November: Sandy Update #3

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are well and your holiday season spent enjoying family and friends. As we gear up for the winter season, it’s been a busy time of outreach here at Street LIFE Ministries. As some of you might know, ever since Superstorm Sandy, life is New York has never been the same. Over the past month, we’ve been going out to streets in the neighborhoods affected by the storm and doing what we can to meet the needs of the people in the community. As generous donations of cleaning supplies, blankets, coats, food etc. come in from all over; God has also opened the door for us to directly place them into the hands of those we meet. Earlier today, a few coworkers and I spent several hours going door to door surveying the needs of people in their homes. Our desire is to continue following up and doing what we can to provide and connect them with resources.

Personally this has been a real bittersweet time as I realize how much need there is among the victims of this storm. My heart goes out to those affected who are still without electricity and heat, living in their mold-infested homes.

It’s truly humbling and amazing time to see the connections and relationships formed throughout this time. Two weeks ago, I met a Chinese lady with 6 month old boy whose first floor flooded and she had no family is US to stay with. In addition to that, her husband was working a lot and she did not speak much English. Since she lives in a neighborhood which was predominately Hispanic and African American, she felt extremely lonely and had no idea about the resources provided. Since then, I’ve visited her house several times and was able to give her some food and other things she’s needed.

Beyond the physical provisions, I know that God bought her into my life to show just how much He cares about her and her family. It’s so mind-blowing for me to think that God cares that much about her to send another Chinese speaking person to her, just to show it. The other day she shared how grateful she was to have another friend. Wow. The crazy part of it all is: I feel so insecure in my ability to speak/understand Chinese yet God still uses it. (Below I’ve attached a photo of her & her son Kevin).

It’s stories like her and Sylvia (story posted below) that I am so grateful to God that He allows me to be a part of showing His love and care to His children. I know I would not be here doing this if it wasn’t for what God has done in my own life.

Anyway, thank you so much for your prayers and support. For more updates check out my blog and latest Street LIFE Newsletter

Much Love,
Amy Wong

Hurricane Sandy Relief Update #2

Great day out on the streets at Far Rockaway… I love going to serve the people there. It's been quite the journey hearing people's stories of how the storm has affected them and seeing how God is helping us build relationships in the neighborhood. Last week the Lord connected us with Sylvia, who is pregnant and has a small daughter. Her house was one of the many that the water level was over 4 feet on her first floor. She related to us that she has not been able to clean her house because of her health. It was the perfect timing as we knew we had a team coming this weekend from West Virginia & Michigan to do cleanup/demo work. We connect them to her and immediately they started working to clean her house (and others in the neighborhood). It was amazing seeing them hard at work and being the “hands and feet of Jesus.”

Today I spoke with her and she thanked us continually and was so touched by how God directed her to us and how much He loves her. At one point, tears welled up in her eyes as she shared “I thought I had a close relationship with God, but this, what you guys did for me, I feel it, I feel His love for me and my family.”

Please continue to pray for her, this is just the beginning for her and many others. Though their houses might be cleaned from all the storm damaged items, there is still a lot more construction/rebuilding to restore their house back to normal. In addition to that, they are still without power & heat, so as you can imagine, these cold winter nights are brutal.

picture is her, her husband and daughter

Hurricane Sandy Updates

Since the hurricane, Street LIFE has increased the number of days we go out on the streets to 3-4 times a week in order to meet the need in this hour. This has been a major change in our staff schedule but God is giving us the grace to press on as we minister to those affected by the storm.

Humbled by Generosity
A few weeks ago, we were driving around the Far Rockaway neighborhood looking for people who were cleaning their houses so we could bless them with some soup and hot chocolate. A man walking out of his house with piles of garbage on his front yard, came up to our truck, grabbed some hot chocolate and asked for our information. Immediately he related to us, I want to send you guys a donation for the work you are doing. He said, "when this is all over, I want to give" and he thanked us and walked away.

His words bought me to tears as I sat there reflecting his kind gesture. I couldn't help but be amazed how despite this man having to throw out so many of his damaged possessions, he still thought about giving. His thoughtfulness taught me a lesson on generosity and reminded me that despite our circumstances, we give even when we feel we cannot give anymore or given enough.

some of the garbage piled outside people's homes

volunteer enjoying some hot chocolate

handing out some clothes

Naresh: My Friend

Naresh and I talking

“God loves me?... that’s the first time I’ve heard someone say that to me.” Those were the words of Naresh two weeks ago; though we have said it many times, finally he was hearing it. For years Mary Anna and I’ve been praying and encouraging him that God could set him free and had a purpose for his life. At a young age Naresh started drinking and his addiction has left him on the streets, estranged from his family. Since we met him in 2008, we've helped him get into detox several times. He usually finishes his detox but just returns to the streets. In 2010, after a year of not seeing him, he showed up to Tompkins Square Park completely sober, joyfully sharing with us how his family had taken him in, he had been clean for a year, and was working a full time job! However, in 2011 he started drinking again, and his family once again disowned him. Every week, Mary Anna and I would continue to tell him how much we care and were praying for him. His usual response would be “no you are lying – stop lying to me.” Though Naresh continues to feel doubt and shame, we continue to love and be there for him.

Two weeks ago, he came up to the truck asking to go to detox again, saying that when he took a drink the day before, he started coughing up blood. This shook him to the core and he realized it was time to stop before he died on the streets. He expressed a desire to go into a long term facility and quit for good. I placed the phone call, got him in, and waited for a pick up. Throughout that time, I kept encouraging and sharing that we will be praying. At one point, in order to prove it to him, I stood there and prayed for him (which was huge because usually he doesn’t let me).Afterward I began to share the Gospel and what it’s meant in my life. He listened intently. As I spoke of God’s love and purpose for him, he looked at me and stated he’s never heard that before. I encouraged him to ask Jesus to reveal Himself while in detox, and he agreed to try even though he grew up in Hinduism. For the first time Naresh seemed to grasp these truths for himself. I gave him the “Father’s Love Letter” and we waited together for his ride to the detox.

Since that encounter I’ve learned that he has been sent to a rehab facility upstate. Please continue praying for him as this a critical time in his life. Pray that he will continue to follow through with his decision to get help and that God will reveal Himself to Naresh. Thanks so much for your prayers!!!

Worship Warfare Week & Sept Update

Happy autumn! I hope things are going well for you. Here at Street LIFE we are excited for this new season as recently three interns joined our staff.

For this month’s update, I put together a slideshow of pictures from this year’s Worship Warfare Week. In it you see pictures of the drama, the worship & dance team and ministry to the people at the different parks. It is 6 minutes long, but you don’t have to watch the whole to get a feel of what the week is like.



Also, if you are free this Saturday from 9-5pm, Mary Anna and I will be at Queens Herald Church for their Joint Missions Day. We will be hosting a booth representing SLM. Feel free to join us as they will be doing workshops on topics such as marketplace missions, the role of student missions and other mission’s related focuses.

For more information: http://www.uscca.org/images/stories/media/pdf/2012/cca_jmd_english_2012_workshop_background.pdf

Contact me if you are interested & need directions to the church. Thank you all for reading this update! God bless and hope you have a great day.

-Amy

You Came at a Perfect Time!

Dear Friends,

It’s been an amazing summer thus far. I know I just sent an update a few weeks ago, but I wanted to share another exciting update on what God has been doing here at SLM.

My heart is so full, as recently God released Mary Anna and I to start an outreach to prostitutes. For years we’ve been praying for something like this but did not know what it will look like. This past spring we realized now is the time and decided we would team up with another ministry that’s been doing outreach to these women.

Below I’ve forwarded an email Mary Anna wrote sharing our experiences during outreach this past week:

Last Thursday night we teamed up with another ministry who has been doing outreach to these women for many years.   We are planning to come alongside them for a season and learn all we can, as we seek God about how He wants this to look for us.  We traveled to Paterson, NJ, a short drive from NYC, and had a glorious evening of loving on and ministering to women in an impoverished neighborhood where many of them walk the streets.  They were so hungry for His love and acceptance.  It was such a blessing to bring His light into the darkness, and there it shone so brightly.

Please click the following link to hear a 5-minute testimony from our time there, of a woman named Elisa who told us, "You came and found me at the perfect time."  Yes!  That is exactly what our God loves to do.  Here it is...

Much much love to you!
Mary Anna

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Thanks so much for reading this! Also if you are free, like she mentioned in the video, Worship Warfare Week is here and we will be ministering with worship, dramas and evangelism in the different parks of NYC. For more info and if you have time to come to the parks check it out:  www.streetlife.org/ww.html

We will be out every day from 2-8pm and I would love to see you there if possible! If not, please pray for us and for God to meet the hearts of many on the streets. God bless you guys!

Love,

Amy

Meet Charles

Me talking to Charles

Recently homeless and a full time student, Charles came to us looking for some help.  After doing the assessment, he started sharing some of his life goals and aspirations. He shared how he wanted to be Physician Assistant and enlist in the Army. Naturally since I just graduated college, we connected by talking about our academic careers. Our exchange was pretty casual, but our conversation quickly turned when he told me that he’s battled an addiction to alcoholism and had 6 years sobriety that is, until a few days ago when he became homeless. I was surprise to hear this because on the outside he looked calm, had a well put together composure and seem to have it under control. Although he did not want to go into details, I was able to refer him to some places for help. In the end, he let me pray with him. It was then he started breaking down as I prayed for God to provide for him and for freedom for his alcoholism. After that, he walked off with tears in his eyes. I tried to go after him but he was quick to say no. So I did not pursue it.

I don’t quite understand everything about this encounter, but I could only imagine the emotional struggles he’s been through those past couple of days. Maybe he was crying because of the guilt he felt for finding himself in this situation. Or maybe this was the first time he’s had to cry since it all happened. All I know is, that day he was able to release some of his pain. My prayer is that God will continue to bring people his way to show Charles that He cares. It’s hard being homeless on these streets and like Charles, you can fall a victim to the drugs and alcohol in order to numb the pain. Although he walked off, the reality is I know God brought him across our path for a reason and there are many like him that need support & to know that they are not alone in their struggles.

Thank you for reading this. I pray that this ministers to you and opens your eyes to the lost and hurting around you.

In Christ,

Amy