Friday, December 9, 2016

The World in NYC

Sylvanus - reaching Nepalese in NYC
I have been blessed in so many ways in my 53 plus years of life. Today I am sitting in a coffee shop in NYC doing some writing, prepping for meetings with some of our partners in P2 Missions and reflecting. Maybe it is the Christmas season. Maybe it is that time of year when 9 years ago my mom was running towards heaven as she battled cancer. Maybe it is just that I am a melancholy sap at times. Whatever the reason, I find myself sitting at a table for 6 with 4 other people I have never met before and likely will never see again. Some will engage in conversation while others drink their coffee, scour their cellphone for information or connection, and others simply have other thing on their minds or jobs to do.

People from around the world are here. Glancing through the coffee shop I see Colombians, Nepalese, Chinese, Persian and many others who my untrained eye cannot really identify. All people with stories, families, jobs, hobbies, hurts and sorrows. And people who are loved by God Himself. I am here to connect with many who serve these people through all kinds of ministries. Men and women who have given their lives to serve and reach the people of NYC with the gospel of Jesus Christ. People are here because they love Jesus and they love the people of NYC and I am honored to be a infinitesimal part of their work. The longer I am here the more I see God at work all over this place and I am grateful for the churches that will partner with the planters here in this great city.

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.  John 3:16 -  The Message