Serving in New York

This week was great. First when we got to Brooklyn I did not know what to do because most of the people here spoke Chinese or other languages. Also the day we arrived we took a tour of Brooklyn with a guy from the church named Josh Gehret. While taking the tour we stopped for some bubble tea. I could not get a bubble tea because outside the store was a homeless man and I did not feel right. The reason I did not feel right was because he had nothing - no food, no home and it was sad so I did not get a drink but I did something different I went into a Chinese store and bought him some food.

So the first day we passed out flyers for VBS all around Brooklyn. While passing out flyers, we had a guy who was unhappy with what we were doing - he laughed at us and crumpled up our flyer. This act made us think about how lost some people are when they do not have Christ. So later that night we had a block party at the church. A lot of kids came!  We had a lot of fun playing games, eating food, singing songs, and a lot more.

Then came the second day. I bonded with the other group that came from NJ and became good friends with them. Also on the second day we did a scavenger hunt along with a homeless poverty simulation. This simulation made me and my group realize how blessed we are. And it is sad because this was a real life situation - there are many homeless people all across the world.  Also on Monday, we started a Five- Day Good News Club that 9/10 kids accepted Christ!  It was a great sight!

We also went to a community garden. We pulled weeds and also fertilized the garden. On Wednesday we went to a place called Immigrant Hope. At this place they explained how they help immigrants get into the USA, help them get places to live along with a job to support themselves and their family. Also on Wednesday, I took the time to step back and I realized how many people do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Now Thursday was different - I got to help with VBS.  I had a great time telling the little children about Jesus. Then after VBS I got time to hang out with the kids from Sparta EFC. I had a great time hanging out with the group.

Then later in the day we did a Five-Day Club and had 2 special girls. One was an 10- year-old girl named Kelsey. When we started Five-Day Club I gave her an evangelical cube.  By Thursday, she was able to tell me the whole story of Jesus Christ. The other special girl was Annie - who was an 11-year-old Chinese girl who wanted to accept Christ but her parents won't let her.  So while you are reading this please pray that Annie will chose to accept Jesus.

During my week at BUMP, I learned a lot about myself and how I feel towards certain things. Then Friday rolled around and everyone was tired but that did not stop us from serving for 4 hours!  We worked at a soup kitchen and after that we worked at the community garden, which donates food to that soup kitchen!

Now I am sad to say today is my last day in New York.  I will miss the whole team from Sparta, New Jersey along with the whole BUMP staff. Ohh wait I'm forgetting the best part -we had the most delicious meals made by our cook and BUMP Coordinator Mrs. Kim & Syerra!  So that about sums up my whole week of BUMP. God Bless You All.

--written by Eric from Pennsylvania, 14 years old

A Week of Service in New York

BUMP is an amazing program that provides a way for youth to serve in different communities and grow closer to God.  Our group stayed in the middle of Chinatown right next to the church.   On Sunday we had the chance to experience a multicultural church service in the middle of Chinatown.  We passed out many fliers for VBS in the Hispanic and Chinese communities.  We hosted a block party that night at the church.  It was amazing to bond with the kids by blowing bubbles and painting their faces.

We did a scavenger hunt on Monday and observed the Chinese, Hispanic, and Jewish communities.  The poverty simulation taught our group to appreciate what we have and to not complain about anything we don't have.    

On Tuesday, we worked in a community garden that donated all their food to the local homeless shelter and soup kitchen. 

On Wednesday my group and I helped serve with Immigrant Hope. It was associated with another church in the area so we learned more about the organization.  The leaders of the program had us pass fliers out to hang in the front windows of different stores to advertise help for people to navigate the immigration process in the U.S.  

Then on Thursday we celebrated two of my friends birthdays by riding bikes in Central Park for our free morning. 

Thursday night was the best night all week because we shared the gospel with all the little kids in our 5 day club. We had been running the 5 day club every night this week, and everyone in our club prayed to accept Christ that night!  My heart jumped for joy at the children's decision.

Finally on Friday, we served at a soup kitchen. Serving at the soup kitchen was my favorite part of the entire week because it was really fun to help serve 340 homeless people!

The 5 day Good News Club we ran the entire week was fabulous. I loved telling other kids about God and sharing the Evangicube.  My experience at BUMP was fantastic and I will remember it for the rest of my life. I encourage each and every one of you to attend BUMP and grow closer to God. 

--written by Sarah from Pennsylvania, 14 years old