Day Three: Monday - November 23, 2015

Today was our first really busy day of the ICO trip, which we spent working with Christian Youth Theatre on various projects. During the morning, half of the team packed, addressed, and sent CYT mailings to schools and churches in the area while the other half of the team helped to clean the pews in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church. After a break for lunch and naps, half of the team went out canvassing to businesses to ask for raffle items for CYT's spring show, Beauty and the Beast, while the other half handed out candy bars and talked to families to promote the group.

After finishing with CYT, we returned to First Baptist Church to help with the Operation Christmas Child Relay Center that the church runs. We made sure that boxes were correctly labeled, and packaged them up to be sent out to Samaritan's Purse. In the evening, we made a quick stop at the apartment to drop off backpacks and things, we split into small groups to head back to the city to do some homeless ministry at different transportation hubs.

P.C. Hunter Francis

Team Highs and Lows

Julie's high was talking to Raphael, who only spoke Spanish. Since Julie speaks a little bit of Spanish, she was able to pick up words here and there, and Raphael was able to understand very little English, but they were able to communicate a little bit and bring a lot of joy and laughter to the conversation.

Elaina's and Arthur's low was having some poor responses to the idea of the New York City Rescue Mission. One man pushed the group away because he didn't want to have to go to a church service to spend the night since he was an atheist, which was discouraging to the team.

Daniel's high was meeting a reporter named Dave who also was working to interact with homeless people, and he was encouraged to see that there are people besides us who care about the people around New York City.

Adrienne, who was a member of last year's team and joined us for the evening, had the high of being reminded that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, but when we are with others who also have the strength of Christ in them, we have even more strength and courage to pursue intimidating goals.

Hunter's low was "realizing how many Christians stick gum under pews" while cleaning the sanctuary at First Baptist Church.

Jackson's high was spending most of the day with our team in one big group and having the chance to goof off and bond together while we ran the Operation Christmas Child relay center.

Hunter, Kira, and Rachael did homeless ministry at Grand Central Station with Chad, Michelle, and Gia.
Kaitlin, Katie, and Tim did homeless ministry in Times Square with Adrienne.
Julie, Daniel, and James did homeless ministry at Port Authority.
Elaina, Arthur, and Jackson did homeless ministry in Times Square and at Penn Station.