Johnny 5 from Short Circuit.



Johnny Five aka Collin

Even though Collin almost got arrested, and even though he wore a "do-rag", and even though he STOLE the last peach green tea from me, i had a great time hanging with Reverend Doctor Collin Rockafeller. Even before we left for NYC Collin and i had some really cool chats. He has such a fresh take on life and to following Jesus. He was the first to share an "insight-on site" and he did an amazing job and showed some real courage to share parts of his life with some people he had only known for a short time.

i am really looking forward to getting to know Collin even more this upcoming year he is a truly special guy. But he does wear Michigan State stuff so i dunno....


here is the NYC trip in Collins words:

"The diversity in New York was the first thing that I really noticed. Compared to what we are used to seeing at home, it was very different to see so many different kinds of people. There were people from every part of the world, all speaking different languages and all interacting and living and working in the same place.

It was really cool to get to know eleven people who were for the most part strangers. I thought it was very powerful hearing others speak about their personal issues and their past openly with the group, as well as doing it myself. It takes a lot of courage to just spill your guts in front of a bunch of people who you don’t know that well. The way that all of us were so open and accepting of each other was very good to see. I feel that I have made friends that I don’t want to lose. I hope after New York I can still see everyone, and continue building relationships.

Also, after going to New York and interacting with all of the people and the little kids, I realized that kids are kids. It doesn’t matter where they grow up or their family’s socio-economic position. Kids just love being kids and having fun, which is what they do best. Through spending time with everyone from the Taft House, I was able to remember what it was like to just let loose and have fun. I was able to remember what I was like when I was younger. I had forgotten how much fun it is to play in the water, or swing on the monkey bars or play tag. It was a great experience.

Finally, it was great to see all of the sights and experience a lot of what New York City has to offer. Between Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, and seeing Phantom of the Opera, I felt like I got to see much of New York from a tourist’s stand point. However, I would love to go back. Even with all that we were able to see, there is still so much more to see and do. It was a great trip and I’m looking forward to more fugo activities."

Bebo

Bebo aka Becca

I am assuming you have heard or sang the song Undignified by David Crowder. (I know it has been recorded by many other artists, but just hang with me) The lyrics go like this:
"I will dance, I will sing to be mad for my King.
Nothing Lord is hindering this passion in my soul.

And I'll become, even more undignified than this.
Some may say it's foolishness,
but I'll become even more undignified than this
Leave my pride by my side."

While we were in NYC at the Taft Houses this song echoed in my mind as I watched Becca dance and sing with the kids from Taft.

One day when we were doing music outside, the ladies that were running the Taft Center told us not to do music on the steps in front of the building because many of the tenants would throw stuff out their windows down at us. So you kinda get the picture that doing the music outside was not going to be a welcomed thing. This didn't stop Becca. Without hesitation, she moved the kids a few yards away and began singing and dancing. She lead them in some crazy songs and fun motions and the kids jumped right in and had a blast.

She was undignified. She wasn't worried about what others may be thinking or about how dorky she looked; she knew that she was there to be Jesus. To share love. To smile. To laugh. And she did. The entire trip Becca was an encouragement to everyone around. She was willing to do whatever was necessary to see God's love expressed.

Personally, it was great to have Becca along on the trip. I have known her for several years, and she has always been a someone who has lived out her faith by putting others first and serving whenever or wherever it is needed. But on this trip, I was able to see Becca's heart.

It was like she was finding Jesus again for the first time. She exuded joy and wonder and appreciation and humility and love. It wasn't necessarily something she said or did. It was just around her. (Check out Acts 4v13.)

Thanks Becca.

below you can read about the trip in Bebo's words:

"I started this trip with a variety of emotions. I was excited and anxious to get there, nervous about the relationships I was bringing along and leaving at home, and confused on exactly where and what we were really doing. I had spent the majority of the week prior to departure on the other side of the country and the remaining time working the equivalent of a week's work in 4 days to make up for all the time I missed. Regardless, I was packed and found myself standing in Nate's driveway in the middle of the night that Sunday not really knowing what I was getting myself into.

Things were soon revealed to me as we jokingly discussed the drawbacks of our beloved Baptist van. Driving there I grew more and more nervous realizing I really was oblivious to the future and this is out of the ordinary for me. I like to be prepared and ready for what is to come so I can give my all at any moment thus encompassing the fact that I HATE to stand still. The thought of not knowing what to do with myself makes me cringe.

However, there was no need to worry for God was already at work. At the first rest top, Nate challenged us to pick a word we wanted to work on over the week. Something we could offer over to God, an area of improvement for ourselves. So thinking about all my anxieties, I choose the word surrender and desired for this trip to be about God's agenda and not my own.

That Monday, our first day at the Taft house, I passed the first test. When we arrived in the afternoon, a group of southern elderly ladies were already set up and ready to present a Bible school. Determined to follow their plan, they were somewhat uncooperative and we became miffed about what to do. Lingering outside WAITING for what to do, a wave of calmness came over me. I remembered that this was God’s plan and that we were only a part of it. I asked if I could pray with the kids of our group and right there, on the steps of the apartment building, we gave it over to God.

He worked his miracles all right. About 15 minutes later we were engulfed in a water balloon game and kids were already starting to warm up to us. We worked it out to come back to the Taft house each afternoon and neither the kids our ourselves could wait to come back.

Another thing that moved me about our openness to God was our willingness to step out of our comfort zones for these kids. We were warned that the kids had a different life from what we were used to and came from hardships we would probably never know. When I arrived that first day they seemed different and foreign, almost beyond us and untouchable. We sat with them in their classroom on the outskirts confused about what to do when I saw a little girl struggling to get into her chair. I immediately jumped up to help her and she gave me that innocent little kid smile like you have just saved their life. I felt the walls come down right there as I realized these kids need and want my love just as much as the 4 and 5 year olds I left back at home in my all white Christian Reformed Bible school class at work.

Looking back I feel that God used every minute of every day of that week. The time we spent bonding in the sprinklers to the excitement I saw on their faces when I said they could take the leftover stickers home was priceless. Even on the crowded bus ride to the Zoo, God had a special plan.

I sat in the back with a rather vocal young girl named Fatima. Diagonally from us sat a girl named Shannon who had an attitude that tended to rub Fatima the wrong way. Out of the blue, Fatima leaned over to me and asked me if I would ask Shannon to be her friend. I did, and after a talk about forgiveness, they decided to renew their friendship and forget why they were fighting. God wasn't done though. In about 10 minutes two small boys began picking on a girl named Rosalee. I told them how and why this was wrong and they started to explain the story about why they didn't get along. After a few tears and another explanation of forgiveness, another set of friends had been made. I had never felt more like Oprah in my life.

When I reflect on the trip, I don't regret a thing. Not even our trip to Broadway when we thought we got to leave at intermission (imagine how excited we were for the second half). Leaving for this trip I expected to help people, I never thought God would help me so much. I thought I had my life and everything figured out, but I realized I'm not even close. I'm not worried though, because I have learned to surrender it all to God for he knows what the future holds. I don't need to plan the future I just have to live it. Don't tell my parents though, they still want me to pick a college."

Picante Muchacha

The Picante Muchacha aka Allison.


Allison was an amazing help in NYC as well as a HUGE HUGE help getting things ready before we headed out. She marked a heap of stuff for the garage sale as well as pulled together many of the art projects we prepared for the Taft House. When we arrived in NYC Allison continued to lead the way getting things ready and prepared for the kids. While many of the students were outside running around "like a crazy person", Allison was busy at work inside the Taft Center making sure that the chaos that was outside would transition into a calm place to explore their artistic gifts. She was a huge help!

If any of you know Allison she likes things to be planned and scheduled. She is gifted at making sure things come together and that all the details are met. Well... the NYC Trip was anything but planned!! It seemed that with every subway ride came a new surprise. With every plan came a Plan B.

This is the kind of stuff that typically puts a huge stress cloud over Allison. But early in the week she had shared with our team that she wanted to let God be in control and try not to worry to much about the details of the week. Those words were extremely prophetic.

God stretched Allison in a great way the week we were in NYC. Her attitude was never poor. She always focused on being Jesus to the kids at the Taft as well as the students from Fugo. She was such a blessing to everyone who was along in the trip.

Below are her words about the trip:

"This was truly an amazing experience.

Our first day at the Taft House was really what made the trip. We went in with all of these plans and expectations and God completely threw them all aside. We were completely taken off guard when we arrived only to find that there was already another group running their VBS. Talk about uncomfortable! You could just feel the tension. It was awesome to discover that while the leaders were busy trying to figure out the details, our students had completely engaged the children. The kids at the Taft House were so ready to embrace (I think Bebo grew an attachment that day) our students. Once we all realized that, everything else pretty much just fell away. It was really the encouragement that we all needed.

The rest of the week was spent building relationships. Many of the children were in attendance every day, but there were those few that we were lucky to only hang out with just once. Kalil was a little boy that we met that very first day. In the beginning he really wanted no part of what was going on. By the end of the afternoon he was sharing his artwork (he was quite gifted) with us, asking for autographs and pretty much talking with anyone who would listen. After following us halfway to the subway and several reassurances that we would be returning he decided to rejoin his brother and head home. He never showed up the next day and I found myself looking for him every day after that. I don't think any of us realized how much of an impact these children would have on us. Hearing their stories, watching and playing with them, experiencing their joy are what each of us will keep with us. When we said goodbye on Friday, it really felt like we were saying goodbye to a younger brother or sister. We all expect to see them again some day.

While in NYC I also saw a tremendous amount of growth amongst our students. Not only did they stretch themselves with the children of the Taft House, they opened themselves up to each other. When we started, many of the students did not really know one another. It was beautiful to watch their relationships progress throughout the week.

This was truly an amazing experience.

I feel so blessed to have been able to serve! Thank you to everyone who supported us!!

much love,

Allison"

Thursday in NYC.

On Thursday morning we were up and gone by 6:30. This was after we got back to the hostel at 2am. So we were all working off very little sleep.

We started the day out at Liberty Island. The Noogin Monkey shared and INSIGHT/ONSITE about Freedom. He did an amazing job and gave us a lot to journal about. It was very powerful to reflect on freedom sitting at the feet of what is known internationally as the symbol of freedom and knowing that true freedom is found in Jesus.

Below you’ll see pictures of our team journaling.

This is looking back from The Ferry on the way to Liberty Island.


Mackenzie, Allison, Carly, Zach, Mac.


Zach heard from God in a new way... very cool!

Bekah fillin' her pages.


Carly journaling freedom.



Really Becca isn't sleeping... she's WRITING!



Mackenzie putting thoughts to paper.



Allison reflecting and enjoying some quiet away form the big city.

Jenn deep in thought.


G-Rald scriblin' away.


Peyton writing about staying free.


Mac... don't look.... write!


Collin writin' away.

ummm... this is the... Liberty Bell?

The pictures below are from our trip to the Central Park Zoo. It wasn’t a real big zoo, but we had a great time. The bus ride was quite an experience… just imagine all the looks we got. 40 of us! I had to carry around $100.00 worth of quarters so we could pay for the buses. Both times though, we had just great bus drivers who wouldn’t take our money. Very cool!

This is our group with all the kids form the Center.


Zach and Elvy.


Becca and Fatima.


Mackenzie is way too excited, she was always sooooo loud!

Shannon acting like America's Next Top Model.


Ronnie... what a smile!


Carly and Nadia.


This is still Carly and Nadia. Nadia wouldn't leave Carly.


Mackenzie and Farita.

this is us on Madison Ave. You should have seen the looks we got.


Does Collin have a new friend?


Barbara... are you talkin' to me?


Maria and Farita

It is late... no student posts...sorry.

Sorry we don't have any pictures to share tonight. It is almost 2am and we just got back to the hostel a short time ago. This is the city that never sleeps.

Today was great once again. We seem to be developing a theme that may sound something like... "We were planning to do ________, but God had us do ________. "

The Bowery was really cool today. Although, once again we showed up to our scheduled time to lead the chapel and another group was there as well. "Thanks Mission Coordinator!" (Can you feel the sarcasm?) But the Minister that spoke was AMAZING! He was screaming and yelling and "Seven Way Kinging it" if you know what I mean. The students who went along really enjoyed it. It was definitely an experience that we would not have had in the GH.

We did get to "pray the doors open" today. We all gathered right inside the doors and held hands and prayed for the men who would be coming in to the service. And as we closed the prayer, simultaneously with the Amen, we kicked the doors open. It was a pretty cool experience.

I also had a chance to talk with a few of the men of The Bowery. One guy had his throat cut a few weeks back DURING one of the services. Another guy shared with me how much the program at The Bowery has meant to him and his family. He graduates this August and hopes that his lifelong drug habit will truly be a thing of the past. Pray for him, his name is Dane Singh. He sang a sing today in the service. He has a terrible voice, pitch problems, as well as a rhythm issue... but it may have been one of the most beautiful songs I have heard in a long time. His heart was louder than is voice.

The Taft just continues to be a real blessing to us. I had a great talk with one of the Taft After School Counselors about her future and guys and God. It was pretty special. Very obvious to me a God appointment. You could pray for her as well, her name is Maria.

Tonight we went to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. It was an experience. We were literally in the last row. I suppose that is why they are called the cheap seats.

Tomorrow we head to the Taft House again and take our kids to the zoo and then say good-bye. It will be a tough day.

Keep praying! And thanks for all the comments!

Tuesday in NYC

Today was once again AMAZING! Our plans were altered several different times only to be replaced with events God has prepared for us ahead of time. At the Taft Houses we walked into a water fight that lasted a good 90minutes. We all were drenched to the bone. As a result we missed the Brooklyn Tab because we had to go back to the hostel to changed clothes. At first a bit disappointing, but we did run into Demetri Martin in SOHO and he chatted with us and signed autographs so that made up for it I suppose.

After dinner we went back to the hostel and Daisy and Johnny 5 shared with the team their "INSIGHT-ONSITE" They both did a great job.

Below I asked the team to share a bit on how God used them today or where they saw Jesus at today. After their thoughts you can see some of the photos from today adventure.

• Pop Stargel- Today, as we were boarding and un-boarding different subway trains, I noticed a tad bit of rudeness in allot of the people we came in contact with, as if they only cared about their own agendas and didn’t want to accept any help, words of greeting, or nice conversation. At the end of the day, we got off at our stop by the Hostel, and as we started walking up the stairs, I saw a tired looking woman trying to lug this huge cart up quite a bit of stairs while people just ignored the fact that she needed help and hurried to be on their way. I immediately turned back around and offered her to carry it for her, and she just lit up and gladly accepted. We both worked together to carry the luggage up the stairs. I didn’t think any of it at the time, but looking back, I realize the relief that covered her face when I offered what I was worth. It seems like a small deed, but I remember the amazing feeling of just wanting to help her in any way I could, not for self-fulfillment, but just for the joy in serving. I really felt Jesus working through me and I hope she will or has already accepted him into her life to give her the same joy in serving that he gives me.

• Noogin Monkey- The Taft house came quick today, and it was hot. The news said that today was supposed to be the hottest day of the week, 93 degrees, and with humidity feels like 100 degrees. We load up our packs, supplies, guitars, and walk. Out of the rooms, down the spiraled stairs, out of the hostel, down the block, into the subway, off the subway, across a street, onto a bus, off the bus, up two blocks, down three blocks, and we’re finally there. When we arrived I set down my guitar and peeled off my backpack. Where the straps were there was a pattern of sweat on my green shirt. Needless to say, we were hot, and pooped. To our surprise, as we returned out to the park outside the building, we entered a war zone of water. In the middle of the park is a green turtle and out of its mouth sprays a stream of water. All the kids were filling water bottles and “wetting” everyone else. After a little observation, one of the kids had me in their sites, declared def-con 4, and rocketed towards me with a bottle of water. I managed to stay dry for a while, but at one point I looked over and saw “Toots”, she was in the arms of a big lady being carried over in front of the turtle. Completely in the mercy of this lady, she is forced in front of the stream of water, becoming entirely soaked from head to toe. There was just something about the look on Toots face that made me think of Jesus, like even though she knew she was about to face total annihilation, she was smiling and laughing. The World disappeared for that moment, and she shined, so I know God was in her.

• Dixie Venus-Today we went back to the Taft house it was great to see the kids again. I feel attached to so many of them already and I think it is going to be hard to say bye to them. It’s amazing to see the reflection of Christ in all of their faces and seeing them smile reminds me of how Christ is everywhere! The students and leaders were so wonderful with the kids today. I saw Jesus everywhere today, everyone was having so much fun hanging out with the kids, loving them, just being like Christ to them, it was so great! Finally, I feel like God has been using me the past two days by allowing me to be open enough to build relationships with these kids. I am normally quite reserved in new situations and uncomfortable but I haven’t felt that way at all at the Taft House, I have just loved getting to spend time with the kids and I know that is all God.

• Picante Muchacha-Today the girls (our students and leaders) had a chance to hang out before going to the Taft house. It was awesome because God presented the opportunity for us to get to know each other a bit better. I personally have a hard time letting people in, but God gave me the voice to share some experiences that have shaped who I am.

• Bebo -Christ was present with us today at the Taft house. When we arrived all the kids were splashing around in the sprinkler and we stood on the sidelines watching. However, it didn’t take us long until one of the kids approached us and the water fight began. Some of us were hesitant not wearing the proper clothing, but soon we all gave in and every one was soaked from head to toe having a grand time. We had come with plans to sing and teach but God had his own agenda today that afternoon. The kids were so happy we returned and you could feel the relationships that God was creating.

• The Fab - Today Christ was present while we were at the Taft House. When we first got there the kids were all so excited to see us there again. They were amazed to hear that we actually remembered them and wanted to be with them. When we were about to leave the kids told us how they didn’t want us to leave and even when we told them that we would be there again tomorrow they said they didn’t want us to go. It’s amazing to see how we’re already beginning to build relationships with the kids there and the impact we’re having on them already.

• Daisy - God had used me today to let a little boy know to be positive. A ball was thrown my way and I picked it up and he wanted it. He kept saying he couldn’t do something and I told him to say, “Yes I can!” He kept saying, “No I can’t.” I told him to be positive. He finally said it and I told him not to think that he can’t do stuff or he can’t. I gave him the ball back and he ran away but I thought God worked through me to let him know to be positive.

• Miss Toots- I have had the opportunity to get to know a 16 year old girl named Olivia. She usually sits on the side benches and watches the kids play. After playing with the kids for a while I went over and sat with Olivia and her friend out of utter exhaustion. They didn’t want anything to do with me. So, casual conversation began and slowly the connections clicked. When coming back today to play with the kids today Olivia and her friends came to greet me. These girls are rough, and I have seen God soften their hearts toward me. Pray for Olivia’s heart, that it may be softened toward Christ as well.

• PT Yooper- I have met a boy named Ronnie. Today we were partners in a water fight, and I have to say we were a quite the team. Anyways, the joy I saw in Ronnie’s face when we completed a “mission” was Jesus to me. Getting to know Ronnie has been one of the best highlights of my trip.

• Elmo - God was present in my life today when we were at the Taft House. While we are building relationships with the kids I think we are leading them in the right direction. The joy on their faces today while we were playing in the water with them was amazing. When we were leaving today from the Taft House all the kids didn’t want us to leave. I think it will be hard to say bye to them when we really do have to leave for good. Getting to know all of these children has definitely had an impact on my life already.

• Johnny 5- God was with us today when we arrived at the Bowery, somewhat unprepared and without music. There, when we walked in the door, waiting for us, was a group of singers who were very talented and really did a great job.

Below are a few of the 120 pictures we took today. The first few pictures are from The Bowery Mission. The next set show the water ambush at the Taft House. Then you'll see some of the crafts we did with the kids and some of the manicures that that our team gave to the girls of Taft. There are a few pictures of our dinner and walk through SOHO. We ran into Demetri Martin... very cool celebrity sighting. The last shot is of us hanging in the hostel sharing our INSIGHT-ONSITEs.

enjoy.

Monday Part One

Here are a few pictures from Monday. Read the Part Two and get a little story behind the pictures.