Here's some of my best photos from the trip!
Feel free to email me if you'd like some more, but I hope you enjoy these.
- Anni
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Monday, August 3, 2015
reflections. part 4.
The Bowery Mission was definitely the most hard-working mission trip for me. There was always a job to do and not always a break. But when I realized how much it impacted the men in the program, it was absolutely worth it. The employees/other volunteers at the mission expressed so much gratitude for what we did there and it felt so heart-warming.
The main thing I learned working at the Bowery Mission is that you can't make assumptions about people until you get to know them. Going into the building on the first day I thought all the men there were/still on drugs or were people living on the street. Once I started having conversations with the men there I got a better understanding of the variety people that go through the program or just go there for meals. Each one of those people have different stories and backgrounds and its so interesting learning about them. Starting a simple conversation helped me become more comfortable working with others at the Bowery Mission.
-Lauren
This trip to New York has been my favorite mission trip. Perhaps we say that every year, but this one stands out to me. I enjoyed visiting as a tourist and of course taking hundreds of photos, but the service drew especially. While we didn't build a house or dig a well, we served in a daily ways that made a difference. Each individual who came through a meal line benefited. its easy to discount our impact, but I loved how our work was consistent and sustainable. We were only making food and handing it out, but it was what people needed, as much as a village might need a well. Moreover, as we worked to bless the Bowery Mission, they and New York blessed us. Hearing the men's stories, a woman on the subway who helped us when we wore lost, as especially kind waitress at a restaurant; these gave us hope that this is who we got to meet in a city known for rude strangers. God touched us through them. Even the huge intimidating skyscrapers only brought to mind lyrics we often sing "our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other." We like to say in the PNW that the mountains reflect God and sing his praises- apparently in New York its the skyscrapers that do.
-Annika
The main thing I learned working at the Bowery Mission is that you can't make assumptions about people until you get to know them. Going into the building on the first day I thought all the men there were/still on drugs or were people living on the street. Once I started having conversations with the men there I got a better understanding of the variety people that go through the program or just go there for meals. Each one of those people have different stories and backgrounds and its so interesting learning about them. Starting a simple conversation helped me become more comfortable working with others at the Bowery Mission.
-Lauren
This trip to New York has been my favorite mission trip. Perhaps we say that every year, but this one stands out to me. I enjoyed visiting as a tourist and of course taking hundreds of photos, but the service drew especially. While we didn't build a house or dig a well, we served in a daily ways that made a difference. Each individual who came through a meal line benefited. its easy to discount our impact, but I loved how our work was consistent and sustainable. We were only making food and handing it out, but it was what people needed, as much as a village might need a well. Moreover, as we worked to bless the Bowery Mission, they and New York blessed us. Hearing the men's stories, a woman on the subway who helped us when we wore lost, as especially kind waitress at a restaurant; these gave us hope that this is who we got to meet in a city known for rude strangers. God touched us through them. Even the huge intimidating skyscrapers only brought to mind lyrics we often sing "our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other." We like to say in the PNW that the mountains reflect God and sing his praises- apparently in New York its the skyscrapers that do.
-Annika
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