Epidemic

Hi Friends,
As you might imagine, the Swine Flu has everyone a little panicked. I don't even have time to watch TV, but that doesn't matter. I still hear about it everyday. Many parents are keeping their children at home, various schools are closed down, and paranoia is overtaking the streets.
"I feel pretty bad, Michelle," one of my teenage workers told me over the phone. "I think it's the 'Swine', but the doctors didn't test me yet." They didn't test her because the multitudes are treking.

"You're ing

their way to the hospital demanding Swine Flu testing. The smallest headache, fever, or nausea produces hysteria.
probably fine. If the doctors think you're OK, then just rest," I replied.
Nonetheless, sickness is creeping into our ministry as well. It's not the Swine Flu, but four of our interns were rushed to the hospital in the past three days. Symptoms ranged from seizures, high temperatures, and one girl wasn't even able to wake up. We had one of our lowest interns and staff attendance this past week, as several stayed home to rest. I was one of them. Don't worry--I stayed home this past Thursday because of a severe cold. In fact, the combination of allergies and the cold produced asthma symptoms, making it hard to breathe. But I feel much better today.
In church this morning, we prayed for the sickness spreading in our ministry. We also prayed for our community members who are sick with the flu, as well as the ones who are plagued with paranoia. Both can be devastating. Please join me in praying for healing over Metro Ministries and New York City.
Please remember that our staff of 150 people work with over 20,000 kids per week. It's a little scary to think of how many germs we come in contact with. However, I know that God is more powerful than any epidemic. And if God is with us, who can be against us?

Half Way There

Hi Friends,
I can't believe the semester is half over. Yesterday marked the end of our 6th week! As many of you know, this semester has been extremely challenging. However, I just wanted to share some praises from the past few weeks.
Today, two new families from my site came to church. This was so amazing because I've been praying for more people to come on Sundays. I know that when adults become passionate Christians, their children often follow. Anyways, I've been inviting this one mom to come to church for a year. She always politely refused...but today, she came with her two kids! Praise God! The other new family used to come to church last year, but then they stopped coming (the mom broke up with her boyfriend and had a lot of personal problems.) I've been inviting her to church every week for the past few months, and guess who showed up today? Her, her two daughters, and her boyfriend. This is the first time her boyfriend has ever come to church, and it's one of the first times our church bus has picked up a man (most church members are single moms.) My prayer is that this man will become a radical Christian who will be the head of a godly household.
Some of you have also been praying for my worker, Sarah. Sarah's journey has been been tough this semester. At the beginning of the semester, she was in the mental hospital. She's being treated for bipolar disorder and is currently on some strong medication. When she's medicated, Sarah is tired, but calm. When she's not on the medication, Sarah is suicidal, irrational, and physically aggressive. Several times, I've called Sarah's mom to warn her of suicide threats. Each time, Sarah says, "You can pray, but it won't work. You're just wasting your time."
Fortunately, Sarah has recently become more hungry for God. This past month, she and I have done small Bible studies and she's been coming to church. She has lived so long in the darkness, and she wants to get out. However, she still needs to realize the power of the spiritual world. She still needs to learn to cry out to God when she is overwhelmed. But I'm still encouraged. She is getting thirsty for a true, life-changing experience with God. Please pray with me that the bonds of darkness will be broken.
That's not all. Another praise is that my teenage workers are growing in number. This past semester, I've had two or three that would help me on visitation and on site (during the program.) Last Friday, I had eight kids with me! Many of these young teens have so much potential, and they've never seen Christianity up close. I'm so excited that I have the opportunity to invest in their lives. I pray that our time spent on visitation and studying God's Word would change them. My dream is that they would live in holiness--that they would read the Bible daily, pray, intercede, and avoid Satan's pitfalls like premarital sex, drug abuse, etc. Please join me on your knees.
In closing, God is moving. In spite of our small team, the increased work load, and other stresses, God is still changing lives. Thank you for joining me in prayer. Battles of life and death are waged on our knees.

Pictures

Hi Friends,

I just wanted to post a few pictures from the past few weeks. Hopefully they will give you a flavor of Sidewalk Sunday School. Enjoy!

This is from the circus. Someone donated tickets to a circus held in Madison Square Garden. These kids are from a family we drive to church on Sundays.

Sidewalk Sunday School! This is Easter week. At this moment,

I'm teaching about Jesus' death and resurrection.

Thanks so much for your prayers and support! You are making a difference in kids' lives.