I blogged earlier this school year that I was torn between the Lipscomb mission trip to NYC and the trip to Cozumel. For those of you that don’t know, I wound up choosing the path to Cozumel. My sister, on the other hand, decided to join the winter break team bound for NYC. Unfortunately, as the New Year approached my sister became ill and wasn’t able to make make the trip. With very few options available, my family asked if I would be willing to go in her place. I jumped in head first and never looked back.
When I hopped off the plane at JFK, I was hungry, tired, and completely under the mercy of the New York winter wind - I had entered an entirely new world of cold. As we spent our first day wandering around Manhattan, I felt minuscule surrounded by all the towering skyscrapers. Simply crossing the street became a challenge as I had to duck and dodge oncoming pedestrians in an attempt to stay with the group. It was only my first day, but I was beginning to see why people refer to New York as “cold” and “impersonal.”
Throughout the next week we would be staying at Manhattan Church of Christ (which quickly became our stronghold from the arctic conditions). On the first morning I woke up to roll off my air mattress and venture beyond my gated community (a.k.a. nursery) to shower and embrace the day. Little did I know what sort of week laid just ahead…
We spent the first two days of the week working with Momentum, an organization that feeds and ministers to clients battling HIV and AIDS. Being from Nashville, I don’t have a great deal of interaction with the homosexual community or individuals who suffer from HIV. As we packed food bags, served hot meals, and dined with these individuals, I began to gain a broader perspective of the world. It’s easy to live life within your comfort zone, but it’s amazing what you’ll learn once you begin to live outside the box. I’ll always remember my time working with Momentum and Joelle, who always had my back. I have a hundred new blog worthy stories to tell just from my time serving here but I’ll save these for a later day.
For the remainder of the week our team worked in the Bronx with P.S. 179. I distinctly remember our first day of school. Having no idea what to expect, I could tell the team was feeling anxious as we walked down the chilly streets to reach the school. I was prepared for the worst when I stepped through the doors, but much to my surprise, my first sight was a smiling security guard warmly welcoming our team into her school. It was in this moment that I truly saw God on our trip. All feelings of uncertainty and anxiousness shed right away once I saw her friendly greeting.
My time in the P.S. 179 would be another eye opening experience as I became part of Ms. Moseley’s 4th grade class. Before joining the club, my only perspective of New York public school was from “Hey Arnold”, but now I see that all kids are just kids, whether they’re from the the rural farmlands of Tennessee, the Badlands of South Dakota, or the concrete jungle of New York. I’ll always look back at my time playing fun-ball, painting with watercolors, and just having crazy conversations in the lunchroom with a big smile.
Every day was jam-packed with service, but during the nights we were free to roam the city. This gave me a priceless opportunity to explore Times Square, grab Magnolia’s banana pudding at Rockefeller Center, see West Side Story on Broadway, and partake in countless adventures. My favorite adventure ended with the discovery of “The Boom Boom Room”, New York’s best kept secret. This 18th floor lounge offers the most spectacular view of the city while sipping on a warm cafe latte. I enjoyed this spot so much that I came back later that night to thoroughly enjoy it with my crew. I’m obligated to note that the lounge offers a priceless opportunity to relieve yourself while overlooking the New York skyline. It’s a liberating experience to do so while looking eye to eye with the Empire State Building.
I could write all day about my extraordinary experience in New York. I’m still sad for my sister that she had to miss the experience, but everything happens for a reason. I believe that God wanted to open my eyes to something new before I go out into the real world. I can clearly see that New York is far from the cold and impersonal city I once believed it to be. This is a city filled with hundreds of unique, vibrant communities that coexist in an exciting, thriving metropolis.
Lastly, I want my team to know that I love them. I only knew a handful of the team when I boarded the plane bound for JFK, but I came home with a new family. This may be a cliche statement, but I’m sincerely going cherish every moment of this trip for the rest of my life.
Oh, and what NY blog would be complete w/o saying “I <3 NY!”
To learn more about the Lipscomb University mission trip to NYC, please click here!
