Day Three

Today Harlem was busy with excitement! First a bit of rain touched down on the streets but nothing to deter us from our new job today of connecting with local businesses and distributing JESUS film DVDs to them.

Several good conversations took place as our teams walked 72 blocks distributing DVDs and info cards with information about on-going Bible studies.

The streets came alive today with a few instances of violence and police presence was thick after that, however we were able to complete our work in peace and leave the same.

Thank you for your continued prayers for our final day of ministry as we seek to complete the distribution to all major businesses!

Day Two

Day Two was very productive. We split into three teams. Two teams manned distribution tables with JESUS film and other free materials about the Gospel. The third team engaged folks as they walked around and prayer-walked. Thank you so much for your continued prayers for our team!

Everyone took turns manning tables and prayer-walking. We had several meaningful encounters today and also were able to connect with a few local ministry workers that are seeking similar goals.

We feel like our time here is being blessed as we have had some unique conversations with folks that range from very interested to those only curious. Our hours have been good but the heat and walking have definitely taken their toll on us!

Please pray for continued physical stamina for the coming days as we hit the streets again. Tomorrow we step to the next level of the strategy and will be working on distributing heavier volume of the JESUS film with local merchants and individuals on the streets. Please pray that we might find a person of peace that would help us to make in-roads with the distribution through a local business or organization.

On the Ground (Day One)

Our first day went great in Harlem. We are having quite a bit of an adjustment as we become the minority and getting used to the very different urban culture.

Largely we've been well received, the African community has been very gracious to us and many have stopped to talk and receive a free copy of the Jesus film or a CD with part of the Bible being read to them.

A few of our team have received some negative comments about our presence there but most of them had nothing to do with the nature of our work. Several brief encounters illustrated an interest in and ignorance of the saving work of Jesus Christ.

A new Jesus film DVD was recently released that we're distributing. It has the Jesus film in English, French, and 16 African languages. Almost everyone we've met speaks French or Bambra and they have all received the DVD with much excitement because they can share it with family or friends that speak different dialects.

Each resource we distribute is tied back with a small flyer to our local missionary with email and phone numbers in case they have questions. Today again we will distribute additional materials before moving on to 1-1 ministry on Wednesday.

Please pray for our strength in the balmy weather as we're on the streets for about six hours. Please pray that God will enable us to be aware of the divine appointments He's worked out and the people He has prepared for us to meet.

Specialization Training Begins

We have begun our specialization training for the NYC Harlem Mission Project. In this phase of our weekly training we are focusing on:

• The historical development of Islam
• Basic beliefs of Islam
• How we can share love and peace with Muslims through our words, actions, and prayers.
• The resources available to introduce Muslims to Jesus Christ (Isa)
• How transportation will work in NYC as we travel around the various parts.

Please continue to be in prayer for us as we seek God's direction in our training. Our constant prayer is that God reveals to us the people He's already been working in during our time. We hope to meet new people and share with them our testimony about Jesus Christ during our time in Harlem.

Team Training Underway

We have begun Basic Training and should complete basic by mid-May. We will then begin our specialization training for our project.

Thanks for your interest in supporting us as we travel to Harlem in Summer 2009 to work with West Africa Outreach!

We will be engaging people with the life-change that comes in following Jesus Christ!

Specifically we'll be:

* Prayerwalking in and around Harlem
* Praying with people in shops or street markets.
* Giving small gifts and invitations to a local bible study in their own language.
* Connect West Africans we encounter with the local missionaries.

We appreciate your support in this mission project! DONATE ONLINE!