NY Mission Trip :: Day 2

Link To Additional Photos

So... today was a really good day. I mean that in the most honest and sincere way possible.

We started the morning by having Dunkin Donuts (thank you Lord!), and then a short group prayer time with just our 16 FBCers. Then we joined the 10:30am Bible Study class. (pictured above) Then, we were able to attend the "Encounter" service, which is the contemporary service here at CCLI. Each year that I have been blessed to make this trip, I have seen the Sunday attendence grow. What excites me most about this is not that there are more physical bodies here, but that I know Sterling and Luis are investing in these relationships. Each person who comes in gets a friendly greeting, and a genuine opportunity to know about a God who loves them. It was so great to see.

Shortly after service, we had to make ourselves scarse while the CCLI team had a New Members info class. We took the opportunity to grab a quick bite at Burger King, then head out into the neighborhoods surrounding the church to pass out the previously mentioned Kidz Camp flyers. Today, we got out close to 750 or so cards. Now, only 4,000 left... :)


All of that is well and good, but the best part of the day, my highlight, and collectively the brightspot of our time so far... 5PM Prayer Meeting. Sterling and the crew here have begun meeting at 5PM on Sunday afternoons to pray. Not talk about praying, or teach about it. Simply to pray. They meet with whoever shows up, the format is fluid and flexible, and there is no set time limit. We spend nearly an hour and a half in prayer for CCLI, church members, their families, their jobs, our team, each one individually, and our church back home. It was an incredibly sweet time of seeking the Lord in our lives. If nothing else was done today, to see our students praying for each other was worth it.

After prayer time, we pulled out the grill and fire up some hamburgers. I dont know about you, but there is nothing better than a few burgers, dogs, and potato chips! We shared some great time in fellowship with the staff and mission team, and their families. Avery (Sterling's youngest daughter) is absolutely precious, and indeed, as he so often shares, a great reminder of God's provision and protection.




Please pray for us as Monday begins our physical work projects. There is much to do, and it seems the list grows each time we turn around. We are excited to accomplish all we can, but even more so are excited about what the Lord wants to teach us while here. Join us in asking the Lord to soften our hearts and open our ears to hear His message for each one on this trip.



Until Monday Nights Entry...







--Bryan Martisek