Day 2: July 14

After an amazingly wonderful, ridiculously spirit-filled worship service at the Brooklyn Tabernacle, we traveled to Manhattan and Times Square to sight see and grab some lunch. We had Italian at Bella Vita. Several in the group shared and extra large pepperoni pizza, some tried the calzone, and I had a fresh tomato and mozzarella panini. Yum. We did however discover that you only get one drink for the low low price of $2.95. So yeah, in a span of about 30 minutes and a group of 9 we spent about $40.00 on drinks! 

Yeah...lesson learned. After lunch we split off into groups to conquer the city in what little time we had left. Mary Helen and Dallas were off to broadway to see Cinderella! Hard it was awesome! LaShunda and Reagan hit up the shopping districts and while LaShunda was able to snag some really good deals for the duo, Reagan may or may not have lost her sanity. Rhoda, Ruth Abigail, Ellen and I headed NSC to the Brooklyn Tabernacle for a free concert they were offering. How could we pass up the chance to see this Grammy Award winning group! The sound of the two hundred souls singing for the Glory of our God was enough to make a white girl from small town America really get the spirit. That is a must do for all Christians. People actually wait in line to get into to worship our sweet God. I mean, ain't that they way it should be? They're certainly doing something right up here in NYC. 

Lawana and Kim traveled to the 9/11 memorial and only got lost a few times. Bless their hearts! Shari and John spent the afternoon with their son at his art show and we certainly enjoyed living vicariously through the pictures. Stay tuned and I will post a picture of her sons acrylic boat actually floating in the water. 

We all finally reconvened At the Promise Land church where we were given a history of the ministry, it's goals for summer camp, and a run down of what the weeks schedule will look like. We are working with a youth group from South Carolina who will be assisting the counselors as we man our stations. After the orientation we were all starving so we ate at a Bolivian restaurant down the street recommended by Sara called Pio Pio's. I loved it. Pictures and descriptions of the family style meal to come. Once we boarded the subway to head back to our hotel we were literally all running on fumes. Tomorrow it all begins. Tomorrow we have one of the hardest weeks physically and mentally but at e same time rewarding as we truly fulfill our call as Christians. they have asked us to love, discipline, teach and encourage these sweet children (even though their actions at times may be trying) Tomorrow we love unashamed and with all The Lord has commanded us to. Father, hear our prayer as we serve you by loving and serving your children, big and small. Amen.