I feel somewhat like Elijah who told the Lord from his hiding place in the cave, “I, even I only am left.”
The still small voice says, “I have many people in this city” “(Acts 18:10).
My mind goes back across the years to how my good friend Gisela now rests in Glory after God led her to the Church in the city. Soon her grandson will walk down the aisle with his bride, a home built on the Rock.
Henry, the agnostic man, who started attending the Church in the city when he lost his eyesight has also gone to his eternal reward. His epitaph reads, “Now I see.” At the end of life he said, “There is nothing left but the blood.”
Sister Bisi’s baptism was at Sugar Hill, the Church in the city. She lives in Poughkeepsie where her and Brother Reuben are raising their family in the Church.
The Mifflinburg congregation gets to have Brother and Sister Benn worshipping with them. Their baptism was also at the Church in the city, and their daughter, Helene Berniece, will forever be a city girl who loves bubble tea and the beach.
And now one of our own, Sister Abigael’s marriage to Brother Brandt Nightingale has blessed the Church in the city. God sent a complete double rainbow as a witness on the eve of the wedding. Don’t forget this.
I could write of Ismari, Maxeau, the Vicentes (whose story isn’t finished), of attendees, and of visitors from out of town whose lives have been changed by the Church in the city. City outreach continues. God’s Word will not return unto Him void.
Berniece
P.s. Tell how your life has been touched by the mission in NYC.
An Ordinary Life 
O
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Now WHY did it do that? I have more trouble commenting in this website! Let’s see if I can reply to myself!
NYC Mission gave me a good friend – you! It also showed me that God is working in the hearts of all men drawing them to Him. I could write of the lessons learned from Henry and the blessings of watching Benn and Sundaymar in their journey. Of the Sunday we had Self-expression, Self-examination, Communion, Re-acceptance and Baptism, all in one afternoon!
Yep, NYC changed my thinking and my life.
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Thank you, Yvette. I need positive reminders of what great things the Lord has done. I’m so glad we could spend time “in the same congregation,” and become best of friends!
Berniece
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Can’t help but comment about some of those precious memories of the short 6 months we spent in the house at Sugar Hill. Listening to dear Papa Isaac preach to ‘My dea people’ , the many good messages he brought, having Henry in for Sunday dinners, going to the Bowry for services and singing in the subway station at Times Square, and of the times spent with you.
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in December of 2023, my sister Beth’s son Bane was chosen for a semi lead role in a Broadway play in New York City. Wow, big deal. Bane hit the big time. Beth and Bane had one month to relocate to New York city from Houston. Beth is a converted Christian, has faith and she believes ” we can do this.” God is in it. Where will they live? My guess is NYC is unlike any other city when it comes to finding an apartment. At the last minute my brother finds them a place (thru a friend). God says Michael I realize this is irregular but “Support your sister.” So ofcourse I do. Come to find out Beth and Bane’s apartment are walking distance from Sugar hill mission. Come to find out the missionary is NYC is Beth’s cousin. During the course if the year Beth and Bane attend church at sugar Hill. Beth is returning to her Mennonite roots ( her father was at one time a member). Beth and Bane love church. Bane lives the unit boys! The missionary is a real missionary, dedicating every Monday to Beth and Bane, even taking months to read a book about the birds and the bees to Bane. I visit my sister in NYC twice the summer of 2023. Beth what is worldliness I ask? She’s smart, she gets it. Mike she says Bane is light to the world when he’s on stage. She really is right, for her understanding at this point. I’ve wondered the Bible says if they are not against Jesus, they are for him. So,what role did sugar Hill play in Beth’s part of this Broadway play we call life? All I know is all this was orchestrated by God and Beth, my dear sister DRANK IT IN! Beth and Bane have since left the city. The Broadway show went on a nation wide tour. Bane was chosen to join the tour. He’s not just an average 12 year old Broadway actor. Actually he’s been called a Superstar. What impressions were left on Bane and Beth those Sunday mornings at the Mission church? We’ll never know but God will make it clear. And hopefully he’s continuing to lead them. Why, because God loves little Bane and my dear sister, they are superstars to Him. Just like you are to Him as well.
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