Updates & Announcements!

Hello everyone!

Fall is here and I cannot help but think of the beauty of new seasons and what they represent. A lot has happened since my last update and I want to take this time and share some things God’s been speaking and doing in here.

School & Internship

Earlier this year, I sensed that it was time to go back to school. Back in 2012, I graduated back in my undergrad degree in social work. My intentions in going to school were always to use this degree in ministry – in which I’ve been able to do all these years. So with the leading of God and my leaders in agreement, I started applying to grad schools and was accepted to Lehman College for their Social Work Advance Standing Program. The program itself is a small intensive one year with five classes per semester and internship. It’s been over a month now since I started and I cannot tell you just how amazed and thankful I am for the opportunity. I see God’s hand in His timing and am learning a lot about myself in the midst of it.

There have been many moments of challenge yet I see where He has prepared me for this. In the midst of all this change, I’ve been holding onto the promise that God is faithful to complete the work He started and I trust His ability to take me by the hand and guide me. My internship works with children and families and I will have the opportunity to grow in applying clinical skills and counseling, along with helping the agency start a new program from ground up. Both are exciting opportunities to continue learning how social work fits in the midst of the calling God has in my life within the ministry.

Street LIFE Ministries

As far as being at Street LIFE Ministries goes, I am still serving and part of the outreaches 2-3 days  a week. It’s been awesome seeing how what I learn in school applies out on the streets. Especially the counseling part and being able to identify further the needs and strengths of those we weekly interact with. I am seeing people in a whole new light and one of the many challenges God’s been speaking to me is seeing people through His eyes. Just the other day, walking through a "run down" neighborhood, I felt a sense of fear and disgust as I passed by those in the area. Immediately, God spoke to my heart how we only see what we see on the outside but He sees them in a different way. As I pondered my own fears and judgments about people, this statement continues to challenge me. It sounds so simple and even though I work and serve with those who are broken and hurting, it’s easy to judge and pass people without thinking, those are people who God made in His image – full of beauty, character, life. No matter how broken, run down, beaten up they might appear, there’s destiny behind everyone.

My prayer for is to keep allowing God to break me for what breaks His heart. To see people not in their sin but in His grace and how I can further them along that journey to know Him. I’ve come to the conclusion that evangelism isn’t about how we can get someone “to be saved” but how does my life lead someone closer to the Lord. Even if it means they only get one glimpse of the heart of Jesus and not making that commitment right away – I know it’s the work of the Holy Spirit inside me.

There’s so much work to be done in New York City. I am thankful to be a part of it and see glimpses of God’s glory on the streets. I am excited for what this year will hold as I learn more and apply this knowledge out on the streets, at my internship and life. Please keep praying for me as I have tons of school work and limited time. Midterms are coming up at the end of this month & I start seeing clients at the clinic this week. I want to serve God to the best of my abilities and ultimately know that the strength to do this it’s going to come from Him alone. 

To conclude this email, I want to leave you with this has been a Bible verse that’s encouragement me during this time. 'Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5, NASB). Thank you so much for your prayers & support. Please let me know how you are doing and if there is anything I can pray for you!

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In Christ,

Amy Wong

p.s. to check out the latest testimony from the streets of NYC, check out SLM's September update. I have the privilege of being able to minister this beautiful young lady during Worship Warfare Week. Check it out: Super Abundant Grace

Yvonne - a Prayer Station Testimony

You never know the impact you have on someone’s life. Sometimes there are people who I only meet once and never hear from again, but that was not the case with Yvonne.

I met Yvonne at our Jamaica Prayer Station back in 2011. At that time, she shared how she felt hurt by the church but knew God was not letting her go. She had an incredible testimony of being delivered from drug addictions and had seen the power of God to heal. Throughout our conversation I was encouraging her to not give up on the church and how important it is to keep meeting with other Christians. That day, we prayed and I invited her to visit us at King's Fellowship (our Sunday night service). Throughout the following months, we kept in touch but Yvonne was hesitant to return back to church.  After a while, she went away and we lost contact.

Last fall, I got a voice message from Yvonne stating she remembered me and that God was speaking to her about going back to church. She came out the following Sunday and enjoyed her time. Since then, she continues to come and is a part of our King’s Fellowship family. Yvonne is not the same women I met a few years ago. God is healing her heart and drawing her into a deeper relationship. She’s expressed interest in volunteering with us, knowing that she cannot keep to herself all that God has done. Her story has been an incredible encouragement. Through the years, I’ve met many on the streets that have been hurt by the church but desire a genuine relationship with other believers. Our vision for The Kings Fellowship is to have a safe place where people could feel welcomed, be loved, learn more about God. Yvonne’s life is one of many who I’ve seen changed by becoming a part of this community. Her heart and devotion to the Lord is blossoming and I thank God that He is so faithful to do more than we could ask, hope or imagine. I am excited for the days ahead where there will be many more like her who will continue to experience the healing and freedom of God.

Yvonne & Ana Maria praying with someone on the streets

Photo Journey: February & March

This post is a photo journey of some highlights during February & March. Enjoy!

Donna: This is my friend Donna. She affectionately calls me her "China daughter." I've known her since I first served with SLM. She's been off the streets and clean for some time now. I'm so proud of her and so thankful to see God keep her all these years! She's battled homelessness and alcoholism since she was young. I am thankful for the miracle and the fruition of many prayers for her life. Please keep praying because I know the struggle is real but I believe she's got purpose and won't give up on her.

Maria: being able to connect and pray with Maria has been one of my favorite things that happen recently. Maria’s been a part of our family at Tompkins Square Park for a few months but we’ve never been able to connect on a deeper level. This past week we had a long conversation where Maria shared some of her past and life. We were able to relate with each other as I shared my testimony where God changed and transformed me from my rebellious days. I love how God is bringing that connection, she even said “I feel like you and I are very similar.” I am thankful to have her trust and friendship.

Don’t Walk By: Another successful year of outreach with the NYC Rescue Alliance. This year my job was to dispatch and send vans to pick up the homeless and bring them to the anchor church for a hot meal and resources. Statistics from this year's outreach: - We had nearly 1,200 volunteers - Over 700 homeless men and women were engaged on the streets - 136 of these received medical assistance  -68 were transported from the anchor church to stay two nights at the New York City Rescue Mission.

The King's Fellowship: every Sunday 5pm-8pm we gather to have a time of fellowship and prayer. For us, it's the invitation to continually connect with those we meet on the streets and for local believers to receive training and grow in their walk with God. Recently, we had two visitors, a father and son join us. We met them at our Flushing Prayer Station and they came speaking with little-no English. I had the privilege/challenge of sitting with them during our meal times and being stretched in conversational Chinese. I thank God that I am much more comfortable speaking Chinese than I used to be and for opportunities to serve despite my own limitations. Through the years God has taken me on a journey with accepting my ethnicity and I can victorious say that I no longer reject/despise it and thank God for it! (If you're wondering what's it been like, feel free to ask! I'd love to tell you!)

Mission Teams: Ohio in the house! As always it’s amazing to see people step out of their comfort zones and take the plunge with sharing their faith with total strangers. Some of my favorite quotes from the week: “I didn’t realize how much I had until I saw people who had less than me. [Referencing our homeless outreach]” “This week God showed me how much more I need to study His Word, I met people who had more knowledge of scriptures than I did.” “I prayed that God would help me step out of my comfort zone and He did that and much more.”

Sharing the Gospel: I’ve been so blessed with opportunities to tell the story of Jesus to people from various backgrounds and religions. Earlier in February   and in March I had the privilege to share with a women from China who was here on vacation and another man from Sheikh background. Below is a picture of me sharing how Jesus changed and transformed my life and how he longs for relationship with His creations during our Corona outreach.

Thanks again for making this happen! It’s through your prayers and support that is reaching those on the streets of New York City!

I Just Want a Cup of Soup

“Sir, what are you doing?” I approached a man who was trying to steal our broom from the truck.
“What do you mean?”
“That’s our broom” I replied.
“Oh, I just want a hot cup of soup, this is yours? Oh I’m sorry… why are you so nice to me?”
I slowly walked him over to our Mobile Resource Center, where we were serving soup. “What’s your name?” “Andy.” Confused why I was being so nice to him, he again asked me why I was there. This opened the door to a conversation where I explained how we were there to pray for people and show them God’s love. He smirked as I mentioned God and then began sharing how he knew God cares about him and has kept him on this earth even when he tried to kill himself. He shared how he had planned to jump onto the subway tracks but something kept him back, he knew that God was after his life. As he was sharing this, something inside of me got excited because I knew that Andy was the one I was to meet that night!

Our Truck on the Corner of 36th & 8th Ave

“Well, Andy… you want to know something? On our way here, we were praying for those we will meet… and my friend and I specifically felt that we were going to meet someone who was suicidal and needed hope. We prayed for you and God has us here on this corner to meet you.” Of course, this made Andy mad because he was trying hard to run away from God. Throughout the night, Andy shared little bits and pieces of his life story and would intersperse it with comments about how good our soup was or joke about how he wanted our broom so he could use it for drum sticks.

At one point, Andy let me pray with him about his anger because he feared he was going to hurt someone. This opened the door to another conversation as I felt God show me a picture of his childhood and something that he had gone through. I asked him about the picture and he confirmed that it was true and that when he would share it with others they did not believe him. Of course, at this point, I am amazed to see the length that God would go to show Andy how much He cares and began speaking truth over Andy. As I started sharing what I felt were “core lies” he had received from his childhood, you could see the struggle to believe it. Deep down Andy knew it was true but did not want to turn his back on those who caused him this pain. Our conversation eventually led elsewhere and after three cups of soup, Andy was ready to leave but right before he left we were able to give him a new pair of gloves and I encouraged Andy, letting him know how much God cares about him and that I will be praying.

Even though nothing visibly changed about Andy, I want to believe that he will remember this conversation and someday find healing in God’s relentless love. I am amazed to see the way God cares so deeply about someone and wants to share His heart with us. Please pray for Andy and the many others like Andy who we meet on the streets who are broken and hurting but running away from the One true source of Life.

View from the Truck: Me Sitting with Andy

Meeting Paula & Year In Review

Meeting Paula

“What’s that over there?” Paula asked as she saw something strange on the table. “Painters tape, would you like some?” I replied. “Yes! I was just starting to paint my apartment, this is perfect.” Paula came to our table looking for something warm for the winter months. That day, when she saw the tape, she thanked God for His perfect provision because she rarely comes to Tomkins Square Park. The tape opened up a conversation about the battles she’s had to keep her apartment and the legal issues with the landlord.

She shared her fears and struggles to find security in life. She opened up about her past and how she’s fought bitterness and unforgiveness due to abuse. As we continued talking, I shared some of my testimony and what’s happened since I’ve learned to forgive those who hurt me. I encouraged Paula that just like He continues to heal me, He wants to bring healing to her pain. She agreed and expressed a desire for that as well. Towards the end of our conversation, she thanked me for listening and was glad she could relate because of our pasts.

                As I look back on that encounter, I am humbled to see how an entire conversation began just because we provided something tangible.  I love seeing how God used my struggles and turned them into a testimony; it was an exciting start to being 26 (as we happened to go to TSP on my birthday). I thank God that He desires to set captives free and what He has done in my life. I look forward to many more opportunities to share His freedom with others.

Highlights & Updates from 2015

Having fun with some of our
Beautiful One Team

• Serving a team from South Africa and connecting with one of the ladies. During the final night debrief, we were praying and I felt led to share something very specific with her. Personally, it was scary because I didn’t want to share something out of line, but it was correct and we both saw the power of God in how He loves to speak to us! This really built my faith and desire to hear His voice more!
• Seeing the Beautiful One team grow and how God is pursuing the ladies we minister to. 
• One word: Freedom. The year began with moments of facing some tough challenges and being confronted with areas of growth. At times, it wasn’t easy but its lead me down this path of seeing God as the faithful one who never gives up or quits. In the midst of transition and uncertainty, He’s taught me that He is the one thing that matters. More than what I do or the ministry, it always has and always will be about Him. This bought much freedom, joy and hope to continue surrendering and laying down my life for His. I am committed to serving New York City for the long run. Now more than ever, I believe in the calling of my life for social work and missions and I will be serving with Street LIFE Ministries for the foreseeable future.
• Getting my license! Not many of you know this but it took me over two years and facing my fears to finally schedule a road test. Seems silly but after getting into a minor accident a few years ago, I was pretty shaken and hesitant to try. However after getting fed up of being afraid, I knew it was time to face my fears and I am thankful I did because I got my license on the first try (a huge testimony of God’s grace because you know hard it came be!)
• Being the Maid of Honor for my friend Mary Anna, who has been a co-worker, roommate, mentor and sister. I am thankful to be a part of her special day.

Thank you so much for making this another amazing year through your support & prayers!

Clarence Gets an ID!

As a social worker, one of my greatest joys is being able to connect someone with a resource that can help them transition off the streets. This process is different for everybody. Some people need a detox, some a job referral, and others an agency that will advocate for their housing needs. It’s just a matter of pointing people in the right direction.

I first met Clarence when he came to the Mobile Resource Center  looking for a job referral. He wanted to start taking the next steps in establishing a new life. He had been using drugs and living in a shelter for years, but recently he hit rock bottom  and that was when he surrendered his life to God. This is what gave him the strength to change and become serious about sobriety. One of Clarence’s immediate needs was getting an ID. He lost his while in the shelter and did not know how to get a new one. I set up an appointment for him at one of the nearby social service agencies.  Since our first conversation, Clarence has received his ID and continues to come by every so often to meet with us.

Since our first encounter, our conversations have been about him getting back on his
feet and getting around a good community. Since Clarence has some knowledge of the Bible and God, we've talked about his need to find a good church and be around other believers. He recognizes his need for a good support system and continues to thank God that he was lead to come to our truck. Please continue praying for Clarence, I know his heart is in the right place, but sometimes it takes years to let go. We're all on a journey and I am thankful that he's allowed us to be part of his walk to encourage him along the way towards freedom.

God's Provision!

Recent story from Tompkins Square Park:
"We had two nice pairs of pants on the clothing table that different ladies kept looking at, but they were not the right size. Later on after most of the clothing was given out, a lady came by looking for pants and they were exactly her size! She lit up when she saw them and immediately praised God for His perfect provision. Personally, it was a really sweet experience because I felt God had set them aside just for her! It amazes me to see how God cares about the 'little' and big details of our lives and cares so intimately about us!"

Ask Me for the Nations

“Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.” – Psalm 2:8

New York City is the "City of Nations". In our own backyard there are many who have never heard the Gospel. Here at Street LIFE Ministries it is our constant prayer that God would open up opportunities to share with people from different ethnic groups. During Worship Warfare Week, an elderly Chinese lady came up to the Prayer Station asking for a book of prayer. She shared that her grandson had been going to church after school and was coming home praying. She inquired why we ended our prayers with “Amen” and wanted to understand how to pray. Through my broken Chinese and Google translate, I was able to explain how prayer is our way of communicating to God and how as Christians we end our prayers with “amen” because it meant we're in agreement. I gave her a Gospel of John in Chinese and was able to point her to the prayer for salvation in front of the book, explaining that she could read the tract and if she wanted to she could pray that for herself. She thanked me for the explanation and shared how grateful she was to understand and be able to explain that to her grandson. Personally, I came away from that encounter encouraged, believing that God is hearing our prayers for the nations and giving them as our inheritance (Psalm 2:8).  Please continue praying that we would have more encounters like this!

Latest Update

Hello everyone!

Moore Park, Elmhurst

Hope this update finds you well. Today marks the beginning of an outreach that is as old as me (25 years in case you didn’t know my age), the annual outreach “Worship Warfare Week”. For those of you that do not know what it is, it’s a jammed packed week of worship and evangelism inside the parks of NYC. We bring dramas, prayer stations, children’s games and worship out on the streets into some of the most diverse neighborhoods. The amazing part is in each of the parks, we see different populations (homeless, immigrant families, childrens etc) and ethnic groups represented. It’s one of my favorite outreaches here and I am always excited to see how God moves! I also love being able to publicly worship and this year I’ll be playing a part in the drama. Please join me in prayer as I believe that we will see more fruit and God show up in ways we haven’t seen before! Pray for those we meet (especially the kids and families) and share the love of Jesus with them. If any of you are free and have some time, do come out! The dates & locations are listed on our website: http://streetlife.org/ww.html

In other exiting news… some of you have heard this already, a co-worker of mine Weslea, was recently healed after being bedridden for 7 months. She had a virus that she contracted from a mosquito in Haiti, in which doctors said there was no cure for… but of course we serve a God of miracles and He healed her just in time for the end of summer and this outreach! If you want to hear more, here is a video she posted of how it happened: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fse-NO8JCCU&feature=youtu.be Its testimonies like this that increases my faith to believe that God has more for me and this city!  

Also, at the end of this month I will be traveling to Florida for a few weeks to visit some friends and get some rest. I do not know what to expect other than knowing God specifically spoke not to work at the US Open this year and that I was to receive instead of working. Thanks again for reading this update! I hope you are well and praying God’s blessing for you as you keep pursuing Him!

In Christ,

Amy 

Uniquely Tailored

I love living in New York. I have to admit, I didn’t always. At least not knowing the value of why this city is such an amazing place. Yes it’s crowded, expensive and noisy. Yes, there never seems to be any break from the busyness and stimulation and yes even parts of it smell… but there is no place like it in the world. It didn’t hit me till a few years ago how blessed I was to grow up in the City of Nations. In a city of 8.4 million people, you have just about everyone from around the world here. I grew up in a school system where I had friends from African, Middle Eastern, Latin American, European and Asian descent, all sitting within the same classroom!  Some of my childhood best friends came from Columbia, China, Dominican Republic, Philippians and Jamaica – which was no big deal.  I was and am surrounded by people of ethnic descent.  Recently, it hit me again how amazing it is that I live here, serve and get to share with the love of Jesus to people from all over the world.

A week ago, while handing out clothes at Tompkins Square Park, I had what I would like to call a pretty "funny moment". Since I was in charge of the clothing table that day, I was helping the ladies that came up to look for things. That day, it was pretty quiet and so certain ladies hung around more. I took that as an opportunity to try to converse. Of course, while trying to talk, the lady only spoke Spanish. So, I took advantage of my limited Spanish (I took Spanish for 7 years school but never feel confident enough to try to speak it).  Then out of the blue, two more ladies come by the table, I hear one of them speak WenZhounese (my parent's native dialect) and the other Mandarin. Ironically, for some of you that know, I struggle to be confident in my Chinese speaking abilities but I spoke to them in both dialects of Chinese. So in the course of a few minutes, I was trying to converse in three different languages (all of which I am not fluent in but can understand/get by).  One of the Chinese ladies even asked if we were from the church. I found this encounter to be laughable (at least to me anyway) cause I so sense the delight of God over it.

This whole encounter caused me to realize one thing… I’ve been so blessed to have been exposed to so many cultures and languages, especially knowing that I have somewhat of an ability to communicate it.  God has uniquely tailored my life in such a way where cross culture evangelism is right in my door steps and I’ve grown up being exposed to so much. NYC is home to over 200 languages and being in the midst of so many people groups, means more opportunity. Once again, I stand in awe of God’s amazing grace in how He desire to make His name known among the Nations and choose to use us in the midst of it. Please pray for us as we continue to minister on the streets and especially for me to continue growing confident and being faithful with what He has given me.

Beautiful One Update - Melissa: I Want to Follow God

We came down the stairs to the small, dirty, basement massage parlor one Thursday night to find that all the ladies we knew there were no longer working there. Slightly disappointed to not be seeing our friends, I began to pray and ask the Lord what He wanted to do that night. One by one, all the ladies received a customer except a woman we'll call Melissa. We made small talk for a while, and then I told her that we were there not just because we love her but because God loves her. Her eyes opened wide, and she exclaimed, "You're here to tell me about God? Tell me the story from the very beginning!" She had heard the Gospel once before while she was visiting Shanghai, and God had been using the seeds sown at that point to stir some serious hunger in her. We spent over an hour with Melissa that night sharing testimonies from our lives and helping her further understand the Gospel.

Every time we would explain that God loves her personally and wants to do the same miracles in her life that He's done in ours, a huge smile appeared on her face and she got chills. God was touching her! At the end of the night we prayed for her, and she said, "I feel different, like lighter!" Then we invited her to the English classes we've been offering, and she said, "I'd love to learn more English but will the classes have enough time to discuss the Bible? I really want to learn more about the Bible!" Throughout our time with Melissa, we were blown away by her responses and her hunger for the things of God. That very night, she was on the verge of converting but was afraid of what her family, who are all Buddhist, would think of her decision. We lovingly explained that it is her choice, but to follow Jesus means to give up Buddha. She went to church the following Sunday, which happened to be Easter, with our translator. Just a few days ago, we received word that Melissa quit her job at the massage parlor because she wants to follow God!

She is taking real estate classes, and I cannot say enough how thrilled we are at what God is doing in her life! Please keep her in your prayers, and we'll keep you posted!

~Testimony written and copied from Mary Anna's (Beautiful One's Coordinator) newsletter~

Gifts and bookmarks for the ladies

Confessions of a Backslidder

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love, Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above” – Come Thou Fount Every Blessing

Recently, at church our worship leader shared the story of Robert Robinson, the man who penned the famous hymn "Come Thou Fount Every Blessing". He shared how Robinson wrote this song when he became a Christian at age 22 but in his later years walked away from the grace that he found. It wasn't until one day during his travels; a woman sitting by him moved by the words of the hymn quoted it and began sharing what an encouragement it was to her. Without knowing it, the woman was quoting the very words he wrote. The story doesn’t end there… in his sadden state, he tearfully replied "Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who composed that hymn, many years ago. And I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I then had!” What happens next amazes me… she replies: “Sir, the ‘streams of mercy’ are still flowing.”

Now why do I share this story? Because sometimes I feel the words quoted above are so true to what my relationship with Christ is like. So many times, especially when trials and temptations or even just life happens, my heart has been prone to wander and prone to leave the God I love. No matter the commitments, the desire and even zeal to do better, there’s no denying it happens.  I slip up and do something I don’t want to do (have a bad attitude, exchange some mean words, get upset, remain bitter, etc.) and the battle with my sinful flesh is real.  Like Paul, I do what I know I do not want to do and find myself in a battle (Roms 7). There are times when the very sheer act of will isn’t enough to stop it and I feel upset and want to walk away from it all (okay, maybe not that extreme). But when I do mess up and the feelings of shame, guilt and condemnation come, I wonder… is this worth it when I fall time and time again and feel like I’m not bringing honor and glory to God’s name?

Truth is… through this journey of faith, I have learned that God isn’t after what I do, or how I behave. He is after my heart to know Him. Like the women’s reply… God’s streams of mercy still flows, even when I wander, fail or mess up; even when I have fallen so far and if I chose to walk away, His pursuit of me isn’t going to stop or end. Truth is, I love Him because He loved me first (1 John 4:19). By the very act of God coming to dwell among us in human flesh (Immanuel), He has chosen to love us, lay down His life for us and live His resurrected life through us. That “Jesus, sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God, He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood” like Robinson, I find comfort in knowing that God hasn’t given up on me but seeks after me, and desires my heart to know His grace. His grace died for me when I was hostile to Him, His grace that rose Him from the grave and the love that lead Him to the cross is the same love that ever beckons my heart to worship Him.  The grace that doesn’t come from what I do but His unmerited favor, “for by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8).

Truth is… though I am prone to wander, prone to leave His side, God’s gift to us is that He doesn’t change and His love sought after, ran towards and embraces a sinner like me. That though I fall, and this battle feels like a never ending war sometimes, I take comfort in knowing that I have a Savior who is Victorious and isn’t willing to give up until He perfects the good work He started in me (Phil 1:6). That He doesn’t leave me when I wander, but brings me back home as the Good Shepherd that He is. Like in Robinson’s life, who came back into the fold, I trust there are many wanderers on the streets of NYC that need to know this truth. Truth is… it brings me HOPE knowing our Heavenly Father longs to embrace them like He does with me. 

Happy New Year to you all! 

Click here for SLM's Latest Newsletter 2014 Year in Review

Death While Homeless: Reminiscing Lost Friends

“When you die on the streets, the material part, whatever little there was, is held temporarily in a public place that is private. Then it is emptied onto an isolated island. It is entirely and absolutely gone. 

With nothing to ground them, the memories dissipate, growing larger and more diffuse, expanding into nothingness. Only friends hold them. The memories, everything that was you, dies when they die." 

I recently read this quote in Chris Arnades Photography series of the homeless at Hunts Point, Bronx. It was titled: “death while homeless”. I don’t know about you, but this made me sad. It bought back memories of friends whom we’ve lost through the years. I don’t want to be morbid, but it inspired me to reflect and remember friends that I’ve shared a soup or two with, laughed around our truck and had deep conversations about life. People we’ve prayed with, served together and seen at some of the worst and best times. Since we go to Tompkins Square Park every week, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to have such rich relationships. So for this update, I wanted to honor and share memories of friends who have gone on but are not forgotten. People who have mattered and made an impact on my life from Tompkins Square Park, I hope you will join me in celebrating their lives.

Maximo: dearly loved comedian. If I could see him one more time, I would ask him to sing and play his guitar. He loved indulging us with his sweet Spanish tunes and rich voice. He never failed to make me laugh and affectionately called me “Terminator #2” because we would encourage him to read the Bible. When I first met him, he told me he was a backslider and that he knew God wanted his life. He had a hard time giving up the pleasures of this world, but when he was around us, it drew him back to his childhood days of singing praise songs to God. Maximo died in 2012 of cancer. Although I never saw him during his last days, he kept in touch with us while he was in the hospital and some of our team visited him just before he passed. I had a lot of fun times with Maximo. He never let us forget that one day he ate four cups of soup and bragged about adding his own hot sauce. Maximo was a dear friend of mine and when he passed he left a void in my heart, the park was never the same again. I miss him.

Jewels: what can I say about Jewels? I cannot believe it’s been over a year since he’s been gone. We had many sweet and funny times together. I will never forget the first time I met you and we sat down by the park entrance on the ground. You were sharing how much you love to cook and that you went to school for it. We used to have many talks about the food you love to cook. Then there was that other time when you and I sat down and you wanted to read the book of Joel because it was your namesake. Other times, we had talks about your life on the streets and the poems you wrote. You were such a creative individual. Even that picture, you walked around in December with a black Santa hat and your cane. You never ceased to amaze me with your ability to express. Jewels, you were truly a gem out on those streets and I miss you my friend, wish I got to hear you perform "80 Proof Tears" again.

Shorty: no one had a temper like Shorty did. Yet deep down he was kind and looked out for those in the park, he even helped us at the clothing table a few times. I never really got to know Shorty except the few conversations we had about his military days. He died from some sort of medical complication due to his drinking (doctors told him to cut back but he never could). When he passed they had a little memorial at the park’s chess tables. No one really knew Shorty’s real name or if he had any family members but that didn’t matter. At the memorial they celebrated his life with memories and lit a cigarette for him, they were his family. Funny thing was, a few years after his passing, I met his next door neighbor and we exchanged stories. Shorty was the same no matter where he lived and his reputation preceded him.

This was where they found Liz's body

Liz: last time I saw her was in August during Worship Warfare Week. We talked about getting into a place to get her life straight. She was on heroine but wanted off. She hated what it had done to her. We talked for a while, laying out options for change but the urges kept getting stronger. Finally in a desperate attempt, she found someone she could stay with for the night. I tried to stop her, even got angry at the man but in the end it was her choice. Although it pained me to see her go, I could not do anything. She walked away, letting me know how thankful she was that I cared and assured me that I will see her again. That was the last time I saw her. We went on break and I came back to news of her death Sept 10, 2011. She died sleeping on the streets, cause of death: unknown. Liz died in her 50’s with not much known about her past. Although I didn't have many encounters with her, the little time I did have, I keep in my heart and remind myself how temporary life really is. Ironically, they found her body the same place where Grace (another lady we had ministered to earlier that year - picture below this post) passed away while freezing to death earlier that winter.

Carol giving Grace a coat. Winter 2011

Thanks so much for reading this... you guys are just as much part of the work we do on the streets! Thank you for the impact you've had on these individuals and many more. 

Little Acts of Kindness

Care Pack: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap
& shampoo

Recently on the streets, there was a lady that always comes asking for specific items in her “care pack”. Sometimes we have them and sometimes we don’t. That day we did. Usually I would give them to her and she would make her way somewhere else, but that day I felt I was to initiate more. Without thinking much about it, I gave her what she requested and started sharing how God was taking care of her because we don’t usually have these specific items and then proceeded ask her questions.

Now in the past whenever I would try, she would give me the silent treatment and then there would be an awkward tension. This time, after I said all that I felt compelled to grab her hand and said my name is Amy, what’s yours? I think my actions took her by surprise because she told me her name (which felt like a huge victory!) and we started to talk a little. I started sharing how thankful I was that she was here and also how God took care of her today cause she received the “hookup” (okay maybe not those exact words). This might not seem like much, but sometimes, when someone on the street repeatedly rejects your attempt at conversation, it’s easy to just give up. Even though we didn’t talk that much more, I was just thankful that God took care of Anna in such a specific way and how a simple gesture could show someone that they matter.

We see a lot of the same people on the streets, and I don’t ever want our job to just be someone who hands out clothing, food and toiletries. It is my hope that those who receive it also know they matter, even if it’s just something as simple as greeting a person by name when they come by. Whether we think about it or not, to know someone’s name is an important step in building trust and relationship. My prayer for Anna is that she will continue to open up instead of being one that keeps her distance.

Thank you so much for investing in the work that we do on the streets and the impact you guys have by reading and praying with us!

Giving out Apples to People on the Streets

Praise Report!

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to share this brief praise report/update over the story I shared last month.

Some of you might recall, I posted a story from our Corona outreach (I Cannot Believe You Guys are Here Today), and I am happy to report a quick update about what's happened to Edison since then. Last week I called his daughter to follow up and found out he is still there and doing very well! She shared how he's been singing at different churches on weekends and redeeming the gift that God gave him as he used to sing professionally. Please keep praying for his progress. We are so thankful to God for this timely encounter and the work that He is doing in Edison's life right now. PRAISE GOD!

Also, just wanted to ask if you can join us in prayer for our end of summer outreach: Worship Warfare Week August 11-17. We will be ministering at different parks in NYC, bringing worship and prayer to those in the community and also hanging out with children inside the parks. Please keep us in prayer as this is a pretty big week and this year we will be doing bible studies and games with the kids (something totally new!). I am super excited to see where God takes this, as most of the kids in the parks have never heard of the name of Jesus before and this will be an exciting opportunity to love on them!

Thank you so much for your partnership in prayer & finances! It has been an amazing summer and looking forward to sharing some more in the next update.  We go on break after August 18th and this year during that time (a little under 3 weeks) I will be working the US Open again (as a supervisor!!). I am looking forward to it as last year I learned a lot about myself and met some amazing people. It was a humbling experiencing knowing the things I've learned in ministry have formed skills, character and a leadership I never knew I had. I am sure this year will be even more challenging and stretching as I will be leading others.

Thanks again for everything!

Love,
Amy

“I cannot believe you guys are here today…” - Corona Outreach

For years, David Van Fleet, director of Street LIFE Ministries has had a vision to go into Corona, Queens, (a predominately Hispanic community) with our Mobile Resource Center. Recently this month we had the opportunity to go twice on a Saturday. With the help of my friend Ana Maria, some team members and Nicole (a girl on staff who studied Spanish in school), we spent the morning getting to know people, listening to their needs, praying and serving soup, juice and bagels. Since Corona is neighborhood with a lot of need, I was chosen to go as the social worker. Personally, it was a humbling experience since my Spanish is limited and I wasn't sure of what it would be like to do outreach there. However, God shows up despite my limitations!

Our team praying for Edison

Two Saturdays ago, a woman came up to our truck crying, asking for referrals to a detox. She explained that her father was an alcoholic and he was hitting rock bottom, but because she did not have funds and there were no beds available at the city hospitals she was desperate to get him help. Furthermore, she explained how she was just walking to the nearest hospital to check if they had beds but saw our truck and could not believe that God would bring us here at her exact time of need. At that point, Ana Maria began sharing the testimony of her father being a former alcoholic and how God healed him and restored their family. She began crying and shared how her father was a Christian, fell away but knows only God can save him. However, she did not know of any Christian places that could help him since he spoke only Spanish. As our team was talking with her, I began making phone calls and got her father connected to a Spanish speaking Christian rehab. That day, we were able to give her the details for this place and prayed that her father would follow through this decision. She thanked us and said she was going to keep us updated with his progress since he still needed to go detox.

A few days later, I called to see how she was doing, and she related the following: she was able to go straight to the rehab with her father and it worked out that he did not have to go to detox! This was such an answered prayer for her, since she was not sure how she was going to pay for detox. She also shared that she hasn’t heard from him, which meant he was still there. PRAISE GOD! I love how God knows what exactly we need and how He meets us in the place of desperation! Even for me, I was incredibly encouraged knowing how SPECIFIC this need was and how much He cares/loves us to do it! Please keep Edison and his family in your prayers as this is just the beginning for them.

Beautiful One Highlights & Summer Outreach

Hello everyone!

Summer outreach has begun for us here at Street LIFE Ministries and I am excited to report we have our first short term mission team from Ohio! I look forward to seeing what will happen throughout this week & summer, as one of the most fulfilling things about summer outreach is watching those who come here to the city catch a vision and glimpse of God’s heart for people & this city! Take for example, this week’s team leader, a former student who came two years ago and felt the burden to come back to NYC and lead a team from her hometown. It’s always amazing for me to see how the seed that we sow, casts vision and produces fuel for a greater fire and passion for the Great Commission. Not only is she back for a second time around, but leading others to experience this for themselves. I’m so thankful for opportunities to take people who’ve never done missions and bring them closer to God’s heart for people and the Nations!

In other news, I have attached the link to my latest newsletter with updates from our Beautiful One outreach to women in the sex industry. We recently celebrated the One Year birthday of this outreach and in the newsletter, I include highlights from this past year.

Once again thank you for reading this, your prayers & support! You guys are amazing!

Amy's Adventures: May 2014 Beautiful One Update

Beautiful One Celebrates One Year

Hi everyone!

Check out my latest video with updates from Beautiful One and also, I have attached my co-worker Mary Anna's update. I thought she did an excellent job sharing some of the details I missed, so I asked her permission to share it.

A Visit from our Brazillian Friends
~ Mary Anna's Update

Greetings dear friends! For those of you I saw last week, it was a great pleasure to catch up with you! As always, my time in the mountains was tremendously refreshing. Also, I would like to give a special shoutout to the new members of my mailing list! Thanks for signing on! Please enjoy reading the following update from Beautiful One, our outreach to women in the sex industry.

As I sat there watching one of our friends from the massage parlor get baptized on Easter Sunday, my thoughts went to something the Brazilian missionaries we work with each year told us regarding their outreach to the local red-light district. They visited the brothels for five years before they really developed any relationships with the women or had any of them reach out for more help. Five years! Today they have banquets, birthday parties, and receive regular requests for help. Many women have been converted and have left work at the brothels. When preaching at a recent missions conference, one of the missionaries watched a woman in the congregation weep as he spoke of their work in the red-light district. At the end of the service, an altar call was given for anyone who would like to give their lives to missions. She hurried to the front to dedicate herself to the Lord, and after they prayed she excitedly told him that she was one of the women they had befriended in the brothels!

Only a few days before the baptism, we were enjoying a visit from the missionaries we work with in Brazil who so inspired us to start Beautiful One, our outreach to women in the sex industry in New York City. We tearfully traded stories and offered gratitude, encouraging them that the work they are doing in Brazil has multiplied to NYC. They thanked us for our love for the women in the Brazilian brothels and shared how they often ask when we’ll be coming again. I’m not sure I can recall ever having a more beautiful Kingdom conversation, and I don’t doubt eternity will be filled with such glorious exchanges. After her baptism, we went out to lunch with our friend and she repeatedly thanked us for our friendship, saying that if it weren’t for us, she wouldn’t have any friends in America. We are nearing Beautiful One’s first birthday, and my heart is amazed at the favor God has given us to so quickly earn trust and build relationship with some of the women.

Thank you for your prayers and support! You are on this journey with us, and what a wonderful ride it has been thus far! I can hardly wait to see what the coming year has in store!

Beautiful One & Lessons from a Drunk Man

Hi all!!

Spring is here and I am excited to report to you that we did our first Beautiful One outreach to the Strip Clubs on March 20^th! I cannot begin to express the joy our team felt when we were allowed into all three of the clubs we've been praying for and individually gave the roses to the ladies. We also made home-baked cookies for the bouncers & managers and had much favor with them! I just want to thank you all for your prayers and for making this happen. I’ll write more in my next newsletter but just wanted to share this quick update, in case you haven't heard!

Flushing Prayer Station

Last Saturday morning, a drunk man approached our team screaming in Chinese and gesturing to a book.  When I asked him what was going on, he kept saying, “I had this big book, I want it, and you guys gave me one last time.” Uncertain what he was referring to, I pointed to the Gospel of Johns in Chinese and he said no, it was bigger. He was upset because he lost it and wanted another one. Something inside of him wanted a Bible, even though he never read his previous one. As conversation continued, I began asking questions about his life and family, which he would share some and then randomly scream at people passing by. I felt God urging me to sit with him and try to calm him down when he would get disruptive. I felt the patience of God to stay and just hang out with him. Throughout that time, Mr Wen shared how the mother of his child left him and he was never allowed to see his son again but then would tell me “once you get me that Bible I will tell you more” (unfortunately I didn’t have a Chinese Bible on me and promised him one for next time). He also kept apologizing as if he did something wrong against me and when I would ask why, his response was, “I don’t know, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” If only you could see the look on his face, one I've seen in too many addicts, they were feelings of shame, guilt, anger, and hopelessness, mixed with I'm a failure. Although I couldn't share much with Mr Wen (due to my limited Chinese), I felt my assignment that day was to just listen and pray. Even when our conversation ended and he walked away, Mr Wen kept finding his way back to the Prayer Station.

Mr Wen with our Team

As I reflect back on this encounter, I realized a few things… sometimes although you might not feel very “successful” in sharing, what matters is just your presence and obedience to God's leading. Mr Wen needed someone to listen and acknowledge him. What saddens me most wasn't seeing him in his drunken state, but the looks that people had as they passed him by. You could tell, he felt as worthless as they deemed him to be. It’s sad and I am guilty of this too, but we often look at things in the natural and judge pretty quickly if it’s worth our time. Meanwhile God is calling us to see people in His eyes and just sit, hang out with the one, even if it doesn't feel beneficial or convenient. He longs to use us to be His hands and feet and be His listening ear to those who are hurting, broken and poor. You see, something inside of Mr Wen knew he needed a Bible, I can’t tell you why or understand his reasoning, but deep down I think Mr Wen knows he needs something greater than himself to save him.  I look forward to my next encounter with him, not sure when or if it will ever happen but until then I’ll keep praying for him and hope that you will too.

Thank you so much for reading this update!