Anabella sat in the waiting area enjoying her blow pop when she heard Kerri call out, "Anabella, they're ready for you!"  She strolled in, lollipop sticking out of her mouth.  I reached for her elbow and quickly led her back out! Anabella was the first to interview for this year's internships. I asked her to think about her presentation and what she would do differently if she were in an office, interviewing for a job.  She frowned and asked if she had to throw away her brand new blow pop.  I told her she could do as she wished and she ran to the trash can to throw it away.  I congratulated her on a wise decision and invited her to come back in to our makeshift office.  As a freshman in high school, Anabella is interviewing to participate in our Graffiti 2 After school internship program.  Our goal is to provide an experience that mirrors a real job interview. As we interview, we take small breaks to compliment students on their strengths and help guide areas that need improvement.  

This week we have also scheduled family interviews.  Due to limited space and staff, we are unable to accept all the students that have applied to be a part of Graffiti 2 Kids.  Family interviews allow time for program directors and families to discuss G2's values, expectations, and questions regarding programs.  We are stress the importance of parental involvement as well as student responsibility.  Along with parents, students sign an agreement committing to uphold Graffiti's values.  Ruben was very attentive throughout the interview and answered questions quite impressively! He was very excited to sign his first document!

October 2 is coming up on us fast.  Please pray for our staff as we finish interviews an complete the decision making process! Get ready, our kids are sure to provide tons of fun stories!!  

As missionaries with Graffiti 2 Community Ministries, a non profit organization, we are to raise funds to support our position.  When I first heard about the position, I knew immediately that it was where I was called to serve.  When I read the email stating I would have to raise funds for my salary, I asked, "say what?"  God has shown me that He has a plan for me to be here and He will provide.  To be fully funded, I need to raise $3,000 a month.  As the new kid on the block, I am learning how to do the work, share the need, invite others to participate, and Trust God.  

How You Can Help

Be a prayer warrior 
Ask the Father to work in the hearts of the families we minister to in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx.  Also, please pray that He would move in the hearts of partners to help support Graffiti 2 missionaries financially. 

Commit to Give
Make a direct impact on my ability to continue ministering in the South Bronx by giving a monthly gift.  

Build a Team
Share about Graffiti 2 and build a team to send monthly support.  Sunday School classes and small groups, work out tribe, office crew, etc.  Find some friends who are like minded in their desire to make a difference and run with it! Individuals can send funds directly to Graffiti 2 to receive credit for tax purposes. 

Please make checks out to: 
Graffiti 2 Community Ministries
(please write "Children's ministry" in the notes section)

Mail to: 
P.O. Box 541559
​Bronx, NY 10454

Click on the link below to give online.
Please enter "Children's Ministry" in the notes section. 

Living in New York has some amazing perks.  Not Central Perk.  It doesn't exist.  Quite the let down for this Friends fan. But it does have other perks.  There are countless parks one can go and people watch, read, and reflect.  Museums filled with priceless art and history that are just a train ride away.  However, sometimes a girl just wants to catch a flick.  Back home, I would meet my mom and brother for a midnight showing or call Liz and meet at the one good theatre with the really good seats. This summer, I found myself without someone to run to the movies with.  I finally got up the guts to venture out on my own.  I found a spectacular movie theatre near Lincoln Square that felt more like Universal Studios than a Cinemark and bought myself a ticket to watch Wonder Woman.  I was at least 30 minutes into the movie by the time I realized I was in the wrong theatre.  By then, I was hooked.  There was no way I was walking out! The 80's kid in me still gets chills when Optimus Prime rolls up.  To those who know me, it will not come as a surprise that I cried during the film.  However, I would like to share the moment that brought me to tears then and a little again now!  Throughout the movie, there is a constant fight between good and evil.  In an action packed battle scene between Optimus Prime and his enemy, Optimus looks directly at him and in that booming, authority filled, steady voice asks, Did you forget who I am? Somewhere deep in my soul I hear the Lord say to me, Did you forget who I AM? Pretty heavy for a Transformers movie, right? Nonetheless, there I was.  Alone in the theatre, tears in my eyes, hands in the air, praising the Lord for who HE IS. The reason for my escape to the movies that day was that I had many things weighing on my heart and just wanted to get away.  I was worried about fundraising for my position with Graffiti 2, I was scared that I would never find a group of my own in this giant city, the list could go on and on. Yet, even as I hid in the dark, He was there and He reminded me that He is my provider.  He has no limits.  I want to have trust without borders.  

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21