Day 5: Last Day

Our time in New York is coming to a close and it has been a great week.  The team got to participate in VBS, help out with 5 day clubs, get to make new connections with the youth of the 2nd Free Church.

As the week came to a close with VBS the kids get to find out what the great treasure the pirates were looking for. As it turns out the greatest treasure that was in that chest, was the Bible.  So to go along with that theme the kids got to decorate their very own treasure chest to bring home and put their treasures in, knowing that the best treasure of all was Jesus Christ dying for our sins.

After VBS was over the team said goodbyes to the kids that came all week.  We even had one kid come back afterwards and ask when the next VBS will be because he had so much fun.  It was really hard to say goodbye for both the kids and the team.

The team also got the opportunity to attend youth group at the church.  We had fun playing games and getting to know the other youth. And to end the night we all got to go to Coney Island to see the fireworks and had a great adventure on the way back when an accent coach called out a few of team members for their attempt at accents, but gave a few tips to them on how to improve the ones they were attempting.

Closing thoughts from the Sparta team:

"Through this week I really learned how to 100% trust the Lord in all situations and that has been a real struggle for me to just let go."

"I leaened that I alone cannot do it all. I need the Lord in every aspect of my life and that really helps me grow in Him."

"God's timing in things isn't always, well almost never, suitable to what we want. We don't always need to know what He is doing."

Day 4: Smiles and Laughter

Hey everyone! Today is day 4 of our Bump missions trip. Whether it was walking the Brooklyn Bridge, doing the 5 day club, the V.B.S. worshiping or hanging out as a group, every moment has been one awesome adventure after another. Yesterday we got to have day 4 of VBS and we had the most kids by far! It was a blast and some of them are getting to hear the gospel for the first time ever. After that some of us went out to experience different cultural food. Who knew that so close to home we could have such a unique experience?

Overall as group we have bonded not just on an emotional level but on a spiritual level as well. Those of us who started out as acquaintances became the best of friends, and family. Little did we know that through a couple of intense rounds of Uno and Egyptian ratscrew could make us so close. One of the greatest forms of bonding was through our "prayer chain." We each get a carabiner each morning with another team members name on it. Through out the day we pray for that specific person, and at the end of the day we say something encouraging that we have noticed about that specific pers

on. Another way that our group has gotten closer is through flat out prayer and fun. Every day we get to witness each other and grow and change for the better, through God. I think everyone can agree that we are all blessed to be in this group together, and we are so thankful that God has provided us with such a great group of people. You can truly see Gods grace in every waking moment we are here.
-Hannah

Day 3: Fun and Rest

My experience with BUMP has been amazing! I didn't realize how many  kids have never ever heard about Jesus or even Adam and Eve only one hour away from my house. The VBS we are running here has surprised me everyday. The first day I was expecting around 10 kids but we had at least 20. Every day it improves and the kids are having a blast.

 My favorite part though of this trip so far has been the 5 Day Club. On Tuesday and today (Thursday) we split up and went to people's front porches to play with kids and share the gospel. I connected with a little Chinese girl. Both she and her grandmother spoke no English so I have no idea how old she is or what her name is but it's amazing to see how little things like bubbles and sidewalk chalk speak for itself. God can do amazing things with such simple things. This week God has been showing me that it doesn't have to be fancy, big or expensive. Kids are kids, no matter what language they speak. God is teaching me to let go of myself and my plans, my schedules, and my ways of thinking or doing things and let God take control. This is an experience that I will never forget and hopefully can do again.
-Mikaela

Bump has been a completely life changing experience for me. Since the moment I arrived, I have been continuously learning about God as well as the predominantly Chinese culture surrounding Second EFC. Its amazing to see the amount of work that God can accomplish in just one short week. For me, one of the coolest parts of running the VBS is seeing the camp grow everyday. Its clear to see that the children really enjoy the songs, games, crafts, and pirate themed skits, so much that they bring their neighbors and friends back the next day! Every morning, I have helped lead the worship songs and I have to say the my absolute favorite part of this trip has been to hear the kids sing the songs back to me and to see them master the dance moves. I can really tell that they are worshiping.

 I have also really enjoyed learning about the Chinese Culture present here. All of us have had the chance to try several new, delicious foods and experience some authentic Tai Chi. Last night we got to walk the Brooklyn Bridge. I loved it. The view was incredible! And, it was nice to take the night off and take a break. Overall, this has been an experience that I will not forget any time soon! Thank you to all who took part, I'm so grateful!
-Rachel

Day 2: 5 Day Clubs

Today we helped with the vacation bible school at the 2nd Evangelical Free Church of Brooklyn. That was fascinating because I really got to see some of our missionaries skills. Unfortunately we did not play ping pong after. We spent a lot of time playing card games today. Two of the guys and I went down to 5th avenue in search of a volleyball, so we got to explore the city to an extent.

 After dinner we went and helped out with the 5 day clubs. 5 day clubs are basically a vacation bible school brought to the stoop of someones apartment. We incorporated singing, dancing, games, bubbles, balloon animals and chalk. But the "stoop bible schools" is really when it came full circle.

The first day one of the guys and me were walking along in a group and we really got deep into our conversation. It all started when he went up to a hasidic Jew and asked him why he was wearing a hat like the one he was. He said to me about how it was fascinating that they are so bold for their religion. We came to the conclusion that we need to be more bold for Christ. This is how it came full circle.

God gave me an opportunity to be bold for Jesus. There was this one girl at the "stoop bible studies" who spoke pretty good English (we were in a culture where English is not the first language). I got to know her better than anyone else. I asked her if she knew who Jesus was (this was where it became full circle). She said, "no." And that broke my heart and I realized that God had given me a chance to teach the Gospel and being more bold for God, but I didn't take it. I learned that unfortunately no one really knows who Jesus is in our area. So if we go back tomorrow and I see that girl again, I will share the gospel with her and others too. :)

-Vinchenzo

VBS Day 1- Brooklyn Missions Trip

Have you ever had such an amazing day- but long- day that you just can't believe everything you just did all happened in one day?! Yup,that was my day today, but it was fantastic.

 The first thing we did was the basic everyday morning routine.  Wake up, eat, do our personal devo's, then group time.  After group time concluded, we had time to prep for our VBS that afternoon.  When it finally came time to host the VBS, we were all anxious and so ready to just have fun!

 Looking back on that two- hour time period now, I see God's hand written all over the entire experience.  When we were preparing for the VBS we were told to expect five- maybe ten kids for the first day.  WE HAD TWENTY KIDS SHOW UP! Hallelujah!:) Now, there were definitely times of difficulty,but nothing really proved to be a huge road block.

 The one thing our group realized today was that the kids were having a hard time obeying what we asked them to do, for example= stay quiet when it was lesson time.  The way we decided to fix it for tomorrow is to have us BUMP teenagers sit in between the kids, that way we might have more control over the situations- especially since there is such a big language barrier.  Through everything, God definitely was in control, and I can't wait to see what tomorrow's VBS day has in store!

After the last child left the building, we had a little time to hang out and regroup before we headed out into the city for our scavenger hunt- which was scheduled for a little team bonding fun! After we finished our hunt, we had our last team meeting for the night.   During this meeting we had a chance to process out loud everything we experienced during the day, and we had some time to say some encouraging words to a team member we were assigned to pray for throughout the entire day.  This time was really beneficial to us because we all realized how far a nice word can go.  We all grew as a team today- and with that I say goodnight! Thanks for reading!:) -Emily

The Team Arrives in Brooklyn

The team from the Sparta Evangelical Free Church arrived at Second Free Church on Saturday afternoon and had a great day of relaxation and explored the area.

On Sunday the team had the wonderful opportunity to attend the English Service of the Second Free Church.  It was a great cultural experience because there were people of many different ethnic backgrounds represented during the service.   It was even nice of the pastor to have the congregation get to know the name of at least one person on the team and pray for them and the team during the week.  That gave the team a chance to get to know the church members.

Once church and the coffee time was over it was time to set up for the block party to get the local community interested in coming to the VBS program during the week.  There was food, chalk, games, and prizes all over the place.  There were a good number of kids to work with and to get the word out to the rest of the neighborhood, so we are hopeful for what this week has in store.

Keep the team in your prayers as we move on with the week.