Good morning from NYC! We are having a beautiful fall day. The signs of fall are all around us, warning that winter is coming. We here have been busy with the normal activities and some days new ones. Seems like the city has picked up the pace with the changing season. Many of the trees have lost their color and leaves, but still, some are clinging on for a few more days.

We have had a change of missionaries at Sugar Hill. Roger and Elsie Penner from Maine have arrived on November 7 to begin their two-year term. Interesting to observe how they view the city and their new surroundings. We remember how it was, so much to learn and absorb. That means we had to say goodbye to Todd and Donna as they returned to KS and their congregation. Never easy to have those we learned to love and work together with leave us! Still lingering effects of the empty spot here…. We wish them the best! We will enjoy exploring the city with Rogers and learn from them to.

With the Thanksgiving holiday, we were very busy with helping at the food pantries. A lot of food is donated from various businesses to the three pantry’s we work at, so a lot of sorting and packing and a couple meals served to the masses. At 109 pantry we served over four hundred people on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Served a lot of turkey and all the other normal food. Makes you wonder what their story is. Are they living their life like they had planned? Probably not! Some of the donated food came from school children, which was all kinds of food, so it all had to be separated and put in containers. Was a big job and much appreciated by the staff. The boys are much loved by each pantry staff and have gained their trust through the years of dedicated service. The reason we continue to do the things we do, is the many boys from years ago have gained the trust of management and officials.

This is Nic’s last week here at the unit, seems like six months pass quickly and then they are gone. We will sure miss him, as we do all of them, but they all have different personalities and interests. Glad his parents and some siblings were able to visit him during his term. Our new boy will be Jared Issac from Grandview ID. Jared will be boy number 12 for us. All have been an asset to the work here. Jared is a diabetic, so that will be a first here for us.

We continue to have lots of company, which we enjoy. Most are parents or siblings of the boys, and some are their friends. We also get visitors that come see us, which is much appreciated! For those who said they were going to come see us, we have served half our term!

Sunday was our Bowery Sunday with Fleetwood PA. joining us for church and then singing in subway station and then service at Bowery Mission. With everyone who came, we were over sixty people! filled the place up. Always helps the singing with a larger group. It was a good day and always interesting who all responds to the activities. I visited with someone who introduced himself as a happy atheist. Said he respects what we were doing, but many people have disappointed him to where he doesn’t believe in God. I told him he wasn’t responsible for anyone but himself. If there is no God, why does it matter.

It is beginning to look like Christmas here in NYC. The tree is up in Rockefeller Center and one at Fox news and Macy’s have their windows decorated and Saks Fifth always has lots of lights. Skating rinks are open, and the festive crowds of shoppers are appearing. The next three Saturdays, fifth avenue is closed to traffic during shopping hours to accommodate the masses of people. May we not overlook the real meaning of Christmas and miss the most important Gift of all!

Wishing all a good day and merry heart as the Christmas season approaches.