NYC - DC - Volume Four

We made it home safely! Check out the last day of photos here.

Washington D.C. to Elkin

On our way home....

Sanctuary

This youth trip to NYC with First Baptist Elkin, has allowed me to understand that help is needed everywhere. This trip allowed the entire youth group to share fantastic experiences and also gave all of us the ability to help those in dire need. This mission trip was successful in many aspects; it allowed all of the youth to learn exactly how bad off some people are and also how some churches in NYC are doing a lot to help meet the needs of those people. During this trip I learned that helping others isn’t something that is always done. Also I learned that Churches like Trinity, MCC, and Metro are stepping up and providing assistance, food, and housing to people in need. I believe the most important thing I learned on this trip is that churches like Metro understand the full meaning of “Sanctuary.” This word when put into full use is very powerful to people who are in need of anything. To me the word “Sanctuary” in a church sense means not only the sanctuary where people come to pray, but in a more powerful sense such as providing for people who truly need “Sanctuary” from the elements, hunger, and poverty. It’s providing for anyone and almost anything that they need. “Sanctuary” means so much more than just a place to worship or a place to get down on our knees and pray. Through this trip I believe that our youth group has been enlightened. I believe that they now know the true meaning of “Sanctuary."

Caleb Brooks

On our way home...

We just boarded the mega bus and are on our way to D.C. The group is little worn out but in great spirits.

Hope in the City

Hope is a strange critter. In the darkest corners of our lives, there is always a ray of hope that illuminates a new passageway of depth and ideas. This week in New York, I have seen hope extended from the unlikeliest of people in the most unlikely of places; from the diverse members of Hell's Kitchen's Metropolitan Community Church to Trinity Church's brown bag lunch given to the those in need right in the middle of the New York Financial District. The greatest lesson I have learned this week is that help should be given where it is needed, not where it is convenient. The poor and needy will always be among us. However, rather than simply weathering the storm, we should seek out other ships in need, whomever and wherever they might be. I am proud to have participated in this experience, for it has been one of the most soul stirring events of my life. New York is a city of diversity and intellect and ideas, but above all, it is a city of hope.

Jackson Triplett

NYC - Volume Three

I thought the youth were going to kill me... we did a LOT of walking on Wednesday. From Brooklyn, to Harlem, to Hell's Kitchen the group pushed through and saw a great deal of New York City.

Check out the photos here!

-John

Amazing Day

We visited Trinity Wall Street today and got to see their large church, full of life. It was amazing to see how much they help out in the city. We organized a closet for sunday school for them and got to help out at their bag lunch program. It was eye opening to see how the needy blended in with everyone else around the city. They were so friendly and grateful for the lunches and the hospitality of the volunteers there. They were also lively and friendly when they were talking to us.

We experienced some beautiful sights today as well. We walked across the large Brooklyn Bridge and got to see out over the waters and get a good view of the Statue of Liberty. After an amazing dinner we headed to the board walk for some ice cream and a killer view. After this, we watched the city as it turned from day to night. It was absolutely amazing; like nothing we'd ever seen before. Our day was filled with a lot of new things that opened our eyes and amazed us.

Tristan, and Destiny

New York City - Volume Two

Check out the newest photos..

Eye Opening

I’ve visited New York City three times, and this has been the most enlightening of the trio. The past two visits, I was exposed to the luxurious areas of the Big Apple. This time, however, has been for lack of a better phrase, an “eye opening” experience. Most of the areas I’ve been to have shown a side of New York people don’t like to think about.

Just the other day, John and I were walking from a deli and saw a man at his hot dog stand. It was in the midst of pouring down rain, the man was helpless; he had no where to go and it came to my attention that this was problem not only for him, but for many others in the city. It shouldn’t only be their problem, but ours as well. And that is why mission trips are important to me. I have been truly blessed to have this experience with the youth, and I have not only found others, but myself as well.

Kenton McCollum

New York City - Volume One

Check out our first photo album from the city.. Volume One

Monday - Arriving in NYC

Hello!

We finally made it to New York after a long bus ride! Today for our mission work we went to cook dinner for the Metropolitan Community Church teen shelter of New York City. We cooked spaghetti..very spicy spaghetti for that matter ;) We first saw the teens as they entered the shelter for dinner. I pictured them to have such a sad look on their face. They entered the shelter with such joy. They had established what seemed like a family to them there. Being at that shelter was what made them happy. It really gave me a different view on how homeless people really are. The stereotypical images that used to come in my head whenever I thought of a homeless person are forever gone after today. There are so many different people young and old who are homeless. The Metropolitan Community Church is just one organization that has been established to help make a difference.

Annie&Erica

Early ride to NYC

We are hopping on the megabus!

Sunday Travels...

The youth were all smiles as we headed out the parking lot on our way to Washington D.C. We arrived in the city around 9:40pm after some pretty heavy traffic throughout Virginia. But, we got here safely! After a few quick games of volleyball everybody was off to sleep for a few hours. We will be catching the Mega Bus to NYC at 7:15am and immediately heading off to our first project. Two youth should be posting each night about their experiences, so keep checking back!

Calvary Baptist Church in D.C. is absolutely beautiful!

To NEW YORK CITY!!!

The youth will leave the FBC Elkin parking lot Sunday at 1:30pm to head to New York City. You can keep up with all the news and happenings right here on our Mission Trip Blog. Please pray that our youth will be safely stretched and challenged by new experiences.

Chaperones:

John Callaway

Jonathan Tennial

Youth:

Caleb Brooks

Tristan Grubbs

Kenton McCollum

Jackson Triplett

Erica Cox

Seless Neese

Destiny Perkins

Annie Walters