Jackson Heights Sights

Recently, we had a volunteer couple come to help with our Christmas outreach. The husband took several photos around the Jackson Heights neighborhood where our ministry center is located. All photo credits go to John Logan (fevereventphoto.com).

Very South Asian. You can find bangles, earrings, jewelry, sunglasses, toys, etc. is this small store front.

Punjabi Sikh men.

For all my Nepali/Tibetan friends :) (You know you miss this food and these people! Come visit soon!)

I often walk by this shop and see a large semi truck parked outside that says "Halal Meat". One day they were carrying something from the truck into the store, but I couldn't tell what it was. As I got closer I peered into the back of the semi. It was filled from top to bottom with goat carcasses! Since that first time, I've seen them carrying in whole, frozen carcasses at least two other times.

Shopping at Patel Brothers, the local Indian grocery. I can find all the Indian spices and "things" that I miss here including curry leaves, cardamon seeds, Taj Mahal tea, tea strainers, spice racks, ketchup chips :), and even coconut oil to put in my hair (just kidding...sort of).

After living in India where it's impolite not to honk, this sign makes me chuckle.

Our volunteer and photographer, John, with a new friend.

ESL students showing off their candy canes and ornaments that our volunteer team gave them after sharing the story of the candy cane.

Under the 7 train.

This shop's set up takes me back to India in a heart beat. Fuzzy blankets and decorative bed covers are stacked from floor to ceiling inside.

If you know me at all, you know that I'm hitting up these vendors to get my biriyani fix on a regular basis!

Rockaways in the Winter

Rockaways in the winter is, well...colder. With the tourists gone, our little beachy neighborhood is left to the locals and the surfers. Yep, people are still surfing this time of year. Winter is apparently the best time of year to catch good waves around these parts. Sometimes, I'll be getting coffee at the local bagel shop and see a surfer come into the shop in only a wet suit to warm up and get a coffee! Only in the Rockaways!

I don't eat much Italian ice in the winter, but man is it good in the summer.

The best little taco, Italian ice, hippie stand ever. Sadly it's closed for the season.

There are run down shacks and houses sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. It always makes me wonder who lived here or stayed here in the summers. If these shacks could talk.. haha!

And what would Queens be without the good ole MTA bus system? God bless those bus drivers. What a hard job!

*Photo Credits - John Logan fevereventphoto.com

Christmas in NY

For the first time in my life, I'm able experience NYC at Christmastime. The Christmas lights in Manhattan are gorgeous! See...

And a few more I took during the day...

Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center Tree

Bryant Park Tree

It's definitely a different feel here during the Christmas season. My three tips for tourists visiting the city in December are:

1. Skip Times Square! It's extra crazy this time of year with the influx of tourists.

2. Visit Rockefeller Center to see the tree, but go ice skating in Bryant Park - it's cheaper.

3. Rest your legs and warm up in the lower level of Rockefeller Center or the NY Public Library right next to Bryant Park.

My View

Advanced English as a Second Language night class. This is our most popular class and the class where we talk about Jesus often - the students bring up the topic! Pray that that would continue.

Muslim Day Parade in Manhattan last month.

This is one of my most devoted students who is leaving next month to return to her home country for five months. I almost cried when she told me she was leaving so soon! She knows many Bible stories. Pray that she would know meet other Believers in her home country and come to know Jesus as Lord.

Our men's ESL advanced class and a few volunteers from Florida.

Some of our women ESL students with a volunteer from Florida.

Florida volunteer team ladies :)

A local South Asian pastor took the Florida volunteer team to this temple located just few blocks from the South Asian Center. Many of our students attend this temple weekly and sometimes daily. So many Gods! Please pray they would know the one, true God.

Did you know?

This month Muslims around the world are celebrating Ramadan. To read more about Ramadan and how to pray check out this site:

http://www.30-days.net/

Welcome to Jackson Heights AKA "Little India"

This is my "home away from home" so to speak. When I'm missing my Bangalore days, I visit this area of the city. This is also where I'll be working :)

I Made It!

I'm finally here in NYC! It's great to be back. Would you believe me if I told you I live a few blocks from this glorious sight?

This is not what I expected to see when I thought about moving back to NYC, but what a blessing! I'm living in a beach house turned missionary housing. Summer volunteer teams and Urban Impact folks have spent a lot of time fixing this place up and it's looking great! Two things that I was really praying for when getting ready to transition back to city life were a park of some sort nearby and a place where I could run. This is better than a park and one of the longest boardwalks in the country runs right along this beach which is perfect for running. The neighborhood is an interesting mix of locals, people visiting the beach and surfers. Apparently, this is a surfing hot spot especially in the winter. I couldn't have asked for a cooler neighborhood to live in. I make sure to venture out to the shore each day for awhile. Today I enjoyed my new favorite drink while sitting on the boardwalk:

Yesterday I decided to venture out a bit. I was a little scared that I would not remember how to navigate the city life, but it turned out to be quite the opposite experience. Unlike life in India, people spoke English, I could read all the street signs and public transportation was reliable. It was fun to navigate the subways again and visit some places I used to frequent several years ago.

As far as work stuff goes, this is actually a low time for UI because of Ramadan, but there will be a few events later this month.

Right now you can pray for:

-chances to meet and connect with my neighbors and people in the community

-for Muslims in Queens to have dreams and visions of Isa (Jesus) especially as they search for more spiritual things this month

-upcoming outreach events this month and in September

-smooth transition for me and my roommate as we settle into city life and ministry

-financial support - I have a little less than $4000 left to raise to meet my goal of $12000 for the year! I'm really close!