So yesterday we got at our new home after 20 hours of traveling. We had a good flight, for some of us it was the first time in a plane with individual screens. So fun!! When we were landing we could see this beautiful skyline of Manhattan and some meters next to it we saw the statue of Liberty. On the airport we got safely through customs.
On the airport we found out that my bag was missing. Luckily I've learned that you always put some necessities in your hand luggage. So when Jena & I went went to the desk reporting my bag missing ;) we got to talk to this wonderful lady. She asked where we're from etc. and Jena got to share why we are in NYC etc. and at the end Jena got to pray for her and she came from behind her desk to hug and kiss us on the cheek, I got real European kisses, 3 is the way we do it in NLD ;) what a nice welcome :) People were very kind to help us!!
We got on the train to Penn station. Once we got there we got the full taste of New York City. So many people! ;) People playing different instruments, Quote from Mathijs; here are real musicians. After seeing somebody playing on some buckets. People singing Gospel, Opera. We also met some Jehovah's witnesses, got to talk with them for a minute and apparently one of the man came from a country used to be a Dutch colony so he could speak Dutch with Mathijs and me.
We bought metro tickets and went home. Well, it wasn't really ideal to travel with our suitcases with the metro during rush hour, but he, we made it ;) we got out and many of us recognized the street just from Google maps ;)
Our host Ivan welcomed us and showed us the church were we are staying. So big!! The building is a 150 years old and they are truly trying their best to let it be it its original state. We have a big living room for us to use, kitchen & a boys bedroom for Mathijs & a girls bedroom for the girls ;)
After our tour we went outside to get some pizza for 1 Dollar a slice. CHEAP :)
During our travel through NYC we really got to see NYC how it is. We saw lots of homeless people, I'm so glad that we're able to work with a homeless ministry! At least for me, I need to learn how to reach out and really see these people as people as you and me, not just as people who want my money.
So yes, I think I will go back to bed now, to see if I can sleep a little more ;) Have a nice day!
Paulien- NYC
