We’re blessed in this city…

Fall decided to prolong its stay this year and surprise Niagara Falls with 55+ degree weather mid-November. Evangelist Booze of the Potter’s House was quick to point out, “It’s NEVER this warm now.” Nonetheless, the sun shone, the clouds were non-existent and all of Niagara was out to greet the strange burst of warm weather sans winter jackets. The Falls themselves seemed to bask in the glory of the weather and treated visitors with a giant rainbow. The view from Goat Island, where we spend our Monday evenings, was astounding.

Blessings were the theme of Niagara Falls during my time there. During Bible Study at the Potter’s House a member of the congregation shared a testimony of God’s blessing. He told everyone about his eighth birthday and his desperate desire for a skateboard. It didn’t appear that morning and headstrong he created a make-shift skateboard out of his sister’s roller skate and a piece of wood, then proceeded to nearly kill himself while traversing the town. With skinned knees, sore elbows and a few bruises to boot he returned home to find a brand-new skateboard lying across his bed. “Had I just waited,” he told everyone, “I’d have gotten that blessing without all the mess.” He proceeded to challenge the congregation that often times we do not always see the blessings God has in store for us at the moment. Instead we barrel along trying to make things work and only wind up creating a bigger mess then if we’d waited to see God reveal the blessing in his own timing.

Our friends in Niagara continue to be blessed by God’s faithfulness. Project Angel Shoes, who we spend the summer helping prepare shoes for shipment to Africa, is gearing up for deliveries of over 20,000 shoes for the holiday season. Community Mission is busy preparing for the holidays and already dreaming up projects our volunteers can help with this summer. Though the building of Hannah’s House has been condemned in Niagara the ministry is opening a new location in Warren, PA where they will continue to bless people. Elder V continues to serve the seniors each day and play games with them. Her Youthworks art of the summer is proudly displayed and Christmas card writing was about to commence just days after my visit. Niagara COPC shared photos of the hard work our groups had done in the gardens and they plan for even more successful community gardens this coming summer.

A further testimony to God’s blessing is two pastors I was able to meet at the Falls who traveling between conventions they stopped to imbibe the beauty that is the Falls. They were able to share about their own ministries as well as hear about the work Youthworks is doing across the US. We all left our chance meeting having encouraged one another of the testimonies of God’s tremendous work. They were blown away as they listened to some of the stories of junior and senior high students giving up a week of their summer to spend time serving in other communities and drawing closer to God.

- Lauren

 

Almost summer in Queens…

Our home at 1^st Presbyterian continues to be a refuge in the middle of the bustle that is Jamaica Center.  Just half a block away, peace covers our housing site and somehow transports visitors to what feels like a different era.  Even in the midst of a particularly busy afternoon and a big baseball game, the church remained tranquil. 

Inside big changes continue to take place as Mr. Ali supervises new floors in the gym area and flooring is removed from the stage to replace the beveled lanes in the bowling alley.  The youth group looks forward to seeing their room restored to its prime function of fun. Members of the youth group are already looking forward to Wednesday night services this summer and Aqueelah anticipates even more youth-led facets of those wonderful times.  The church, she tells me, is gearing up for Youthworks return and looking forward to making our groups this summer a part of the family.

Our service sites have a hard time thinking about summer when there are holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas to get through first.  Lists of activities in our many senior centers were crowding out the calendar and activities directors like Jumi are barraged with event planning.  Thankfully, the seniors will be well-rested from those come June and ready for the excitement our participants bring.  The Salvation Army, like all, prepares for the busy season and looks forward to a lot of extra helping hands. The church where we have Kids Club is also busy running food drives and helping the community get ready for the holidays.

All in all, Queens might not be ready for the summer quite yet—but with each person I met the same mantra prevailed: “As soon as Christmas is over it’s gonna be time for those Youthworks kids to get here!”

-Lauren

 

Rolling Hills, Colorful Leaves, and M.A.M.A…

I recently had the pleasure of exploring the beauty of a Pennsylvania fall. Driving north from Philly towards our friends in Mahanoy City allowed me to take in the beautiful colors that the fall offers in the northeast. Driving through the rolling hills offered me endless views of colorful landscape. I spent one afternoon at a local lake that we go to for an evening activity and took in the picturesque scene that it had to offer as well.

As much as the landscape offered a beautiful scene to behold, I was more taken by the beauty of the people of this community. I had wonderful conversations with so many different ministries that we have the pleasure of partnering with. Each of them offering encouragement and thanking me for all that we’ve done.

One of my favorite times spent in this quaint little coal town was with my friends at M.A.M.A. The Mahanoy Area Ministerial Association is a gathering of the local pastors of the community of Mahanoy City. They do a myriad of things; supporting a local community youth group, helping put on a Christmas festival, supporting local food banks, and a few other projects. It was great to be able to hear their perspective on the community and how what we are doing is a benefit. Phyllis, the M.A.M.A. secretary, is still raving about the paint job that YouthWorks did for her. Tom is still the town do it everything man, helping me to find a new storage location for paint as well as letting me in to a few buildings. Pastor Chris is still getting settled in to his new community and congregation but is incredibly supportive and helpful! Pastor Bob and I shared lunch where we talked a lot about cycling and triathlons, things that he was very involved in. It was great to share those aspirations with one another in addition to all the wonderful things he had to say about the staff from the summer.

Everywhere I walked in town I was met by a friendly face. The people here are very warm and welcoming and it was a joy to spend a few days in such a wonderful atmosphere. If you’re not busy come on down Thanksgiving weekend for the community Christmas festival on Saturday! I hope to see all my new friends again soon!!!

~Bryan, AD