Got Blood?

Last Saturday I was in Brooklyn leading the Bus outreach for New York City Relief. Unlike most Saturday's they had a drug free parade. There were thousands of people that came through the park that day. The FDNY had a station set up handing out smoke detectors and giving people demonstrations on home fire safety. The local Planned Parenthood were handing out condoms and giving quizzes to see how much the general public know about HIV/Aids. I missed one question. Of course, this allowed her to give her spiel on safe sex. I listened. There were also people trying to help the elderly get better health coverage. As usual we had a farmer's market within 100 feet and the ladies from the church across the street selling clothing and giving the money to some of there missionaries. Parked right behind us was this big R.V. converted into a blood drive on wheels. I was wondering why they didn't have anyone standing in line to give blood, from what I thought it was a simple process that didn't affect you at all. Boy, was I ever wrong! So, me being the great guinea pig I am, I ventured over and asked how long it would take, "about 1/2 hour". That is manageable, I went and made sure all was fine at the bus and came back to donate blood.
First, they gave me a questionnaire with questions about sex and orientation, not in any certain order. My curiosity got the best of me and I asked "why so many questions about male on male stuff?". I must have sounded guilty "Sir, we are not trying to single you out by any means." After she said that I didn't know how to reply, I chuckled and said that "Don't get me wrong I am married." We went through an awkward silence and then she said "what do you guys do over at your bus?" I told her the scoop and how much I love Jesus and his call in Matthew 25, and also about the sheep and the goats. She replied, "Baaaaaa." She then put me on the table and put this BIG needle in my arm, not how I had envisioned it. I thought maybe they would take one of those needles with a container on one side and pull out a dropper full of blood. Nope, not at all. No wander there wasn't a line waiting outside. In fact, I was the only one in there the entire time. Finally after I had given my blood away I got a free shirt and bottle of water. Walking out of the R.V. I almost fell, I went back to my team at our bus and they told me to go lay down I looked like Casper. I did for a few minutes using my new shirt as my pillow. Yesterday, I got a notice in the mail saying I could donate blood every 56 days! Sorry, not me. --Austin

A Little Miracle

I want to share a story about a miracle that happened in my friends' life that we got to witness firsthand. James and Joni, long time friends of ours, were 20 weeks pregnant with their second daughter when they found out there were complications. The ultrasound showed a mass on the baby's side and the baby's heart was turned and enlarged. They didn't know what the mass was but decided they would do a c-section at 39 weeks in case surgery was needed immediately. We began to pray, along with other family. One night as Austin and I prayed for them we sensed the Holy Spirit doing a work on baby Cozette and prayed that Joni would even feel it inside her. Sure enough the next day Joni told me that the baby was going crazy inside of her about the same time we were praying and she couldn't even go to sleep. But from that point they began to have a peace that everything would be fine.
I was able to go to Arkansas (without the boys!!) to help as they had no idea what was ahead of them. Well, Cozette was born Aug. 27th at 7lb. 14 oz. She appeared to be completely healthy aside from the mass. She was taken to Children's hospital and as they began to run tests they soon found out that the mass was completly vascular and they would just watch it and not need to do surgery right away if ever. And... her heart was perfectly fine, not turned or enlarged at all!!! Our God is amazing and DOES answer prayer. We have to trust him and believe that he is who he says he is! Please pray that the mass continues to shrink and disappear without surgery.

More Adventures...

Here we are at Battery Park in Manhattan.
Behind us is the Hudson River.

This was our last trip to the beach for the summer.
I can't say I'll miss the sand but isn't it beautiful?!

Peering into Lake Surprise at Watchung Reservation, hoping not to find any 'surprises'.
Quintin is trying with all his might to get free so he can play in that water!

The Need is too Great...for us

I went on the bus today with Austin to Chelsea Park in Manhattan. We left the boys with a friend (we trade babysitting when we want to go on the bus with our husbands.) After praying and worshiping on our way into the city, we pulled up to the busy park and were greeted by a team ready to serve on the bus. First, I must say what a miracle it is every week to have a parking spot on this busy street. Praise God! When we pulled in there were homeless people already waiting for the bus. When I stepped off the bus I was immediately approached for some help from a woman who was pregnant and wanted some type of assistance. Another lady wanted a blanket for the nights that are quickly becoming chilly here. As I listened to their needs I felt overwhelmed with sorrow and thought I might start crying right there. But I knew I had to suck it up and try to help. We had some clothes on the bus that were donated by someone who cleaned out their closet. As I sat at the back of the bus organizing these clothes which were mostly womens (not helpful at this location but they would be tomorrow in Brooklyn) one man after another came asking for pants, shirts, jackets, underwear, shoes. I sadly had to tell them sorry not this week. Underwear... how humiliating must that be to have to ask for a pair of underwear? Or to take a pair of women's pants and jacket so you could have a clean change of clothes.
If it breaks my heart and probably yours too as you're reading this, think how God must feel to see his children hurting like this. His children. We try to meet there physical needs but sometimes we can't. We can offer them soup, a drink, an ear to listen, a referral to other missions, a prayer, and the hope of Jesus Christ. The need is too great for us to handle, but not for God. --Darcy

We Love Volunteers!

One of Austin's first days on the streets working, he comes home and says "I got this guy named Vinny at my Brooklyn spot. If I need anything Vinny can do it." I say, "Hold on...what do you mean you got this guy named Vinny. We're missionaries now. You can't have a guy named Vinny and what does Vinny do?"
Well, come to find out Vinny is a new Christian who lives in Brooklyn and meets the bus each week in Brooklyn as well as the Manhattan spot. He volunteers his time every week to come and help. Vinny speaks Spanish and God is using him to break through the language barrier we sometimes encounter.

FYI: NYCR actually depends on volunteers for day to day operation. We have many church groups that come and serve. There are also several people who volunteer their days on a regular basis at the Hope Center and on the Relief Bus. Some of our volunteers have been serving for more than 5 years!

We are so eager to have as many of our friends as possible to come and volunteer for a day or two on the bus. Let us know if you want to come!

-Darcy

Testimony Time

I just finished giving my testimony to the board of my Ministry here, New York City Relief. Yeah, the Almighty Board, the long table, suits, shoes that shine brighter than Willard Scott's head, sweet hair do's done by women named Flo, the whole works. Where our ministry is located is definitely not considered the Hampton's but, when the board comes we have Mercedes, Chrysler 300's, cars that I can't pronounce the name, line the block and people from all over our hood are gawking at our car show.
Though seriously, what a blessing to be able to share what God has done. Scary though for me, I feel so ashamed of my past sometimes. It took me (with my hard head) so long to know that the Lord loves me more than I will ever imagine. When we actually grasp how much our creator loves us our whole world changes. AA (alcoholics Anonymous) has a saying that we need to change our people, places, and things. These things change automatically when we figure out how much 'in love' our Father is with us. Thank You Lord for continually loving me, no matter what! My testimony time ended with me being prayed for by the people that serve on the board. I feel so blessed to have these 'major players' in business all over the East Coast praying for me. I shall continually serve...thinking and living out Proverbs 3: 5&6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." -Austin