Unconditional Love
The restoration theme has still been very evident in these weeks that I have been here. God has removed a lot and also taught me a lot during this time. I have been blown away by God's unconditional, everlasting love. He has opened so many doors and opportunities for me to serve Him that I would need to be 17 people in order to do every thing that is available for me to do here. So I need you guys to pray for wisdom, that He would guide me to do exactly what He wills. I'm tired of making my own plans. I just want to follow His plan.
This week has been a blast. Here are excerpts from my journal:
Week 2 Day 3
January 6, 2014
Today we headed to the South Asian Center for the first day of English class for the new semester. Only a few students showed up so we were able to teach one on one. I taught a lady from Peru and she was very sweet. When she did not understand a word, God provided me a way to use my Spanish minor to explain the word. After class we had a staff meeting and went over major financial procedures for the new year and started working on a newsletter that we will be sending monthly. Larry provided us with lunch at a Korean restaurant called UFC (Unidentified Flying Chickens). There was a waitress from Turkey there that is open to hearing about Jesus. Pray that I would have more opportunities to build a relationship with her. Later, I filled out an application for a grant for seminary. My granny called me and told me that my church has given more to me. Praise God for them and for provision. They have supported me in every way possible, from boxes of toothpaste and bags of toothbrushes, to Target gift cards and more. Later I taught English class and more students came. They can see that Jesus is shining through me, this is a great way to build relationships with them and start telling them more about the Gospel.
Week 2 Day 4
January 7, 2014
This morning we had more ESL students. I was able to talk to and register a lady from Nepal. Her story was so beautiful. She has only been in the U.S. for a year and a half. Her husband was here for six years and brought her and their son over when he got his green card. She never went to school when she was younger so reading and writing is hard for her. Thankfully she does have a job and is not alone like a lot of immigrants are here. Pray for opportunities for her to hear about Jesus and that she would accept Him. She is buddhist. After class, Lauren and I made a fast trip to the mall so she could buy a good coat for this -15 degree windchill weather. We also purchased some hot tea to make at home (Thanks to my big sister for giving me a gift card to Teavana). Then we got some halal food for lunch and went back to the center to prepare for Kid's Club. I received a job offer to teach at a Christian school which would look great on my resume and the director of Urban Nations said I should take it (Later in the week God shut that door, thankful for answered prayers). Only one child and his mom came to Kid's Club. Pray that they would come to know Christ as their Savior. Pray for more opportunities to share more of Christ's love and word's with them. It's been a refreshing day full of God's provision.
Week 2 Day 5
January 8, 2014
Today we went to English Class at the South Asian Center. We helped Audrey teach the level 2 class. Audrey gives them a Bible verse to look at before she starts her lesson. This is a good way to make sure they are hearing and seeing the Bible. Then after class we had a lot of laundry to do. Then we rested, it's biblical. Thank God for rest. I'm thankful for Lauren and the blessing from God that she has been to my life. Please pray for her and that God would continue to use her and guide her and that she would keep seeking Him with all of her heart.
Week 2 Day 6
January 9, 2014
This morning we taught ESL at the South Asian Center using the Bible story of Simeon and Anna meeting Jesus. I had a good conversation with some Muslim women about what a temple is and what worship means. They said that they understood what I was saying but did not agree with me or respect me. I love these women entirely. A love I know that can only come from the Lord. Please pray that our students would accept Jesus as their Savior. They need Him desperately. Later for lunch, Lauren and I fellowshipped. We talked "real life" and it was so good. Being vulnerable and sharing life stories and praying for one another is so good and encouraging for the soul. Then we had Kid's Club using the same Bible story as this morning from ESL. Please pray for these kids, that they and their families would be discipled in Christ. One of the children remembered my name from this summer and that made me very happy. Then we ate dinner and Lauren and I headed to the African Friendship Center in Brooklyn to teach ESL. Only one students came so we had a good one on one lesson with her. Thank God for fellowship and life stories. Please pray that this student would come to know Christ. God revealed today that I would not be working at the Christian school but that I would be working in a nursery at one of our church plants on Sunday evenings. Thank God for clarity and provision.
Week 2 Day 7
January 10, 2014
Today Tosha went back to Kentucky. We had somewhat of a free day so Lauren and I went to Coney Island and ate hot dogs and walked the boardwalk. Then I read one of my seminary books to get ahead on some of my school work. Then I met with the pastor of the church that I go to on Sunday mornings. We are working on a new program for the children's ministry so please pray for this preparation. We will be incorporation worship, missions, and apologetics.
Week 3 Day 1
January 11, 2014
This morning I took Lauren to the airport and then had some quiet time at the beach house. I watched a movie on Hosea and God keeps teaching me about unconditional love. Then I went to a women's Christmas party at one of the churches I go to and it was beautiful fellowship time. I love the encouragement and beauty these women have. I'm alone at the beach house now for a week. God is teaching me how to be bold and to give all my fears to Him.
Week 3 Day 2
January 12, 2014
Today I taught 4-5 year old Sunday School at All Nations Baptist Church. It reminded me of the preschoolers at my home church. Pastor Dan talked to us about reading our Bibles more and living our lives for God. Then I came home and prayed about a big decision I have to make soon (please pray for that). Then I ate lunch and talked to my granny which was good for my heart. Then I headed to New Hope to keep nursery. I love working with children so much and so many of the parents are so encouraging. It makes me know and realize that this is exactly where God has me. Beatrice and her two kids and I had to catch the same bus so we got to know each other a lot. She is a single mother who recently lost her job after her ex husband beat her and left her. She is going to college to make a good way to take care of her boys. She is trusting God with everything she has. Her two boys were the kindest boys in nursery tonight, they have so much love in them. Please pray that God would provide for them, provide her a job, protect them and guide them.
Thank you guys for all of your prayers.
Please remember these people and pray for them.
deeper than my feet could ever wander,
Amy Drake
This week has been a blast. Here are excerpts from my journal:
Week 2 Day 3
January 6, 2014
Today we headed to the South Asian Center for the first day of English class for the new semester. Only a few students showed up so we were able to teach one on one. I taught a lady from Peru and she was very sweet. When she did not understand a word, God provided me a way to use my Spanish minor to explain the word. After class we had a staff meeting and went over major financial procedures for the new year and started working on a newsletter that we will be sending monthly. Larry provided us with lunch at a Korean restaurant called UFC (Unidentified Flying Chickens). There was a waitress from Turkey there that is open to hearing about Jesus. Pray that I would have more opportunities to build a relationship with her. Later, I filled out an application for a grant for seminary. My granny called me and told me that my church has given more to me. Praise God for them and for provision. They have supported me in every way possible, from boxes of toothpaste and bags of toothbrushes, to Target gift cards and more. Later I taught English class and more students came. They can see that Jesus is shining through me, this is a great way to build relationships with them and start telling them more about the Gospel.
Week 2 Day 4
January 7, 2014
This morning we had more ESL students. I was able to talk to and register a lady from Nepal. Her story was so beautiful. She has only been in the U.S. for a year and a half. Her husband was here for six years and brought her and their son over when he got his green card. She never went to school when she was younger so reading and writing is hard for her. Thankfully she does have a job and is not alone like a lot of immigrants are here. Pray for opportunities for her to hear about Jesus and that she would accept Him. She is buddhist. After class, Lauren and I made a fast trip to the mall so she could buy a good coat for this -15 degree windchill weather. We also purchased some hot tea to make at home (Thanks to my big sister for giving me a gift card to Teavana). Then we got some halal food for lunch and went back to the center to prepare for Kid's Club. I received a job offer to teach at a Christian school which would look great on my resume and the director of Urban Nations said I should take it (Later in the week God shut that door, thankful for answered prayers). Only one child and his mom came to Kid's Club. Pray that they would come to know Christ as their Savior. Pray for more opportunities to share more of Christ's love and word's with them. It's been a refreshing day full of God's provision.
Week 2 Day 5
January 8, 2014
Today we went to English Class at the South Asian Center. We helped Audrey teach the level 2 class. Audrey gives them a Bible verse to look at before she starts her lesson. This is a good way to make sure they are hearing and seeing the Bible. Then after class we had a lot of laundry to do. Then we rested, it's biblical. Thank God for rest. I'm thankful for Lauren and the blessing from God that she has been to my life. Please pray for her and that God would continue to use her and guide her and that she would keep seeking Him with all of her heart.
Week 2 Day 6
January 9, 2014
This morning we taught ESL at the South Asian Center using the Bible story of Simeon and Anna meeting Jesus. I had a good conversation with some Muslim women about what a temple is and what worship means. They said that they understood what I was saying but did not agree with me or respect me. I love these women entirely. A love I know that can only come from the Lord. Please pray that our students would accept Jesus as their Savior. They need Him desperately. Later for lunch, Lauren and I fellowshipped. We talked "real life" and it was so good. Being vulnerable and sharing life stories and praying for one another is so good and encouraging for the soul. Then we had Kid's Club using the same Bible story as this morning from ESL. Please pray for these kids, that they and their families would be discipled in Christ. One of the children remembered my name from this summer and that made me very happy. Then we ate dinner and Lauren and I headed to the African Friendship Center in Brooklyn to teach ESL. Only one students came so we had a good one on one lesson with her. Thank God for fellowship and life stories. Please pray that this student would come to know Christ. God revealed today that I would not be working at the Christian school but that I would be working in a nursery at one of our church plants on Sunday evenings. Thank God for clarity and provision.
Week 2 Day 7
January 10, 2014
Today Tosha went back to Kentucky. We had somewhat of a free day so Lauren and I went to Coney Island and ate hot dogs and walked the boardwalk. Then I read one of my seminary books to get ahead on some of my school work. Then I met with the pastor of the church that I go to on Sunday mornings. We are working on a new program for the children's ministry so please pray for this preparation. We will be incorporation worship, missions, and apologetics.
Week 3 Day 1
January 11, 2014
This morning I took Lauren to the airport and then had some quiet time at the beach house. I watched a movie on Hosea and God keeps teaching me about unconditional love. Then I went to a women's Christmas party at one of the churches I go to and it was beautiful fellowship time. I love the encouragement and beauty these women have. I'm alone at the beach house now for a week. God is teaching me how to be bold and to give all my fears to Him.
Week 3 Day 2
January 12, 2014
Today I taught 4-5 year old Sunday School at All Nations Baptist Church. It reminded me of the preschoolers at my home church. Pastor Dan talked to us about reading our Bibles more and living our lives for God. Then I came home and prayed about a big decision I have to make soon (please pray for that). Then I ate lunch and talked to my granny which was good for my heart. Then I headed to New Hope to keep nursery. I love working with children so much and so many of the parents are so encouraging. It makes me know and realize that this is exactly where God has me. Beatrice and her two kids and I had to catch the same bus so we got to know each other a lot. She is a single mother who recently lost her job after her ex husband beat her and left her. She is going to college to make a good way to take care of her boys. She is trusting God with everything she has. Her two boys were the kindest boys in nursery tonight, they have so much love in them. Please pray that God would provide for them, provide her a job, protect them and guide them.
Thank you guys for all of your prayers.
Please remember these people and pray for them.
deeper than my feet could ever wander,
Amy Drake
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