A few of us (Matt, Max, Trevor, Jake, MacKenzie, Tara, Tamara and yours truely) were up at 5 and preparing breakfast for guests by 6:30 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church. There is a picture below of the early crew waiting for the train to get us to our destination which was the same church where we worshipped on Sunday evening. It was transformed into a place where, every Tuesday, up to 200 people from the working poor to the homeless are served enough food for breakfast that they take with them a "to go" container with the leftovers for the rest of their day! We all were blessed by this experience, as you can see from the smiles on the faces of the pictures below!
While it was an early start for this group, we were able to get back to Seafarers by 10 am and then head out to explore China Town at 11. We ate in a restaurant that was recommended by the Pastor at Seafarers - Pastor Marsh - and there were a few adventurers among us! Max was determined to have something he "couldn't get at Panda" (His words)... so he ordered.... wait for it.... sea cucumber and yellow fish soup! There is a picture below - he described his lunch as "more like jelly than soup!." Okay then. Jake had the same goal, but settled for fried pork buns instead!
A second group (Josh, Allison M., Allison S. Kelsey, Kalley, Jay and Amy) traveled again to Trinity Lower East Side where they served lunch and helped in the food pantry. Tamara reflects on her experience at this same location from Monday:
The warm feeling of an expected hug. Yesterday, while serving others at Trinity Lower East Side, we met a kind and very appreciative mother of three. She ended our encounter at this work site with the familiar expression of kindness and compassion ... a hug. This mother fully appreciated all around her and encouraged her young to pick and choose only those items that they would enjoy eating and would not waste while participating in the food pantry. "We will be eating all that you choose from this food shelf today, so choose wisely!"
To quote a familiar ad.... "Feeling God's blessing thru another ... priceless."
Excellent words, Tamara! It has been a priceless blessing to experience God's love through the gratitude and warm welcome of others!
A third group (Mara, Sarah, Austin, Katie, Rachel, Bart and Jay) served over 1,100 meals at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen (check them out at http://www.holyapostlessoupkitchen.org/) As you can see by the hard work and the smiles on their faces, they were also blessed by their experience. Be sure to ask your students about these sites when they get home - each one will have a story!
So, by 2:30, everyone was back at SeaFarers and ready to go on our Faithwalk tour of the World Trade Center site. We were moved by the many stories of miracles and service. This chapel, literally across the street from the World Trade Centers North Tower, is the oldest, continually worshipping community in the United States. It was George Washington's home congregation! The building hasn't changed since he sat in his reserved seat AND YET, not a single pane of glass was broken in that chapel on 9/11 - as 110 stories of concrete came crashing down! Much newer buildings all around - and blocks away - were damaged or destroyed, but not this particular house of God! Because of its location and the congregation's 300 year legacy of serving, it quickly became the site of relief work. Check out the National Geographic story about this amazing place!
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0209/st_pauls/online_extra.html
Then we were off to the 9/11 Memorial Museum https://www.911memorial.org/visit-911-memorial-museum-0
To say we were moved is an understatement. I'm not going to say much about this experience, except to say that our students - and adults - came away with a much clearer understanding of the ongoing pain of this horrific day in the lives of New Yorkers - and all of us!
ON THE WAY to the museum, we ran into - who we thought was - Mayor Rudy Giuliani. At the end our tour we were asking Pastor LIsa (our personal tour guide) how she knew the former Mayor and she had no idea what we were talking about! You see, she never introduced him - and, as you can see from the picture below - he certainly LOOKED like Mayor Giuliani!
Turns out is was Rudy's close friend - and 9/11 advocate - Lee Ilepi. Regardless, Mr Ilepi is a leader in keeping the memory of those who died (including his son) alive. He has challenged us to advocate for a curriculum in Minnesota to teach the truth about this day!
We were engaged in this activity from 3:30 - 8 pm... that is a long time! We were pooped and hungry. (Ask Trevor if it was long enough!) SO... we ventured to Little Italy and found a wonderful restuarant where we could all have dinner. Such a fun night!
Now - it's 8 am and I'm off to meet with my group so that today can begin!
Peace and joy!
Pastor Janine