This Past Week

Today marks three weeks that we have lived in Levittown, New York. Each day has proved more exciting than the previous day. We have yet to be bored! Things have become so incredibly interesting, that I know I need to be documenting each day.
Yet, though the days are interesting and exciting, that does not necessarily mean that they have been easy. We truly need and request your prayers for us.

Let me try to briefly summarize what has taken place over the last week.

Friday, July 21

My Dad and I went to Shea Stadium to see the Astros play the Mets. The Mets beat the Astros badly, but my Dad and I had a great time riding the train to the stadium.

Saturday, July 22

My Mom and Dad left to go to visit Niagara Falls. The mission team from FBC Katy arrived. The team consisted of 19 people who came to help introduce our community to Crossroads Church of Long Island.

Sunday, July 23

The first Crossroads Church of Long Island worship service was held with the team from FBC Katy. It was a special time of dedication, anticipation, prayer, and sharing the Lord's Supper together.
That afternoon we began to distribute brochures about our church. We met a lady named Carol. (a different Carol from the one I have written about before.) Randy, the pastor from FBC Katy, and I spoke to her and she told us that she was interested in our church. She went on to explain that she did not know about her relationship with the Lord, and proceeded to pray a prayer confessing Christ as Savior.
Later that evening, our friend Valerie Targhetta came over from Stony Brook. She attends graduate school at Stony Brook, located here on Long Island. She shared with the group from Katy some of the unique differences between New Yorkers and Texans. In particular, Valerie talked about the need to love people "no strings attached." It was really great to hear from her. Her words were right on.

Monday, July 24

We attempted to have a Kids Day Camp. It was not as well received as we had hoped. A couple of our neighbors thought we were trying to open a day care. They went on to let the authorities know. We received a written notice from the Town of Hempstead. That evening, Jenna and I were able to meet some more of our neighbors. We explained to them our intentions and had a chance to clear the air. By the end of our conversation with them, it was apparent that God was using even this situation for His glory. It turned out that this was not a bad situation, but an opportunity to visit with our neighbors.

Tuesday, July 25

We passed out more brochures and flyers about Crossroads. One man called me to find out more information about our church. He and has wife are considering coming to a Bible study held at our house next Tuesday. Please pray that God would allow them to do so.

Wednesday, July 26

We passed out more brochures. We also passed out about 200 frisbees at Jones Beach, located about 15 minutes from our house. The frisbees had our website printed on it. We were able to talk to a few interested people.

A guy name Brian, a guy who works at the hotel where the FBC KATY group was staying, came to the Bible study held at our house. He is interested in what God is doing with Crossroads. He is a believer who leads worship at a church about 15 miles away. We went out to a diner after the Bible study. He is interested in getting together soon.

Thursday, July 27

We met some people at Farmingdale Baptist Church. They are a small Southern Baptist Church, not terribly far away. We are trying to find out ways that they can be a help to us and how we can be a help to them. I am preaching at their church on August 13, 27, and September 3.
The afternoon was spent passing out water bottles at the train station located about 2 miles from our house. People were very happy to receive cold water and a koozie with our website on it
Barabara, our realtor, and her husband Andrew came to the Bible study tonight. It was a neat time for people to share where they had seen God working throughout the week. It was also great to hear Barbara and Andrew share about what God has done in their lives. It is obvious now how God used Barabara to help us find our house here. We were so glad they were able to come to the Bible study.

I learned a lot this week. FBC Katy truly is a partner in this endeavour. They have made a significant financial commitment to our church. But, it goes deeper than that. They are truly committed to the Kingdom. They helped us with some repairs in the house, put up our outside shed, brought us a lot of supplies, gave us a sno-cone machine, and more. But, they also offered us words of encouragement. They let us know that they were with us for the long haul. They reassured us that it was God who was in control of all of this.

Finally, please pray for us. We are learning more and more that this is exactly where God wants us to be. At the same time, we are dealing with people who are content to live without God. Help us to be sensitive in our conversations with others. Pray that we would hear and sense their needs. Pray that God would soften their hearts and become open to the gospel.

We enjoy hearing from you. Please continue to pray for us.


Sterling, Jenna, Madison, and Emma

Don't forget to check out my blog at www.sterjenmademmedwards.blogspot.com or website at www.nycrossroads.org.

Also, you can give to Crossroads Church of Long Island by clicking on

https://secure.signusup.com/giving/default.aspx?ChurchId=1022