Ordinary Radical: New York City

I never really thought I'd be making a blog where I would be sharing stories of where God is calling me, what He's doing, and the people I meet in my life, but obviously I am. The main reason I am making one is for the next several months as I am living right outside New York City doing an internship with a ministry called New York City Relief. I would like to keep everyone updated from friends, family, and especially anyone who is supporting me on this journey.

For this first post I would like to share my support letter so you all can get an idea of what I will be doing starting in September.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

My life has changed ever since I had a conversation with a homeless man about three years ago. Ever since that day God has opened my eyes to a specific area of brokenness in the world and has given me a compassionate heart to suffer alongside the people who, at times, need it most. I have been serving as a volunteer at an organization called Circle City Relief, which meets the needs of a poorer community just north of Indianapolis. I have been apart of that program for around three years now. Along with that God has sent me out on the streets of Indianapolis where I have sat with many people who have hit the bottom or things just aren’t going so well. Whether it was a listening ear or offering them some food I was there because God has continued to call me to love “the least of these” just as it says in Matthew 25. This past April I was able to show this same love to people in New York City with The Relief Bus. It was here that I experienced God in a whole new way. I have heard so many stories that just make my heart ache, but it was here In NYC that God broke my heart for what breaks His. I remember in each location Harlem, Bronx, and a few others I had talked to one person that just broke my heart and most of the time brought me to tears. It was a reassuring trip of my call to love others with a compassionate heart.

So after the hundreds of hugs, talks with strangers, and listening to stories I have once again been called by God to take a step out into the world. At this moment in my life I believe God has called me to go do an internship at NYC Relief Bus after high school for 6 months. This decision in no way, shape, or form came over night, as I spent lots of time in discernment and seeking advice from others as well.

The Relief Bus is an organization based out of New Jersey, and four days a week they load up buses with soup, bread, clothing, and hygiene items to then drive into New York City to love and serve the low-income and homeless families. The bus also has info and resources to help people get into shelters, detox centers, and even jobs. I would be working alongside the employees at The Relief Bus and learning a lot about ministry and how to effectively love others.

My time spent with The Relief Bus I hope to gain leadership skills, see the ins and outs of outreach in NYC, and grow further in my relationship with God. I understand that I have lots of room for learning about outreach and I can’t wait to learn from the incredible people at the Relief Bus. I hope to learn how to be more effective as a leader and better understand the ways I interact with the people that I will encounter. I also want to learn how to effectively assist someone who is hurting while realizing that the decision to change must be made personally. I understand that I have lots of room for learning about outreach and I can’t wait to learn from the incredible people at the Relief Bus.

I am asking you to join me in this journey. The internship is unpaid, and there are some basic expenses that I have to cover in order to be able to participate (housing, transportation, trip insurance, etc.). I am asking you to come along side me in prayer, finances, or both. I am not naive enough to think that I can do this on my own, and I know with your support, in whatever way you choose to give, we can spread the love of God to the broken places of the world.

If you would like to support me financially, I can provide the link to where you can give a donation that is tax deductible. I can send the link via email or whatever way is convenient for you. Also if you would like to further know my story and what I’ll be doing in NYC starting at the beginning of September 2015 feel free to contact me at either my email or phone below. I’d love to set up a meeting with you and answer any questions you may have.

Email: gruntlewandowski@yahoo.com

Phone: (317)-517-7369

Peace and Love,

Grant Lewandowski