From Minnesota to NYC Missionary

Never did I imagine what would happen in my first eight months in Flushing, NY. God had brought me to a place of complete trust in Him. Before I arrived in New York I went through some very difficult heartaches, through which I came out on the other side purified and refined. 

At 56 years old the jump into full-time missions was a 

long time in coming and a huge leap of faith. 

In the past five years, I’ve been on five mission trips with Street LIFE Ministries to Brazil where God gave me a burning passion for the lost through street evangelism. The cost has been high, and the enemy stole much from me as he began to see how God wanted to use me. Through it all God was there and truly trustworthy and faithful, and I realized He will NEVER leave me or forsake me! 

When Covid-19 hit, it became one of my first tests of my new found COMPLETE trust in God. Amazingly I’ve never become fearful of the virus. Psalm 139:5 became a reality for me “You hem me in behind and before, and you la
y your hand upon me”. God had my back allowing me to hit the streets without fear. It has been an amazing very busy few months here. All the norms went out the window and we got busy! Because of the great need, we in a greater way were feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, loving the unloved, and preaching the gospel. In a way, Covid-19 has opened up more opportunities for us to be salt and light and to tell many more of His great love.

All the Way from Alabama

Maggie has been with us now for more than a month and this is how she shared her story.....

Hello! My name is Maggie Jones, and I am from Jasper, Alabama. The summer before my senior year, my youth group went to Phoenix, Arizona for a Nazarene Youth Conference 2019. I experienced God speaking to me in the middle of this massive arena. It was there that I promised Him that wherever He wanted me, I would go. 

Then, God spoke again early on in my senior year, same feeling, same emotion, same everything. In that moment, I knew it was time to put some action behind my words. This is when I began searching, and my searching lasted for several weeks, until I found “Street LIFE Ministries in NYC”. I emailed and got a response that same day. I spoke with David and he shared with me that the SLM team had been praying that God would lead high school seniors to them for an internship. 

This conversation reassured my heart, and it led me to have some serious conversations with several important people in my life. The journey to finally arriving to serve with Street LIFE wasn’t easy. I could have never expected that we would be in the middle of a global pandemic. When I would share with others about my internship, and what I’d be doing, some would look at me like I was crazy. I would then share that this season of uncertainty has not been a deterrent for me, instead, this has encouraged me more that there is a greater reason that God has called me to go. After being here only one week, my heart remains the same. I have already seen in multiple ways, and in so many people, why God called me here. I am so thrilled to be serving with Street LIFE Ministries for the next two months! 

My Feet Hurt

        

A few weeks ago at Tompkins Square Park, there was a woman who had been looking at the clothes we had set out. I’ve spoken with Valerie (name changed) in the past, but mostly just pleasantries.  This day at the park she mentioned she had a lot of pain in her feet and it turns out she has plantar fasciitis. This is a condition I’ve had in the past, so I understand how painful it can be. 

Praying for people that need healing is something that I love to do at every opportunity that presents itself. So I asked if I could pray for her to which she agreed, I laid my hands on her foot and prayed.  Then I asked if it felt any different? She said it was maybe a bit better so we prayed again and there was more improvement. Several weeks went by and I see her again. Suddenly I remember her plantar fasciitis, so I asked her how her feet were feeling?  "Oh, you gotta pray for my feet, they really hurt”, she said.  

another person (not Valerie)

                                                         

I got down on my knees and laid my hands on her feet and said “In Jesus name pain be gone, tendons and bones go back into place now”. After I asked her to see how they felt which she acknowledged a little better so we prayed again. If you remember, Jesus prayed for the blind man twice before he could see fully, so I don’t hesitate to pray twice either. 

This time when she checked out her feet, the pain was completely gone and she could move and flex without hurting! She was so excited and exclaimed, “ What did you do? How did you do that?” I told her it was Jesus who healed you. At this point, Valerie was beginning to weep. I told her how much God loves her and is pursuing her. 

What I haven’t mentioned before is that Valerie had asked Jesus into her life that first time we prayed for her feet weeks before. The need for more prayer was evident, so we prayed again for her life, for her children, and for her to pursue God. Afterwards she was crying and saying she almost passed out when we were praying (as the power of the Holy Spirit was on her). I encouraged her to pray and read scripture every day starting with the gospel of John, Psalms, and Proverbs. Another friend was nearby and was equally touched. Thank you, Jesus.

We always bring food and clothing to the park for those in need but we are there for so much more!

                                            

An OPEN Door

During one of our prayer and fasting times, we prayed over Beautiful One (our outreach to the women in the massage parlors in Flushing, Queens) and specifically for “Diane” who has been receiving food from us during the COVID-19 pandemic.  That day we planned to drop off another package of food for her.  We prayed that her heart would be softened and she would be receptive to us and the Lord.  

When we arrived, I expected to leave the food on her doorstep like usual.  (She has been very afraid of the virus and did not want to come outside. We would see her peering through her window as we dropped off food and left it for her.)  

However, she opened the door, 

invited me in and showed me her room.  

“This is where I study English!” she proudly stated.  I was in shock but realized this was in answer to our prayers that day.  She and I chatted for a few moments.  She remains incredibly grateful for all that she has received.  “Dear, during the infectious disease, I did not go out for four months.  You took care of me so that I could eat and drink.  You made me the happiest woman during an infectious disease,” she wrote after receiving her “care package.”  

 

He Used to See Demons

        It was several weeks ago when a man sat down at the end of the row of chairs that we set up at Tompkins Square Park and he was eating some of the food we had given him. I’ve found over the years Holy Spirit will highlight someone that He would like me to speak with and I felt that with this man. We made the usual small talk about the weather and so on, and that he immigrated from Poland.

Then, during this conversation, he said “I see demons”.

So I began to speak to him about God loving him and the message of the gospel and I then prayed for him.

He comes back another week at Tompkins Square Park and he starts off the conversation with “my faith has been restored”. He is reading the New Testament in Polish every day which he showed me along with a book called the Bible Promise Book. At this point, I’m wanting to make sure I’m understanding what he is saying so I ask, “What do you mean your faith has been restored?” He goes on to tell me he has been listening to a Christian program every day and at the end is a sinner’s prayer for repentance, which he prays every day! So, he was no longer seeing demons!

We plant seeds and we water, but we don’t always get to see the harvest, so it was a huge blessing to know this man committed his life to the Lord, and his name is written in The Lamb’s Book of Life. Thank you Jesus!

Helping A Veteran

Today as we drove into Tompkins Square Park we prayed that God would bring new people we could connect with and those who are eager to share what is going on in their lives.  As usual, God answered that prayer when a homeless veteran that we have never met came by.  His demeanor was broken and humble.  He politely asked if he could have some fruit and bread.  

“Of course!”  

He was happy to receive the food, hygiene products, and clothing.  

He asked, “Do you have information on a shelter?”  I provided him with one of our resource sheets to get him started and recommended New York City Rescue Mission which is close by.  It turns out he’s filled out an application three separate times and he still hasn’t received housing assistance.  Knowing that he is a veteran, I offered to look into the options available for him.  He was grateful.  

“Could I pray with you?”  I asked.  

“Oh, yes! Please!” he said.  

Our new friend shared that he became a believer after reading the Bible.  He was happy to talk about his experience with God.  I asked if he had a Bible and he needed one in Spanish.  Thankfully we had one for him since we bring Bibles and New Testaments in English and Spanish.  For the rest of the day, he spent his time reading it.  

Please pray in agreement with us for a breakthrough to take place in this man’s housing situation.  Hopefully, at New York City Rescue Mission he will meet with a case worker who may be able to help.  

North Dakota shows NO FEAR

3 Generations representing North Dakota!

With teams canceling for the summer, David received a call from Amy Jo from North Dakota.  Her family had booked in January for the first week in June to come to New York City to serve with Street LIFE Ministries.

"Can we still come to NYC"?  

OF COURSE YOU CAN!  And they did! 

Here is Mary Jo's testimony....

"My heart broke when I saw men running towards us as we pulled to our spot.  They were so thankful to receive hot food and a bag of food (some rice and beans) to take with them. There were so many men looking for work to provide for their family that it was heart-breaking.  One gentleman that I spoke with shared how the pandemic caused him to lose his job.   Now he has to rely on other people for help.

11 year old Nathanael

packing the food bags

Our time in Tompkins Square Park was different and unique.  

Everyone greeted us with a smile.  It was sad to hear people ask for underwear and socks, things I take for granted.  I know a highlight for my boys was seeing Billy receive a new suitcase on wheels to store his blankets in.  The regulars were there both times eagerly waiting for us and helped us unload the truck and set up things.  They also hung out the entire time we were there to talk with us.

Thank you for this opportunity.

Caleb's story (15 years old)....

"My testimony for the ministry was about how my heart was touched.  Many people talked to me saying how we have been the only light in their lives for a long time.  They also said by us being there, it's showing that God has a plan for them in the near future.  I really enjoy preaching the Gospel to everybody, so this gives me the strength to share with joy.  I pray that when I age and marry, we will be able to come and serve because I love this ministry."