yo,

yesterday night, one of our interns got a gig at this comedy place in Chinatown. There were other Muscians and comedians! some of them were good and some of them were bad..lol But she stole the show! her name popped up everywhere that whole night.

Even though it was a comedy show....by the end of the night, i was pretty sad. Just from their comedic acts, you can see what their lives were like. The comedians had to bring themselves down or bring other people down just to get laughs. The need for cussing and sex to get laughs. The main performer, she was the saddest of them all. She was a very angry person. Her whole comedic act was bringing herself down and bringing others down. Instead of bringing laughter, she just flowed out negativity and anger. At the end of her skit, i wanted to run after her and give her a hug and a KGP..haha

Ive seen many comedy skits on Comedy Central. But to actually see ordinary people perform...its different.

....even though it was a night full of vulgarity, im glad i went. One, because i got to see our intern perform her songs. Two, i really saw the great need for people. Yesterday night, i got a glimpse of NYC... US.....even the world.

It gave me more incentive to reach out to people. A greater passion to let people know there is more to life than sex, drugs, relationships, drinking, partying. There is meaning to life. There is love. There is grace.

I want to be a part of the world and yet not be OF the world. How can we be a part of changing culture, and yet still BE with people?

BTW, happy independence day! Its the day the US got their independenc! But it also makes me remember the day I got saved. The day i was set free from the bondage of sin. To me, it gives this day more meaning.

well....

i realize its like the 25th day and im only on my third post hahaha. my BAD!

I didn't want to reveal too much because i wanted to talk about my experience in person. But i shall tell you what ive been doing =0)

A lot of training in the various techniques of evangelism, the importance of discipleship. Even cultural training. Like how our families have shaped us through out our lives. seems obvious, right? "DUH danielle, of course your family shapes you"

The most important part of knowing our family is how your own upbringing and family values is brought into Christ's family. Some of those values shouldn't even be brought into Christ family. Something I had to evaulate very closely and how much unwanted "jank" ive brought into my walk with God. Also, believe it or not, family values can cause us to be perfectionists. I didn't even think i was a perfectionist until i saw the "infection symptoms. "

We went to Staten Island to evangelise in the projects. It was an awesome experience. I was partnered up with the youth pastor. The way he went from door to door and expressed the gospel was ammmazzing. It inspired me

A few weeks ago, a guy named Sy Rogers came to lecture us. He travels around the world to talk about sexual sin. He use to be a homosexual and almost did a full transformation to a woman. His lecture was about 6 hours lonnng but it was very informative. Of course...God spoke to me in that message.
When he spoke, it was obvious he use to be gay. But his lecture was great and a great eye opener

well....more to come =)

its ONLY been 9 days and God is totally riping me apart..lol
I made a list of expectations or things i wanted to learn on this trip prior to coming. Almost all of them God has challenged and tested me in.
Ill admit...it sucks and its not fun when God is stretching me.
I talked to a staff member about it and she said its like that. Its not until the last week, i will truly be transformed and will have fun on project..lol im like GREEAAT....3 more weeks of stretching and molding!

Im learning so much about myself.. I truly did not expect this transformation to start so soon.

I started womens time, discipleship, and a few "digging deep" conversations. Truly eye opening. Its also giving me an example of strong, virtuous, loving women. I hope one day to be as a strong as them. The one thing im praying for is the compassion and love Paul had for his brothers. In order to acheive this...i gotta get a heart transformation..hhaha

Today...we were riding on the subway to our Campus site. Im sure you guys remember Nicholas Li. Some stranger asked him about his ring, it led into this conversation. Before he left, Nick gave him a KGP. He seemed thankful for it and he was willing to read it. When he sat back down, another guy asked him for KGP. He shared a little bit of the gospel then the guy left. I was sooo encouraged by this. It all started off with a ring..and God just made it into something more. Two seeds were planted before we got on campus....its hard to imagine that this kind of planting can happen daily if we trust and follow God daily. AHH..the thought of it..lol

i gotta go to sleeeeeeeep ZZZZzzZzzZZ

I miss you and luv u all!!

<3
Danielle

hey,

its my 6th day in NYC. My homesickness is dying down, its not as intense as before =)

This has been the hardest first week ive ever had besides my freshman year in HS and first 2 yrs of college..lol I feel so helpless without God. Its hard in the fact that im homesick and im having difficulty interacting. NYC took the extroversion right out of me!!

There are only 6 People in the epic track, which should make it easier to know people. There are only 3 other girls and they are all from California. Its a totally different humor, culture, and conversation style. Plus, im not that girly haha. its like i gotta dig for gold to find commonalty.

Im totaly taking advantage of the staff here. Im trying to absorb as much as i can from them before i leave..haha we don't have staff, so gotta take advantage!

I love how NYC is so accesible. Its so diverse. All i gotta do is walk or take the subway. I will admit, most of the time im tired of walking. My calves are building up in strength. i swear, i will have great legs when i get back bwuaha

I haven't started ministry stuff. These last 6 days have been training and a lot of exploration and a lot of eating.

i gotta get ready for church...talk to you guys real soon again =)

<3,
Danielle

From earlier today, hahaa. My thoughts as I head over to NYC:

Right now im on the train to NYC. Im actually really comfortable and cozy right now, haha.

I just read my good-bye note from FFX project-ers, and I looked like a fool laughing by myself. I liked the drawings and all them "dipsets", bwuahaha. Not only was it funny but it was encouraging to read.

Im not going to lie, there is a lot going through my head right now. Im actually more nervous, even more fearful, than Iam excited. Its not fear of evangelizing or meeting new people or being away from home. Its that im completely blind to what God has planned for me. I prayed a lot about what is to come. It seems like God is always telling me to have faith and trust Him that He will guide me.

I know at the end of this project, I won’t be the same person. Experiencing God, its impossible to not change. But i know in order for me to change, God is going to have to break me, pick, take things away in my life. Its making me uneasy because its going to be challenging! lol, but of course i want to change.