At the beginning of this past decade, I graduated from high school. In May of 2000, I stood on the stage of the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff, MO and spoke to my graduating class accompanied by their family and friends. Speaking of entering a new world, little could I know how God would change my world. Leaving high school, I had many interests in various career pursuits, but was drawn to pursuing music in New York City at New York University. Over the subsequent years, God slowly but steadily changed my course. A course which led me to urban ministry in New York City in the summers and Chicago doing the school year where I was attending Wheaton College (after having transferred after my freshman year). In the summer of 2004, I was asked to begin Graffiti 2 in the Bronx. After some initial hesitancy, I became overwhelmingly convinced that was indeed God's next step for my life. In July of 2005 a group from North Carolina helped to host a hot dog roast on Brook Avenue between 141st and 142nd and introduced Graffiti 2 to the neighborhood. The following month, a group from Mississippi and Louisiana gave G2 our big splash in the neighborhood with a basketball camp. This group humbly served even as Hurricane Katrina ravaged away in their home states and home towns. The following month a group of senior citizens from Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington, KY worked to complete "Extreme Makeover: Church Edition" by renovating the space that we would be borrowing from the Garifuna Evangelical Church. In October, after school programs started with about 20 children and volunteers from Graffiti (Delores and Luz) and the Garifuna Church (Amin and Justa). As the year progressed, G2 began its Thanksgiving and Christmas outreaches, hosted the first annual Easter Egg Hunt and began a Bible study for adults. Summer programs expanded to a month long sports institute and fine arts institute for children and youth. After school programs were strengthened by the addition of teenage and parent volunteers. The Bible study that was started in May 2006 became a church in September of 2008. In 2009, G2 now has three dedicated staff members. Ashley joined G2 in May 2008 and Kelsey in September 2009. What a decade it has been! Oh to think what is ahead. More than I can ask, dream or imagine!
There's a lot to catch up on since my last blog entry. For those that follow this frequently I apologize for the length of time between posts.
*Over Thanksgiving, with the help of West Charleston Baptist Ministries (West Virginia), Graffiti 2 trained 20 people for evangelism, hosted a Thanksgiving dinner that fed 140 people at Graffiti 2 and took a group of 20 teens and adults to help serve a Thanksgiving dinner at Graffiti in Manhattan.
*Christmas is a busy time at Graffiti 2. On December 11, Graffiti 2 hosted a Christmas party for the children and youth in the after school program. This event was held at the local public school. A group of Bible School students from Colorado assisted with the party.
*The children from church prepared a Christmas presentation. About 15 kids and teenagers rehearsed and did an amazing presentation on December 20.
*Over the course of December, Graffiti 2 staff and volunteers began to prepare for the Christmas Celebration. 944 gifts were wrapped with over 30 rolls of wrapping paper, 70 stockings were made and stuffed, and over 80 toiletry kits were packed.
*On December 18, 118 kids, teens and families arrived to Public School 30's auditorium and joined staff and volunteers for a fun-filled evening which included Ashley pulling a machete out of her boot! (You'll just have to call or e-mail to find out more about that). Ending with a Gospel presentation and alter call, almost 20 individuals came forward.
*On December 20 during the regular Sunday worship service, the normal invitation was presented. Normally wrapping up after one time through the song if no body responds, I still had a sense that God was at work. Extending the invitation for one more chorus, the floodgates opened and 13 people responded. Some asking for prayer, some rededicating their lives, and some accepting Christ in their life.
*Two very special stories:
#1: At the end of my last blog entry, I requested prayer for a young man recently released from prison. Since that posting, that young man who I will call George began to spend more time with me. The second week of December, I got a phone call from his mom saying he had been arrested. That evening I went to the precinct and the following day I went to court. Without going into details, I will just say it was a crummy situation for George. After talking with his probation program, it was determined that this re-arrest would not affect his probation since he had been doing so well. At my suggestion, he came into Graffiti 2 the next day, completed a volunteer application and committed to volunteer on a regular basis. The following week, he volunteered daily, wrapping hundreds of Christmas gifts. The night of the Christmas Celebration, George came forward. On Sunday morning, George was the first one to step out of his pew into the aisle. George is now a new brother in Christ!
#2: George has a younger brother who I will call Jake who has had significant difficulty with another young man in the neighborhood who I will call Felix. These difficulties have led to violence between Felix and Jake. During our Thanksgiving dinner, George and Jake were sitting on our front stoop and Felix walked into our door. Some of Felix's family began to instigate some problems and a fight nearly erupted in front of our building. One of Felix's family members ripped off his shirt and another yelled that she was going to go get her "shottie" (shotgun). Felix attended the Christmas Celebration on December 18 and was one of the individuals that responded during the alter call. The following Sunday, he was the second one to come forward . . .immediately behind George! These two young men are brothers in Christ!!!!!
At the start of the year, I am excited about what is ahead. Beginning January 1, Graffiti 2 is independent in all aspects, fiscally and legally, from Graffiti in Manhattan. While this is exciting, it brings a significant increase to work load. This year, I am praying more than ever for God to provide us our own building. Later this month, I hope to have a meeting regarding one real estate option.
Keep these things in prayer as well as the following:
*Discipleship of the many new believers that came to Christ
*After School programs beginning January 4
*Continuing growth and strength of Graffiti 2 Church
*Easter Egg Hunt--April 3, 2010
God bless.
Andrew Mann
Director
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