We are staying at the Fairfield Inn on Long Island City, Queens. It is a nice place and we began the day with a free continental breakfast. We liked the price. At 8:30 a.m. we left and headed for the subway. It was an hour and a half ride from the hotel to Coney Island which is on the outer shores of the borough of Brooklyn. We never knew New York City was so big.
We got to the Salt and Sea Mission just before 10:00 a.m. and met Rocco, the business manager. He informed us that Pastor Debbie Santiago was in the hospital in serious condition. She had pneumonia and ended up having surgery and after more complications was scheduled for more surgery today.
He showed us a video that explained what they did at the mission and then we worshipped with several members of the community, some other short term missionaries from Ohio and the staff. The staff called on us to lead the worship service. I opened with prayer and then the group from Ohio lead the singing and shared some testimonies. Then one of their young people gave a short message about how God is always with us.
We didn't know they would call on us to help lead worship but Melanie and I led some singing and June Deptulski offered a short testimony. The staff member then shocked Sandy by asking her to offer a prayer. Sandy froze and her sister, Sharon stepped up and did a great job of closing the service.
The Mission packs food bags for people and they began coming up to get them at noon. There were a lot of volunteers today and somehow Rocco got word that we weren't coming so they didn't expect us. He told me they always had things to do so five of us went out to the Boardwalk with snacks and tracts. It was a stretch for most of us because we haven't done that before but it was ok. We had a number of copies of Daily Bread to share and several people actually wanted them.
At 2:00 p.m. we did a short devotional and prayer and then headed for lower Manhattan to make our firehouse visits. We had five visits scheduled for the fire stations around ground zero. It was an hour ride into the city on the subway and then a lot of walking. We got to see China Town, Wall Street, South Street Seaport and Ground Zero.
You won't believe this. Our visits to the first two fire houses were interrupted by fire calls. The bell rang and the guys were off while we were chatting with them. We stood outside the stations and prayed for the guys as they took off. We had gift bags for them filled with all kinds of goodies made in Connecticut. We also gave them a poster which was a reprint of a painting hanging in Washington, DC signed by Julie's husband's uncle.
We stopped for lunch and then finished up and of the last three stops, one left for a call and one was out on a call when we visited. All day we only made one visit and got to give our whole spiel. The firemen in New York really do need our prayers because they are always on the move serving and protecting the people of the city.
After finishing up our assignments, a part of the group headed to Time Square for a short visit. Some of the group had never been there. It was an experience. The lights, the crowds and the noise were amazing.
Here are a few photos from our adventure.
It was a long day and I'm turning in. Stay tuned for more tomorrow.
Cal
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