Today was a day filled with so much serving and excitement. We started the day eating breakfast then heading to The NYC Dream Center where we were split into teams having some make prayer signs, some making postcards, and others helping and serving in the warehouse. The whole team banded together to pack bags for the homeless and then we headed to the heights after lunch where we walked and prayed for certain areas. We then finished our serving day handing out cards and inviting people to church. Lastly as a class, we got to go and experience Chelsea Market and hangout a bit. Which was a ton of fun and people made many memories.

-Claire Ketchum 

For our last full day of ministry, we started the day by getting ready, eating breakfast, and making our way over to the Dream Center. Instead of working inside the warehouse, we traveled back to Harlem, where we had been a few days earlier, and served there. Using the care packages we put together yesterday, we walked through the streets and different areas of Harlem, handing them out to people in need. After that, we took the subway to Washington Square Park and later to Times Square to offer prayer to the community. We used posters and signs to start conversations in those areas. It was really cool to meet new people and hear about their experiences.

After ministry, we walked a few blocks over to Rockefeller Center to have dinner before heading to a Broadway show. The show we saw was The Play That Goes Wrong, and we even had seats close to the front. It was slightly interactive, and at the beginning they pulled Mr. Blalock to be part of the skit, which was really fun to watch. The show was hilarious, and almost everyone was laughing the entire time. It was a fun, impactful, and memorable last day in NYC.

Mallory Whitloc

Today we went back to the Dream Center to continue doing ministry work. We were split into two teams. One team went on a prayer walk around multiple locations to pray over the community. The other team helped load up supplies into trucks and made prayer signs that we would use later. After lunch (someone super nice brought us Dunkin’!), we headed off to Harlem with the prayer signs we made to pray over any passersby that needed it. Once that was done, we hopped over to the Brooklyn Bridge and ate some delicious pizza for dinner. Some people went back to the dorms and others stayed to walk across the bridge. The view speaks for itself. And that wraps up the day!

-Joanna Yang

Today, we were able to do so many things such as creating postcards for supporters of the Dream center, creating and packing bag kits to eventually give out to the community, lunch off the water in Long Island city, visiting Hamilton heights communities and giving out invitations to the Grace Place Church, and having dinner at the Chelsea Market.

After a well rested morning, we arrived at the Dream Center and were separated into two groups, one to make post cards and the other for creating gift bags. As we worked through each bag individually, it was complicated for people and challenging, so we’d worked together to create an assembly line to make the bags faster and easier.

We then went to lunch and took the subway up towards Hamilton heights with our prayer walk. We then spread out across the area with cards as an invitation which was exciting as it allowed me to talk to different people and help them come to church whether they have gone to one or not.

We ended the night with dinner around the Chelsea Market where I was able to explore the small and amazing restaurants that had amazing food, as well as cool shops such as the flea market with multiple different vendors who had great items and were super nice and inviting.

Connor Elia 

Today was an amazing and adventurous day because we ate breakfast and then headed out to the Dream Center. But before we did, when we were on the subway, we missed the stop. But after almost an hour, we finally made it back to the center. We did a lot of moving items around and also helping others by getting different items for their children and also themselves. I was in the diaper section, and I talked to almost everyone and I was surprised when most of them spoke Spanish. I spoke to all of them and in which they were all pretty thankful for me speaking Spanish. But one of the people was really nice, and he was Ecuadorian After helping him, he showed me his little boy and he was adorable. But after all that hard work, we went to Times Square and ate some good pizza and hung out with Josh p, Josh y and Preston to finish the day off. And then we all went back and played a very fun card game together to end the night. 

-Kayden Yinger

Today was very interesting. First, we started out eating breakfast together and then headed to the Dream Center of NYC. But, myself and few others of us accidently missed the stop we were supposed to get off at. However, after almost an hour of trying to find our way back, we made it!! Once we got there, we jumped into a wonderful atmosphere where I got to make popcorn for the first time and hand it out to younger kids all the way from South America. Serving with the Dream Center was an amazing experience that allowed every one of us to see the need that had come from across the world. Then, we had free time in Times Square. Times Square has to be my favorite part when visiting New York, but it definitely solidified that feeling tonight. We went towards the end of the night so I was REALLY tired and I just wanted to lay down. But, God was able to use me even when I didnt want to be there because in Chic-fil-a, I was able to buy a meal for a man’s child. He wasnt speaking like English was his first language and he was selling candy, probably trying to sell enough to buy his very young son the sandwich I was able to buy for them. I really loved this moment because it proved to me that anywhere where you go, there is always someone who needs to experience the love of Jesus, and I loved that I was the one who was able to show that to them this evening. I can’t wait for what’s in store tomorrow!!

-Reese Ohlert

The day before was super impactful. Upon leaving NYSUM, we went to the Dream Center to split up in two groups to receive a tour: (pictured below)

As we kept walking, with the ‘Need prayer?’ posters we had made, we held them up and prayed for people in the streets of Harlem. After that, we took a break in Marcus Garvey Park where learners raced each other back and forth between trees. 

Once everyone was gathered, Mr. Blalock treated everyone to an authentic Brooklyn pizza called ‘Grimaldi’s’ in which we all ate at Brooklyn Pier Park—big slices of pepperoni and cheese.

We then had a choice to walk the Brooklyn Bridge. It was the perfect time as the top of Empire State Building light was green, and the Statue of Liberty’s torch was ignited with flames. It was a peaceful haze of a blue-ish green and orange skies, and the view amongst the bridge was far ahead with a clear path and the structure beaming above us. It was excellent to see the cars passing by along with the people. We got one last chance to shop around for a few minutes outside at a night market beside city hall. It was an overall action-packed and adventurous day going into the night. We served many, walked plenty, and ate till we were filled, all of this serving the Lord in all of His glory.

-Rami Cochran

This has been a really cool trip up to this point. We started off the first day by landing at JFK in the morning and going to NYSUM for an orientation. After that we went into Manhattan and had lunch at Rockefeller Center and went to the Top of the Rock and FAO Schwarz. After that we walked over to Bryant Park and the NY Public Library which was a cool experience. Then to finish the first day we had dinner underneath Grand Central Station and went back to NYSUM.

The second day was more sightseeing as we started by walking around the Financial District and seeing Wall Street, the Stock Exchange Building, Trinity Church, and the World Trade Center. Then we took the train to Little Italy for lunch where I had some really good fettuccini alfredo and walked around SoHo for a little bit. Then we went back down to the tip of Manhattan to take the Staten Island Ferry and passed by the Statue of Liberty both ways. After that we got a chance to go to Central Park where I was able to meet up with my cousin who lives here in NYC and is a former alumni and just got to spend some time with her. Then we grabbed dinner in Columbus Circle and headed back to NYSUM for the night. -Aaron Hoogenraad

I’ll add that it was really cool to see Sarah Hoogenraad (class of 2016) and Chandler Holloway (class of 2017) who just got married last year. They live, work, and do ministry together in New York. They also served on several mission teams to NY almost 10 years ago with myself and Mrs. Buster! We got to have dinner and share some memories. So good to see them both! -Mr. Blalock

So far the New York team had a positive travel and city experience! The first night, the team took a red eye all the way to New York, where we landed in a ton of fog. Then, the first day of our adventure being in the city, we had a blast walking around New York and going to different tourist destinations like the top of the Rockefeller Center where we could see all of New York from all directions. It was definitely a highlight as we got to see the beauty of the city from up high. The team also went to the New York Public Library (which looked like it came straight out of the Beauty and Beast movie), and experienced the hustle and bustle of the subway. 

Today, our team got to experience Mr. Blalock’s famous financial history tour and the team headed up to Staten Island, riding a ferry right by Lady Liberty. The team then at night got to walk around and find a dinner place that appealed to them and everyone had the chance to appreciate the beauty of Central Park. There were many chances to buy clothing and yummy sweets as we all also walked around Soho. For me, I’ve had a lovely time so far with all of my friends and it’s been very cool to experience the fast pace New York life!!

Abby