Brittney Jones' Mission Trip Journal
12/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Dec. 30, 2008
Brittney Jones' Mission Trip Journal
Friday December 19, 2008
Today was a very interesting day. I woke up at 2:35 AM for a flight at 6:40 AM only to hear of it being cancelled. We had to get another flight to Washington, D.C. It was very interesting because of the humor of our flight attendant. We had to deal with a lost phone, forgotten blanket, and Hayley and I almost missing our second flight because of a food mishap! Once on the connecting flight to New York, our pilot comes on the intercom and tells us the airport in New York was closed because of the snow. We would have to wait until the runway is de-iced before we leave. He told us that he would hope to get us there by 6:00 PM even though we were scheduled to leave around 1:00 PM! During this time, three of our group members (Alex, Chastity, and Paigelee) were waiting for us in the New York airport because they had a different flight. We finally arrived and the lost phone was found! It was so beautiful and white when we arrived, and the snow got Megan and I outside playing in it! We finally got to NYSUM (New York School of Urban Ministry), had orientation, unpacked, ate supper, and took a nap. Lana, Hayley, Megan, and I were roommates! We then had praise and worship where we sang and talked about the power of the Gospel. We then went out to 5th Avenue and ministered to the homeless, passing out blankets, food, water, and toiletries. We met so many men who were very gracious for what we gave them. We rode the subway and had an amazing experience. We turned the corner on one street and saw the most beautiful Christmas tree in Rockefeller center, which actually made me cry at the sight of it.
Saturday December 20, 2008
We woke up, had breakfast of cereal and milk, and had a meeting. We went to a church called Jesus Heart where we helped feed over 400 people breakfast. Emily from Mississippi College and I helped give out pantry bags and put together cereal bags for them. We were able to eat breakfast there and got to sample some ice cream that teenagers make at a store nearby. We then went to another church to put on a Christmas program for children. Hayley and Paigelee put on a great show for them, and we were able to sing Christmas carols and give them toys. I was struck by the sight of this little boy when we were there. His name is Shakeem Moore, and he had this light that shone from him. His mom said when he was born that the doctors told her he was going to be a follower of Christ one day. He said he wanted to be a lawyer when he grows up because he wants to set God's law straight! When I heard that, my heart melted. We were blessed to be given pizza from them, and it was some of the best I have ever eaten. We then came back to NYSUM, ate supper, took a nap, and had praise and worship again. We went out on the streets to a bus station and subway to minister to homeless. We met a man named Larry who had a family and was only homeless because he was stubborn. He let us pray with him and also said he was educated at a technical school to be an electrician. He got caught up in a bad business and found himself out of work. We then went home and talked until we fell asleep.
Sunday December 21, 2008
Today we woke up for kitchen duty at 5:50 AM and didn't get to sleep until 2:30 AM the night before! We made sausage, eggs, and grits and took shifts serving food. We were able to sleep for a few hours before going to church. When we got there we were able to eat lunch. Some went to McDonalds, and Mr. Bill and I went to Starbucks! I had been craving it all week! Mr. Bill and I had an amazing conversation about the Lord and about our past, present, and future! We went to Time Square Church, which is in a beautiful, old opera house. It was one of the most amazing and life changing experiences of my life. They had a choir, and we were able to celebrate their Christmas service with them. It was so powerful, and I found myself so overwhelmed with the Holy Spirit. Mr. Bill had a talk with me before church, and through our talk I was able to let go of some burdens and lay them on God's shoulders. My life was changed today, and I felt so blessed to be there. After, we walked Broadway Avenue and shopped down Times Square. We then took a subway back to NYSUM, got supper, and watched USM win the New Orleans bowl! We went to bed after more girl talk!
Monday December 22, 2008
Today we woke up for breakfast at 7:00 AM and went out at 12:30 PM to a Jewish Synagogue after training. We toured Jewish communities and saw their culture and how they live. The men had side curls, and the women have to modestly dress and wear skirts below the knees. We learned so much about the Jewish religion today and it made me want to strive to learn more about other religions to not be so ignorant and grow stronger with the Lord. They have ultraorthodox, orthodox, and secular Jews who believe in a different Messiah than us. We were able to go into their synagogue and talk with the women about their religion. We talked to an 18 year old from France and a 21 year old from New York. We learned about the 7 laws, their Messiah, and the 613 laws from Israel they have to abide to. We learned so much about the history of the Jewish religion. It was very eye opening. I hope to open my heart more to others and reach out to them. It is our last day, and we are going to do more homeless ministry after praise and worship. We ate chili and rice for supper. We went to a homeless shelter where Emily and I talked to a man named Frank who was out of work. He had obtained his MBA and was once an accountant. Unfortunate situations led him to become homeless and stay in NYC to find work. His wife was at home with her mother, and they had three boys one being an accountant out of work also. He was originally from Florida, and he talked about how corrupt the shelter system is. He was shut out of a job because he said the system tried to make him out to be a drug dealer. He was catholic and had his prayer book taken and ripped up in a shelter. He did keep his rosary in his pocket. Al was a man who talked about looking only into peoples eyes, and he said he knew by our eyes that we were followers of God! We got in earlier than normal and had time to talk with all the girls in our group. We had a blast and finally went to sleep around 2:30 AM!
Tuesday December 23, 2008
Today is the day to leave, and it feels like we just got here! We had cereal and bagels for breakfast, and we had to say bye to everyone including Chef Thomas, Nikki, and Steve! Our flight left at 12:00 PM into the ATL airport. We finally got to Jackson around 4:30 PM. I am going to miss NYC, and I hope and pray that we take what we learned and apply it everywhere we go. It was such a blessing to go and experience everything, and I will miss everyone so much. I want to thank everyone (Lana, Megan, Jasmine, Mr. Bill, Mr. Trey, Chris, Emily, Hayley, Chastity, Alex, Hayley, and Paigelee) for the memories that I will keep with me forever! It's now time to enjoy my family and Christmas!