They have arrived!

Just a quick update….

The students arrived Tuesday. It was HOT (even for a South Carolina girl) but otherwise things went well. I am looking forward to getting to know them all – still working on the names and such.

Yesterday we turned them loose to familiarize themselves with the city and navigating it and then met up with them at the Rockefeller Center to get a bit of an aerial view of the city. And then the arts track scattered to eat (we can’t often dine out together because there are just too many of us).

Tiffany and I went with a small group to Chinatown (where I tried a dish with steamed frog and as my Grandpa Ray would say – I’ve had that) before making our way back to the dorms.

This morning we had the extraordinary privilege of have Reverend Peter DeArruda (one of the facilitators of NYSUM where we are residing) giving us a brief overview of the history and mission of what they are doing. It was such a great perspective adjustment – especially now as we feel as cramped as ever.

He talked about how we need to be candle lighters rather than darkness cursers, and then about Numbers 13-14. He reminded us that although God gave the Israelites the land – there were bumps along the way, God doesn’t give us everything on a silver platter because he wants to develop us (it was a lot of the same stuff that was taught at Stacey and Michael’s wedding – it was really great).

We still have a bit more orientation to go through before we get really involved in our ‘regular’ schedule … but before I scamper off –

Ways to Pray
That the perspective that Brother Peter gave us will really sink in and that we will be thankful for all that God has provided for us – even when it feels cramped and hot.

That we will be willing to relinquish our rights/plans for the summer and focus first on God and his purposes.

That we will be of one accord – unified with God and each other, and that we exercise wisdom and grace in the weeks to come.

Also one of the Inner City staff, Michelle, has been having some dizziness and headaches since our arrival. She went to a Doctor who sent her to a specialist and tomorrow she is getting an MRI. Pray that they have wisdom in figuring out what is going on and how best to treat it.




Winthrop at New York ...