July 1, 2008 (includes pics)

It's been a great couple of weeks. I hope I can remember everything to tell you.
The weather has been pretty good. It changes constantly, but that keeps everything interesting.

Last Friday, I had a very nice visit with Larry, Todd, Nancy and Margaret from Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro AR. We went to Brooklyn to check out the David Dean Mission House. It's a really great place for teams to stay while working here in the city. We also checked out the International Hostel on Amsterdam Ave at W 103rd Street. I was pleasantly surprised with it, too. I love checking out things to make things better for visiting teams.

I got the chance to have dinner and a good conversation with Cody, a friend from church who I hadn't seen a lot lately.


A week ago I got to explore a little more of the city and saw a section of fence that had hundreds of tiles hanging on it. These tiles were from everywhere and all hand painted. It's hard to see them clearly, but here are some pictures of them.




One day last week, I was walking across Manhattan running errands and decided to snap a few shots as I was walking. It was a beautiful day and such a pleasant walk. (having to walk so much is a great thing when the weather is great! remind me of that when I whine!)

Lunch time at Bryant Park







A street performer playing 'drums' on 5 gallon buckets and old iron pans. A normal site. Some of them are actually pretty talented.







About a week ago, a couple of Mike's friends who are very computer savvy, came over from PA to work on our computers. They were whizzes! They had multiple computers going at once. For someone who is technologically challenged, I was quite impressed. We're so thankful for those people who use their God-given gifts and talents to help our little ministry keep chugging along.




Trying to get the PCs and Macs working together.






This week I was surprised by Ricky, a friend who left the city this time last year to train with a company in PA. He is back in the city now and it was great to see him. He's from Peru and his daughter still lives there. Please keep Ricky and Nicole in your prayers as they have to live far from each other. We met Ricky on the last FBC Rogers team trip in 2006. It's so great to see his smiling face. And maybe he can help me practice my Spanish!


I'm ready for summer. I've cut my hair short. (It's actually longer now than when I first started cutting it) and it's so much cooler. I'm usually sweaty by the time I walk to work, so low maintenance is great. As you can see, it's very salt and peppery since I quit coloring it. I feel so liberated! ha




I'm preparing for the next 2 teams coming tomorrow. There will be 40 people total from Pike Baptist Association in McComb MS and Highland Baptist Church in New Iberia LA. The Louisiana team is led by their youth Pastor and the former missions Pastor for the411, Ric White. We are all so excited to have both teams here. I'll update this blog after our adventures are through. Be praying for us as we minister to various places and people over the holiday weekend.

Speaking of the holiday, we'll be spending the evening of the 4th having a picnic and watching the fireworks over the Statue of Liberty. We go to the west side of Manhattan where the crowds are smaller. The fireworks are too, but I don't really want to be crushed by the millions who will crowd on the east side to see the Macy's fireworks display on the East River. (I hate crowds. Good thing I moved to NYC, huh?) Anyway, I pray that your holiday is packed with fun and love and friends and family and food and fireworks!

Have a wonderful holiday and I'll be posting more soon.
Blessings!