January 16, 2009

It's a little cold today... everywhere! This was the coldest day in NYC for years. We got a little snow yesterday, but not much. The wind is not blowing hard, so the windchill is only a few degrees below 0 at night. I'm thankful we aren't having winter storms. So, even though it's cold, I'm thankful.

I was allowed to work at GCN soup kitchen 3 nights this week. I always enjoy serving there. Even working in the kitchen didn't keep my fingers from getting cold. Those coming in for dinner were bundled up and thankful for a warm meal and a warm place to eat it. The place was packed. As I left to go home, I looked at all the people hunkered down in their coats preparing to sleep in chairs all night. It made me so thankful for my own room and a bed to lie down in. Most of these homeless people at GCN are trying to better themselves and find jobs to get back on their feet. However, with the economy and unemployment so bad here, it makes you wonder if they feel like it's no use. But those I heard speaking about it weren't giving up hope. 'Someday' they will be able to find a job again. I pray they keep their positive attitude and don't give up. I pray that Believers get the chance to talk to them about the Hope for the future that comes from Christ. I'm planning on volunteering there at least once or twice a week as long as they can use me. Maybe I'll get the chance to have more than a snippet of conversation with some of them. The clients express their thankfulness to us volunteers. They would still get fed no matter who serves there, but they acknowledge that someone cares enough to come and help. It's a blessing to be there.

Speaking of GCN (Grand Central Neighborhood) Mainchance facility, I enjoy working with the dinner crew, Mr. Lou and Vanessa, and some of the regular volunteers. Also, it's nice to organize mission teams with the volunteer coordinator Maura. Mr. Lou has new glasses. (that news will make the mission team from Bethel Baptist Church in Yorktown PA happy to know!) I found a new need that can easily be filled, too... GCN 'recycles' cell phones so that the clients getting jobs can use them. I have 2 old cell phones that I'm taking next week. If anyone would like to send along their old cell phones for this purpose, just let me know!

Now that I'm feeling better, I'll be getting back into the swing of working at Project Find Coffeehouse soup kitchen here on the westside of Mid-town. I hope to be able to work there a couple of times a week as well. This is a place that serves senior adult homeless persons. I received an email from the Director of Project Find (they have 5 senior adult facilities) explaining some changes to their programs. They are going to increase their focus on homebound seniors, as well as update their current programs for everyone else. I'm excited to be asked to participate in these programs.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm planning on checking into volunteering in the family waiting room and kid's playroom in the Pediatric Cancer ward at the Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital. It was a great experience last Monday, when I visited with the Allum family. Just being there to play with the kids (we all know how much I love playing with kids!) and just chatting with the parents is such an easy thing to do, but it makes such an impact on these families who are living in a surreal world of illness and treatment. God can take a short time of conversation and make it into a healing encounter. He works in so many ways.

Yesterday, NYC experienced what is being dubbed 'the Miracle on the Hudson'. I cannot imagine going through that ordeal, or even witnessing it. I was on the subway when it happened and didn't know about it till I got to the GCN kitchen. Of course, at first there are lots of conflicting stories. (including that a plane had crashed into a Circle Line Sightseeing boat - but that was because the boat got there so quickly after the 'landing') When we heard the real news, it was hard to believe that an airliner could 'crash land' on the river without breaking apart. And it was amazing that unofficial rescuers were there so quickly, even before the really fast NY First Responders. And that everyone survived with relatively few injuries. It's wonderful that this huge piece of news that is being told over and over across the country is a positive story. It's as if God had the plane in His hand and gently guided it down. I'm so glad that it is something positive for people to concentrate on for a change.

Well, tomorrow is supposed to hit 18 degrees! I'm so excited! I'm meeting a friend for lunch and going food shopping. I may even drop in at Barnes and Noble Bookstore to peruse the healthy cookbooks. That is if I don't freeze into a Popsicle while walking down the streets! But I'll thaw out eventually! Thank you God for my warm NYC coat!