VIDEO

All Credit Goes to Miss Candace Cody

Speech?

For those who were not there for my 5-minute, almost tearing up speech at church last Sunday. P.S. I DIDN'T CRY--- AND I (think) I made sense! Plus, there were pictures! 
-----------------

Praise the Lord! It is great to see your beautiful faces again! Before I start, let’s bow our heads in a quick word of prayer:

Dear God, thank you for bringing us here this Sunday morning. I ask that what I say will be God breathed and dictated by Your will. I also ask that I do not start crying and mumbling up words like before, but let Your Will be done and let these words touch someone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

So, as I prayed just now…I will try to be as conscious and clear as possible before the tears come. I have brought with me a few pictures of our events--- these are not all of them, but it is just to show you all some highlights!

So, since my computer and windows media maker are...evil. You can see something that my beautiful Candance did:) HERE!

This is what I did: I helped in creating a resource card which lists counseling, shelters, food, and other necessities for vulnerable youth in the city. This means that if someone sees a runaway, homeless teen, or a kid who just needs help getting through school--- this card will be given to them so that they may find help with good organizations that care. This took a lot of work and time and we went through over 50 different organizations and services. We even created an online database for further resources and information.

Our other task was to assist the Mont Lawn City Camp with their Pre-Camp, Sleep away Camp, and Summer Camp. Our focus was mainly in the South Bronx, where we tried to make lasting connections in the community so that these kids would come to a safe and loving place instead of being taken up by gangs, drugs, or any other negative environments. From there, we took them for a week to the Poconos in Pennsylvania for a free camp offered to inner city kids. There were half the number of kids (only 86) and some miscommunication with the camp, which left us with no real jobs there, but we came in knowing the kids already from Pre-Camp and also relieving the counselors who have already had 3 weeks filled with over 160 kids each week. After that, we brought them back home and continued to make connections within the community to ensure parents knew there was a safe and comfortable place where they could leave their kids in trusted hands, as well as bringing these kids to Christ and letting Him transform their lives.

I saw some tough lives and heard some scary and uncomfortable stories, but in the end…I tried to connect with these kids personally so that they knew someone loved them and that would be God.

However, it is safe to say that when I began my internship…I literally had no idea what I was going to do. We at first had over 6 different roles and jobs, and from there there was confusion and frustration--- but I couldn't have asked for a better team or friends. Still, I came in with this great concept of changing systems and saving lives— learning facts about human trafficking and fighting against that! What God had in store was…something a little more personal.

Let me start with the basics. We were put on the LOGOFF – Vulnerable People Team. 

What is LOGOFF? LOGOFF stands from Local, Green, Organic, Fair Trade, and Slave Free.

This links to our concept of acting locally but thinking globally. Basically, we as consumers affect a great number of systems. We outsource our needs, we put a bunch of pesticides and vaccines into everything, then we either pay the people actually doing these job little to nothing or just making them indentured servants to a corrupt hierarchy. This can be with food, clothes, technology, or anything that can be exploited and abused.

Which leads me to one of the photos which has us dressed up like Mario from the video games. Now, most if not all, our electronics that have any kind of 4G or wireless capability has coltan in it. It is a kind of precious metal that is usually found in the Congo and rain forests like that. Now, what happens to an enormous consumer nation like us is that we outsource that work and need to militia controlled and war stricken places like the Congo and then force them to not only turn on each other but also profit off their demise just so our cellphones could have 4G. Now, before NYCUP, I would just feel really guilty right now and want to fling my cellphone out the window, but that does not help anyone.

So what we did was protest, as a unit, to Nintendo to look at their supply chains and figure out what went wrong! Because just like how people lose their hands in a hunt for diamonds in Africa, so do people go mining in dangerous and unsafe environment for little to no pay...if they are even cared for at all. This lack of concern and acknowledgment allows those with money and power to exploit others in order to maintain our levels of satisfaction.
The problem is that these big corporations may even want to change their exploitation routes, but when you don’t even know who your workers/slaves are…how can you change that? That is why we need to care for each other…because it is when we assume that every person has someone to care for and love them that we forget that every person needs help and is weak.

Coming back to thinking and acting globally, let us turn to John 4:42.

"And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world."

We all know this story and we all know the concept, but Jesus was acting in levels we couldn't possibly grasp at first glance. He comes to this woman at a personal level--- talking to her and her alone… but then it is from that encounter she goes into relational…telling her husband/s and family. And from that one talk, an entire village is saved…

So, I ask you, as I asked myself, where is my village?
It can be your school, your workplace, your next door neighbor, or that kid that bullies you on the bus. When we realize that every person is a unique individual…we can connect personally, and then relationally, and with that kind of connection---we change systems!

And yes, we can talk to people and we can comfort…but we need to have words filled with LIVING WATER! What did Jesus say to her in verse 10:

"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."

Getting to people on a personal level…involves God, because only God can give you living water and with that water, you can quench this longing thirst of an entire village! I want to quench that thirst on my campus, because quite frankly…people are thirsty, they are just drinking from the wrong wells!

God has something to say about everything. He had something to say to me, and it was only through communing with brothers and sisters in Christ and reading from the Word could I truly understand what He wanted from me.

Another thing I learned at NYCUP, I do not want to be Atlas. We are not God. Atlas, in mythology was a Greek titan punished by Zeus to separate the skies from the earth. Now, his punishment was not the actually duty, but the fact that every second of every moment he was being crushed by it. He, however, did not have the strength to keep his head high and he certainly could not let it crush him…but it is the painful shaking of inevitable failure that was his punishment. We are not Atlas because we are not punished with that burden. Quite frankly, with all my heart and soul, I want to save every child in the world from harm. I want to keep my friends happy and safe. I want to protect every home and family…but I am one person made incomplete because only when I am fully communing and connecting with the full body of Christ, which is my fellow brother and sister,…as well as fully connecting with God, can I realize that...this is God’s job and I am just a vessel.

That is what vulnerability is…accepting that we are not complete by ourselves.

To understand that, we must see the roles God plays to give us this directive to be vulnerable to each other and Him.

God as Creator: Genesis 1:27

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

See, God created HUMANS in His divine image/// and we are inherently vulnerable. We are vulnerable to anything physical like storms and earthquakes, but much more on that...we are not perfect in thought and action. So, admitting that...means giving that weakness to Christ and finding strength in Him. God had a divine plan and purpose for us... that includes us coming to Him willingly and saying, "Hey, Daddy...I need you."

God as Reveler: Matthew 22:37-40

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

God is Love. And if we are made in the image of God, are we not inherently the image of love? We are to love others as Christ loves us, without bias and judgment; for it is only together that we reflect the image of God. If it is both man and woman that creates this image of God, how much more does that strength with the Church coming together with every person into one Body of Christ create the PERFECT Will and image of God?

God as Actor: Hebrew 4:14-16

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Jesus links us to God. God decided He would come in the form that we know...man. Jesus was literally the most vulnerable person, because not only was He stripped of His divine status, but He came as a child into this world. Are not children the most susceptible to being exploited? However, we see that Jesus had His disciples...and even then He had His closest three. So, now we must ask...do we allow others to be vulnerable around us? Are we allowing ourselves to be vulnerable?

God as Sovereign: Psalm 118:8

"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man."

Vulnerability does not necessarily mean crying at every touch or getting emotional with every stranger! It means letting walls and blockades down and letting others in. Most importantly, from the spiritual perspective, it is realizing that since we are in the image of God and only together as a unified body of people are we reflecting God, not one single human can be God. That is God's job. God has been doing it since before time and will continue until after we cease to live on this earth. 

This leads me to my personal revelation with God. I have never called God…Daddy. Sure, I have called him Father--- but even then that gives me the image of a stern and cautious parental figure. One who is ready to use rod and staff on me…much like my earthly father.

But, when I was going into NYCUP, my thought process was: okay--- we are helping people out. We are taking care of these kids. These kids who have seen terrible things…people get shot…broken families and homes…lies and suffering. They can be vulnerable with me, because I am strong and willing to comfort. And God said, “Princy, that’s my job. You are simply a vessel for my healing. By the way, we need to talk. I want to see you vulnerable with me…”

And I basically said, “HAHA. Yeah. No.”

But the thing is, when God wants something…He will make it happen. When it is according to His Will, your body, your thoughts, your reactions and actions…simply align with that subconsciously.

You see, me and Jesus…we had this door that we knew held parts of me that were dark and scary…perhaps a bit evil and cruel. But we put that behind a door, locked it, and I told Him to keep walking past it like I did. At NYCUP, He kicked down that door…and boy, did the floodgates open.

He used people around me in a way I did not think was possible…and though me and God…we are still working on this relationship, it is good to not only have a good support system filled with strong and faithful brothers and sisters, but it also good to not have a blockade building inside me.

This helped me hang out with these kids. This helped me deal with not yelling at the parents who I saw just treating their kids like trash when they got home from camp. This helped me deal with the girl telling me about her pregnancies and abortions and about how in her school it is a fad or trend to get pregnant before the 8^th grade. So for me, I was the woman at the well…listening to Jesus take me into a personal journey I did not ever go on before. And yes, that water tasted so very sweet.

So, where is the village I am running back to tell about Christ?

Well, with God’s grace and in accordance to His Will, I hope to create a foundation for a Christian sorority on my campus. Our school is neither a big party school nor a big Greek school, but I walk every day past girls who debase themselves and treat each other so poorly for little recognition from boys dressed up like men. I truly believe there are great woman leaders and believers at Hofstra, but they just need a place to find that without having to think they are not “Christian enough” or that there is judgment in any way.

What I loved about NYCUP is that each intern was different…different races, ethnic background, different life styles and economic standing…and also in different Christian walks. No one way is better or correct, but the thing we really need to understand is that sometimes people jump into Christianity or Christ with the systematic thought process…they do not experience Him personally… and I truly believe that every person’s relationship with Christ is different… but He loves us all equally and passionately.

So to end, and also to stop venting/ranting, I want to thank you for believing in me. Thank you for praying and giving and caring…because this summer is not life changing…because I am not that old or have lived a long life yet…but it has changed me, and I truly know it is for the better.

I just ask that you keep Mont Lawn City Camp in your prayers…these kids in the South Bronx, and these interns and staff I have had the privilege to serve with. Also, keep me in your prayers…because we are to be a support group and a body of Christ to each. 
1 Corinthians 12: 12-13
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."

Thank You and May God bless you with these words!

Day 34 - 38: The Dog Days Are Over...

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come. 

Thy will be done in earth, 

As it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive them that trespass against us. 

And lead us not into temptation, 

But deliver us from evil. 

For thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

So, it has begun. My long, excruciating vent on what has happened to me these last 38 days (I am technically 11 days late on this but suck it up, I needed to relax)...and it kinda followed me a little beyond that...

I was on the LOGOFF - Vulnerable People Team. What did that mean? Quite frankly, I did not even know.

The myth...

When Ismatu, Jessi, Sian, Anna, Sherin, and I came together...we were six very different people. Sure, we had some similarities--- we are all female (or at least I hope so... :P JK) and around the same age. However, we came from different ethnic backgrounds (except Shereen and I) and different spiritual walks...but we all wanted to do something great at NYCUP. And...I think, no, I know we did!

What we accomplished:

NYCUP RESOURCE CARD for Vulnerable Youth!

          Looking over tons of organizations to find the right ones

          Interviewing, e-mailing, calling, typing...

          Creating a logo and name, style and design

          Ready to give out to any youth in need in the city!

Volunteering and Leading in MONT LAWN CITY CAMP

          Coming in super hyped and excited-

          Learning that you are not Jesus with these kids...

          These kids...need to act like kids, but they don't...because sometimes- they can't.

          Loving on them as much as possible.

          Not having defined roles as camp-

          Frustration and anger. 

          Just seeing them smile and love you back...that's enough.

Now, what I learned---honestly--- is that everyone is vulnerable. We need to admit that. 

So, we were supposed to do Psalms of Freedom (a while ago)...but I chose "Prayers for the Vulnerable" since I actually worked with that theme this internship (I am supposed to do another one...). We were asked... define God as the Creator, Reveler, Actor, and Sovereign with passages and such pertaining to the theme. This is what I had to say (not exactly because I kinda forgot so hopefully I get my point across):

God as Creator: Genesis 1:27
See, God created HUMANS in His divine image/// and we are inherently vulnerable. We are vulnerable to anything physical like storms and earthquakes, but much more on that...we are not perfect in thought and action. So, admitting that means giving that weakness to Christ and finding strength in Him. God had a divine plan and purpose for us... that includes us coming to Him willingly and saying, "Hey, Daddy...I need you."

God as Reveler: Matthew 22:37-40
God is Love. And if we are made in the image of God, are we not inherently the image of love? We are to love others as Christ loves us, without bias and judgment; for it is only together that we reflect the image of God. If it is both man and woman that creates this image of God, how much more does that strength with the Church coming together with every person into one Body of Christ create the PERFECT Will and image of God?

God as Actor: Hebrew 4:14-16
Jesus links us to God. God decided He would come in the form that we know...man. Jesus was literally the most vulnerable person, because not only was He stripped of His divine status, but He came as a child into this world. Are not children the most susceptible to being exploited? However, we see that Jesus had His disciples...and even then He had His closest three. So, now we must ask...do we allow others to be vulnerable around us? Are we allowing ourselves to be vulnerable?

God as Sovereign: Psalm 118:8

Vulnerability does not necessarily mean crying at every touch or getting emotional with every stranger! It means letting walls and blockades down and letting others in. Most importantly, from the spiritual perspective, it is realizing that since we are in the image of God and only together as a unified body of people are we reflecting God, not one single human can be God. That is God's job. God has been doing it since before time and will continue till after we cease to live on this earth. 

So, this is what I (or you) need to pray:

Father, Daddy, Leader, and Lover... I pray that I open myself to You. I lay down my walls and open my doors wide to Your embrace. In this act, may I be more like You and in that action and thought comfort my fellow brothers and sisters, so that they too may fall into Your ever outstretching arms. God, I need You. I want You. It is time that I realize that You...in all Your perfection, want me too. So, Lord, let this be a new step in becoming vulnerable to You, to every vessel You come to me in, and to Your perfect divine Will. I am worth it. Thank You. Amen.

That was something hard I had to admit...because being worth it doesn't mean you deserve it. It means that a price has been paid for you and the blood on the cross is full proof of that. Sure, for us, that sounds free...but would you have been willing to take the Cross? Or the better question is...are you still trying to carry a Cross that is crushing you?

NYCUP was hard. Painful. Exhausting...but nothing worth having is free and easy! 

"I was in American apparel today and it is all fair wage, sweatshop labor free, made in USA. So I get all excited then see I have to pay $60 for a pair of shorts...I think never! I can get cheaper stuff else where, and that is our problem. Our mindset is that it isn't worth the price, but when it is fairly waged and involved 23 sewers working for fair pay... why wouldn't that be worth something???"

Now...for the hard and tough...personal part... I hate crying. I hate showing weakness, because to me...emotion is weakness. And even then, for a long time, emotionally connecting to a song or a certain message in church was fine, because that was being emotional with God. I realize now...I was just being emotionally to God and not with Him. Because as much as I suffered and cried and hurt, God felt that so many times over because He is and always will be...my Daddy. 

So when I wrote that poem, it was kind of a revelation to me that...that door me and Jesus kept walking past HAD to be kicked in. And when God wants something to happen, it will happen...and to some extent...I wanted to relieve myself of blocking that door closed. 

We have to admit...we are WORTH it. We are loved. We are wanted. I am His & He is mine.

What does that look like for my future? Well, that is all according to His Will. However, I am determined to live my life in a way that uplifts the people around me. I realize that relationships take work...and I have to put more into them because though I may not receive back what I give, God covers that...to infinity and beyond! We must be there for each other, support and care for one another...is that not what is asked of us? If we are to act like Christ and God is essentially Love...are we not to be love ourselves? 

For my campus, I give Hofstra to God. Whether that means I start a foundation for a Christian sorority at Hofstra University or I truly fill the role that is assigned to me on Leadership with Hofstra Intervarsity Chrisitan Fellowhip...I am a vessel for God. An instrument of peace...

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

In closing, I want to thank every single person I met at NYCUP for being a leader in their own way. We all will do great things, and I hope to continue to see them and support them through that.

Thank you: Pastor Jim (Jimara), Professor Maticles (The Walking Encyclopedia), Nicola (Jersey), Avalan (AVALONN), Candance (Candi), Sarah (That Really Awesome Asian Chick...bawk bawk..get it!?), CiCi...'s Pizza? (Tiana/Pocahontas/Lewis or Clark/Wise Woman), Casey (Robin? Best Storyteller Ever), Amanda (The Baby...New York:P), Yin Yin (Nancy Pooh), Anna Bananana Fofanna... (Roomie), Shereen (Bestie), Caitlin (Denver...hipster!), Jessi (Captain Jolly Swagger), Roxi (The Rock Guitarist), Chris & Hope (& Super Vegan Baby), Jonmuffin (Jonnie) & Priscilla, Chelsea, Grace, Karen, Diane, Isaac & Danielle, Andie, & Ismabooooo (Sacajaweja?/Lewis or Clark/Wise Woman/African Emperess).

From the bottom of my heart...thank you. 

I also want to thank every reader, donation, every person that held me in pray...really and truly, I thank you for believing in me and letting God reach me and use me. May I be used in your lives as well, as however God wills it to be!

Now, I pray that my journey may have affected you, my readers, in some way. If you would like to know more and just talk...comment, respond, email, call, text...whatever you need/want...I am here to serve:) Remember, ACT LOCALLY - THINK GLOBALLY! #loggingoff