This morning was the most difficult morning to wake up, and it wasn't even for ministry! It was for a giant green woman! We got up early so that we wouldn't have to wait in the increasingly large line to see the Statue of Liberty. It was windy and cold this morning until we got to the island, then it was sunny...until we climbed 275 steps to the overlook and it poured :)It was alright though. The students had a great attitude. As a matter of fact, it would be sunny, then raining like doomsday, then sunny, then raining etc. all day long. We got to walk past the World Trade Center until it poured haha, and then we found shelter in a Starbucks...(the students have been begging Ps for their blessed Starbucks). After it stopped raining we went to the church beside the World Trade Center and payed our respects. Then we headed back to the mission. We were all more than willing to stop touring today for some rest. About half the kids stayed up and played cards and the other half,(including myself), took an amazing nap! I usually don't nap because I can't get back to sleep at night, but today i fell asleep around the time my eyes closed. As you can tell, this trip has been a very tiring one, for all of us. I would credit most of it to the walking though. Even to get to the subway we have to walk a couple blocks. But, please don't get the idea that were not loving serving the Lord just because we're tired. Ps told me in Romania, and I've reminded myself here that,"I can sleep when I get home!" After our nap time we ate some pizza and prepared for our "cheesecake and a conversation that will change your life" open house. It actually just ended and it went very well. We had a good turnout and many people asked questions, were prayed over, and asked about coming to the church. I know that I can speak for Ps, as well as myself when I say this, but your teenagers impressed me tonight. Even the more shy ones were on the street passing out fliers and then sitting at tables beside random New Yowkas making small talk, then sharing their personal testimonies and the Gospel of Jesus Messiah! They served the Lord today in very tired spirits but didn't act like it was a problem. I have been encouraged and blessed to help lead your students this summer. I keep getting really great experiences that remind me that your students can encourage me, just as much as I can disciple and encourage them. Now were getting ready to go to sleep and will spend tomorrow working at Manor Community Church. We hope to play some games with the local kids in the park beside it and witness, but who knows what will happen! I know I've probably said this every post but please continue to pray for us. Not only for us, but pray that "the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into the field" here in New York. Our hearts are heavy for this place. The students are constantly being reminded that God is doing exactly what He wants with this city and that it is not a lost cause. He is sovereign over all and they trust that, but they also realize that the Lord fulfills His will through us. We get the honor of being used by God as his privy pots, or literally dung pots. I honestly think the students have learned a lot from Dr. Bill Jones' teaching, the Lord and from each other this week. I challenge you parents with this: be ready to listen to what the Lord has done in your teenagers life when they come home and continue to teach them from the Word, which will breed the next generations of real, sincere Christ followers. The Lord is doing a work in our students lives and I pray that it won't die when we return. We are excited about our last day of ministry and sad. We are ready to get home, but not ready to leave then Jones family, because they are being encouraged, and are vocal about it! Anyways, I've typed enough. Pray for us, and well see you in 2 and a half days!
Zach
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