 6:00pm. After-school programs help to reduce youth crime and other at-risk behavior." -- The Children's Aid Society
Monday, August 30, 2010
Interested in sharing your NYC story?
If you have served with us in NYC this past summer or even in years past and would like to post share a story from your time with us? Share a special photo or video clip? or what about telling us your story in video? Please email us
Skyscrapers & Gucci
The next few post are going to be by Ashley Gonzalez, from 12Stone Church. This was 12Stones first year serving with us in NYC, they served July 3-10. These blog post are a great perspective into a week serving in NYC!
July 4, 2010
"After sitting for so many hours between carpooling, waiting for our terminal to be called, just watching for Jonathan to be one of the million people checked by airport security, and almost a 2 hour flight later we arrived safely to New York City.
Upon arrival we were less than fanatic about city life than we were about showering, orientation, and sleep.
We took a bus, the first time for most of us, across the city to Manhattan which is where our Hostel and Bobbi Jo were waiting for us. Strangers had no shame staring us down with our obvious fascination of graffiti, local garage shops and homeless men smiling and feeling completely comfortable in their disparity.
Erin's loud amazement of every, single gas station we passed only drew more stares as if in Atlanta we rode around in horses and buggies.
There are drunk, homeless men, broken bottles and trash on streets. Loud conversations, immodest dress, and daring looks of opposition on many sides. There is a fear, and a spiritual poverty over this place. Sure the building are bright and shiny and tall. People walk around with Dolce, Gucci, Prada, Coogi, and the latest sneakers and fashion. Some spend carelessly, while others haggle desperately.
As much fun as we as a team have and dedication to this trip before this weekend, I believe the precise moment of this mission began at orientation. Sitting on a balcony eating New York pizza and learning of four other young women who were joining the team here allowed the purpose to set in. In silence we all reflected on why we were here and just how great this could be for us.
We raised questions, concerns, curiosity and then, like the children you know us to be, scampered all over the Hostel and across roof tops. There were a few ambulance sirens, a questionable SUV at the corner street, people sitting in their doorways, and helicopters above in the sky. But even with those elements like we see in the movies and hear about from New Yorkers nothing could explain the peace felt just laying on the rooftops and watching the city.
We cruised through Time Square, shopped and dined in China Town, and took the wrong train towards Brooklyn, instead of Manhattan. We ended up almost in Queens. Ooops, did I just tell you that? It was an adventure.
Tired, full, and anxious we all forced ourselves to rest and sleep. Despite our preparations we do not know what to expect on Monday. And as great as surprises are, sometimes just not knowing can drive you crazy.
With prayers and thanksgiving to God we have released all power and Glory to Him. We just focused on flexibility and openness to whatever may come."
July 4, 2010
"After sitting for so many hours between carpooling, waiting for our terminal to be called, just watching for Jonathan to be one of the million people checked by airport security, and almost a 2 hour flight later we arrived safely to New York City.
Upon arrival we were less than fanatic about city life than we were about showering, orientation, and sleep.
We took a bus, the first time for most of us, across the city to Manhattan which is where our Hostel and Bobbi Jo were waiting for us. Strangers had no shame staring us down with our obvious fascination of graffiti, local garage shops and homeless men smiling and feeling completely comfortable in their disparity.
Erin's loud amazement of every, single gas station we passed only drew more stares as if in Atlanta we rode around in horses and buggies.
There are drunk, homeless men, broken bottles and trash on streets. Loud conversations, immodest dress, and daring looks of opposition on many sides. There is a fear, and a spiritual poverty over this place. Sure the building are bright and shiny and tall. People walk around with Dolce, Gucci, Prada, Coogi, and the latest sneakers and fashion. Some spend carelessly, while others haggle desperately.
As much fun as we as a team have and dedication to this trip before this weekend, I believe the precise moment of this mission began at orientation. Sitting on a balcony eating New York pizza and learning of four other young women who were joining the team here allowed the purpose to set in. In silence we all reflected on why we were here and just how great this could be for us.
We raised questions, concerns, curiosity and then, like the children you know us to be, scampered all over the Hostel and across roof tops. There were a few ambulance sirens, a questionable SUV at the corner street, people sitting in their doorways, and helicopters above in the sky. But even with those elements like we see in the movies and hear about from New Yorkers nothing could explain the peace felt just laying on the rooftops and watching the city.
We cruised through Time Square, shopped and dined in China Town, and took the wrong train towards Brooklyn, instead of Manhattan. We ended up almost in Queens. Ooops, did I just tell you that? It was an adventure.
Tired, full, and anxious we all forced ourselves to rest and sleep. Despite our preparations we do not know what to expect on Monday. And as great as surprises are, sometimes just not knowing can drive you crazy.
With prayers and thanksgiving to God we have released all power and Glory to Him. We just focused on flexibility and openness to whatever may come."
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Sign up now for 2011 Mission Trips!
Yes, it is still August of 2010, but 2011 will be here before we know it! It is never to early to start planning for 2011 mission trip opportunities. MTW has opportunities for your church or college group to serve both in New York City with Operation Exodus and around the globe!
Curious what opportunities there are? Let's chat! CONTACT US!
Curious what opportunities there are? Let's chat! CONTACT US!
MTW Go Global
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Ciera shares of her time at Operation Exodus
I’m Ciera and I was part of my church’s mission team who worked with Operation Exodus the last week in July.
I worked with the kindergarten class at Washington Heights all week. Our theme for the week was forgiveness, so with everything we did with the kids we tried to somehow relate it to forgiving others as Christ as forgiven us. One of the ways we did this was at creative time every day. While we were making our crafts we used the time to talk to the kids and to really get them thinking about who they needed to forgive. Some of the kids would tell me stories of how friends and family members had hurt them, but now they knew they needed to forgive them.
Praise time was probably my favorite part of every day, though. We talked about the story of Joseph and his brothers and how that related to forgiveness. I think the kids really enjoyed watching the skits our team acted out, and it gave them a practical example of what forgiveness looks like. Also, on Friday I had the opportunity to kind of wrap up what we had learned about forgiveness all week and show how the story of Joseph ultimately points to Jesus.
Overall it was an incredible week, but very exhausting and filled with mixed emotions. But as Christians, we live by faith, not by feelings.
I’m so thankful for the time I had to hang out with “my kids,” as I call them, and to get to know them. It’s been a week now since my last day at Exodus, and not a day has went by that they haven’t crossed my mind. I’m still missing them.
I worked with the kindergarten class at Washington Heights all week. Our theme for the week was forgiveness, so with everything we did with the kids we tried to somehow relate it to forgiving others as Christ as forgiven us. One of the ways we did this was at creative time every day. While we were making our crafts we used the time to talk to the kids and to really get them thinking about who they needed to forgive. Some of the kids would tell me stories of how friends and family members had hurt them, but now they knew they needed to forgive them.
Praise time was probably my favorite part of every day, though. We talked about the story of Joseph and his brothers and how that related to forgiveness. I think the kids really enjoyed watching the skits our team acted out, and it gave them a practical example of what forgiveness looks like. Also, on Friday I had the opportunity to kind of wrap up what we had learned about forgiveness all week and show how the story of Joseph ultimately points to Jesus.
Overall it was an incredible week, but very exhausting and filled with mixed emotions. But as Christians, we live by faith, not by feelings.
I’m so thankful for the time I had to hang out with “my kids,” as I call them, and to get to know them. It’s been a week now since my last day at Exodus, and not a day has went by that they haven’t crossed my mind. I’m still missing them.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Reflections from Julie Burke, a volunteer from North Carolina
"My name is Julie Burke and my church just returned from NYC where we were working with Operation Exodus for the last week of July.
I have been a teacher for the last 20 years and I am the mother of 3, so I felt pretty confident that I would be able to handle whatever I needed to do on this mission trip. God sent me here to humble me into dependence on Him. Our pastor described the first couple of days like trying to take a sip from a fire hose. Learning names, walking kids across busy city streets and learning the schedule and procedures were very difficult. At the end of Monday and Tuesday I felt inadequate and discouraged.
Each night when we returned to the hostel our group would meet and talk about the day. Our focus those first two nights was on the fruits of the spirit. I prayed and asked God for peace. God showed up for me Wednesday morning through Ashley - the director. She gave me a quick word of encouragement before our field trip that day, and God's peace came over me. I realized that my adequacy was not what mattered here. God was at work despite my sense of failure, and He is more than adequate. I was able to do my job the rest of the week and leave the results to Him.
I left the week feeling tired, "hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair." I was able to understand that verse in a new, much more real way in NYC. We really do "have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
A few Awesome Effort Students
Each week, a student is awarded Awesome Effort from each classroom, here are only a few of our kids who have worked hard to earn Awesome Effort this summer!
Coming to an End
Bobbi Jo will have time to post more pictures from the summer once she is back in Atlanta, but for now, I just wanted to take a second to thank everyone who has helped to make this summer go so well. For all of the supporters, prayer teams at home, volunteers, associate staff, churches, youth groups, and more.... thank you for being so willing to serve.
We pray that your time in New York brought glory to God. We pray that you learned so much. We pray that seeds were planted or harvested. We pray that you experienced the kingdom of God like never before. And we pray you come again!
Currently, we've got Centralia Pres and Zion Pres at OE. They will be there until Saturday.. pray for them as they finish out their week and return home!
If you have stories you'd like to share about your time in NYC, we'd love to know! You can email any stories to stephanie.heaney@mtw.org.
Also.... check out the new MTW website for generation "y" http://goglobal.mtw.org You can also submit stories there as well.
We pray that your time in New York brought glory to God. We pray that you learned so much. We pray that seeds were planted or harvested. We pray that you experienced the kingdom of God like never before. And we pray you come again!
Currently, we've got Centralia Pres and Zion Pres at OE. They will be there until Saturday.. pray for them as they finish out their week and return home!
If you have stories you'd like to share about your time in NYC, we'd love to know! You can email any stories to stephanie.heaney@mtw.org.
Also.... check out the new MTW website for generation "y" http://goglobal.mtw.org You can also submit stories there as well.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Week 2 Theme: LOVE
Last week, we had two groups here serving with us from Briarwood Pres from Birmingham AL and Cornerstone Pres in Columbia, SC and it was our biggest group of volunteer mission teams EVER! We had a total of 68 people between the two groups and individuals who joined us! The Lord was faithful to us in many ways last week, including seeing a few kids come to know Christ, I hope to post these stories as soon as I can get the team members to write them up for me! Praise the Lord with me for those who came to know the Lord and also be praying for them as they grow in their faith!
The theme for last week was LOVE! Each groups teaching surrounding the topic of love and both did a great job! Thank you all for pouring your lives into our kids! I wanted to share with you the videos Cornerstone made. They introduced each day with a slideshow of images from the day, fun music and then also introduced the Praise time topic via a video. I will start with only posting day one's video. I will post the others in the coming days!
The theme for last week was LOVE! Each groups teaching surrounding the topic of love and both did a great job! Thank you all for pouring your lives into our kids! I wanted to share with you the videos Cornerstone made. They introduced each day with a slideshow of images from the day, fun music and then also introduced the Praise time topic via a video. I will start with only posting day one's video. I will post the others in the coming days!
Day One Love by Cornerstone Pres from Bobbi Jo Brooks on Vimeo.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
A few images from the first week of Summer Program
Jumping for joy :-) Summer program is back!
--
More to come!
Monday, July 19, 2010
New Post coming soon I promise
Hi All,
I have been a bit behind on anything related to a computer since I arrived in NYC, so I promise an update with photos coming very soon!
Bobbi Jo
I have been a bit behind on anything related to a computer since I arrived in NYC, so I promise an update with photos coming very soon!
Bobbi Jo
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Global Missions Conference
The PCA Global Missions Conference is coming up and we would LOVE for you to join us!
Here's a blurb about it:
Join fellow believers from across the PCA in Chattanooga this November in a joyous celebration of hope hosted together by Mission to the World and Covenant College. Hear about the work of Christ in church planting, mercy ministry, medical outreach, student internships, arts in missions, and much more. Personally connect with others in the PCA as well as in the global church. Learn more about partnerships. Be challenged by ministry updates. Prayerfully explore your role and that of your church. Encourage others. Most of all, join in the worship of Christ—The Hope of Nations!
To sign up and get other helpful information regarding speakers, musicians, schedules, etc., you can go here https://www.signup4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=GLOB59E&OID=50
Hope to see you there!!!!
Here's a blurb about it:
Join fellow believers from across the PCA in Chattanooga this November in a joyous celebration of hope hosted together by Mission to the World and Covenant College. Hear about the work of Christ in church planting, mercy ministry, medical outreach, student internships, arts in missions, and much more. Personally connect with others in the PCA as well as in the global church. Learn more about partnerships. Be challenged by ministry updates. Prayerfully explore your role and that of your church. Encourage others. Most of all, join in the worship of Christ—The Hope of Nations!
To sign up and get other helpful information regarding speakers, musicians, schedules, etc., you can go here https://www.signup4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=GLOB59E&OID=50
Hope to see you there!!!!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Update from Exodus!
Here are a few excerpts from Operation Exodus' latest prayer letter:
"It has been an exciting school year at Exodus - Washington Heights and Inwood. Our amazing God has blessed us in ways we did not expect.
Wonderfully qualified teachers and other professionals, looking for a bit of a financial cushion, have joined our staff and their expertise has influenced our students and staff for the best.
Mentors are consistently coming every Saturday to give children the Good News and students are emotionally more stable and are reading the Bible.
One third grader read the whole Bible in one weekend and is already a little preacher to her family. “The stories are amazing,” she says.
Parents are more engaged. We shared with them that we did not have as much funding for the summer program as in the past (with the implication that we’d have to raise parent fees) and the news mobilized them to find ways to help raise money. They came up with the idea to do a raffle, provided the prize, sold the tickets and this past Friday, one of their friends won a dinner for four at Carmines to celebrate Mother’s Day. Exodus received $2,200 - that is a lot of money coming from the families we serve.
We are encouraged. On May 20, Exodus is hosting a fund-raising event at Dillon Gallery in Chelsea from 7-9pm. The idea is that Exodus friends will connect with our ministry and desire to help us bring down God’s kingdom in Washington Heights and Inwood through quality afterschool tutoring, mentoring and summer achievement programs."
"Please join us in prayer that Exodus after-school tutoring, mentoring and summer achievement programs will continue to support families like Eulalia’s. We are asking the Lord for $100,000 and we hope to get it at the event on May 20."
Please pray with us as we ask the Lord to provide in such an amazing way, and that Exodus will continue to grow and tell many of His wonderous love.
"It has been an exciting school year at Exodus - Washington Heights and Inwood. Our amazing God has blessed us in ways we did not expect.
Wonderfully qualified teachers and other professionals, looking for a bit of a financial cushion, have joined our staff and their expertise has influenced our students and staff for the best.
Mentors are consistently coming every Saturday to give children the Good News and students are emotionally more stable and are reading the Bible.
One third grader read the whole Bible in one weekend and is already a little preacher to her family. “The stories are amazing,” she says.
Parents are more engaged. We shared with them that we did not have as much funding for the summer program as in the past (with the implication that we’d have to raise parent fees) and the news mobilized them to find ways to help raise money. They came up with the idea to do a raffle, provided the prize, sold the tickets and this past Friday, one of their friends won a dinner for four at Carmines to celebrate Mother’s Day. Exodus received $2,200 - that is a lot of money coming from the families we serve.
We are encouraged. On May 20, Exodus is hosting a fund-raising event at Dillon Gallery in Chelsea from 7-9pm. The idea is that Exodus friends will connect with our ministry and desire to help us bring down God’s kingdom in Washington Heights and Inwood through quality afterschool tutoring, mentoring and summer achievement programs."
"Please join us in prayer that Exodus after-school tutoring, mentoring and summer achievement programs will continue to support families like Eulalia’s. We are asking the Lord for $100,000 and we hope to get it at the event on May 20."
Please pray with us as we ask the Lord to provide in such an amazing way, and that Exodus will continue to grow and tell many of His wonderous love.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Bring in the Culture
I came across this great article titled, "Uptown in the Carribean". The article is a few years old so some parts of it may be a bit outdated, and it focuses mostly on the culture of food and entertainment, but I do recommend reading it. It paints a wonderful picture of the place you will be immersed in for a week from the smells of food to the domino games on the sidewalks! I was captivated by the imageries and descriptions and I could see the colors, smell the food, hear the rhythms of the musicians....
"When you emerge from the train, you'll find some big changes from wherever you got on: domino games dot the sidewalks; car stereos demonstrate the Doppler effect with reggaetón and bachata music; the price of plantains nose dives. And everything seems to be done a bit louder (and with a little more laughter)."
Read it!!!
http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/10/28/travel/28weekend.html?ex=1194408000&en=fe73ee9e5c5e9930&ei=5070&emc=eta1
"When you emerge from the train, you'll find some big changes from wherever you got on: domino games dot the sidewalks; car stereos demonstrate the Doppler effect with reggaetón and bachata music; the price of plantains nose dives. And everything seems to be done a bit louder (and with a little more laughter)."
Read it!!!
http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/10/28/travel/28weekend.html?ex=1194408000&en=fe73ee9e5c5e9930&ei=5070&emc=eta1
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