Matthew 13:31-32 contains one of Jesus’ shortest parables, “31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” [1]
This week our team has been scattering mustard seeds. Small “God touches” that are leaving seeds throughout Astoria, Queens. Our team has loved on kids, they blessed shop owners, they’ve prayed for random people, and they’ve worked hard to make sure that this city is better off today than on Monday when we got here.
They’ve played basketball, they’ve colored with sidewalk chalk, they’ve traded jewelry, they’ve bought from locally owned businesses, and they’ve talked with people from probably 20 countries who were everything from Jain to Muslim. They’ve contended for the gospel in love. I don’t think there is a single person in this neighborhood who has a lower impression of the gospel today than on Monday and I guarantee there are many people who have a higher opinion than when we started.
As our missionary Billy said, “this is a dark city.” It is a city full of life, and culture, and foods, and families, yet it is a city without the gospel. It is probably possible to preach to every people and tongue of the world right here in Queens. I truly believe that this week, my students, our team, have brought light into this dark place. There are people in this community who are more hopeful because our students engaged with them. Here is what a few of our team shared with me last night:
There will be days when you feel like you’ve accomplished nothing. I trust that in our small acts of obedience, God can do something great. That’s one of the many things about God that amazes me, He doesn’t need me to do something “big” to complete a great work. He’s great on His own. Today, I’m thankful He is great and I am not. Praise God that He is God and I am not. Praise God, He moves the mountains, He changes hearts, He redeems, He saves, and I do not. I’m grateful to be His child, to know that there is grace, and I get to experience His love everyday. (J.R.)
Today was a slow day at first. We ate lunch and went into a few stores before going to Astoria Park. Once there, I sat for a little bit a people watched while praying. I then decided to go to a coffee shop nearby and talk. I got to meet a guy named Ryan who is majoring in music. Then I met back up with the group and got to meet Dimitri and Alex. They took us to a Greek restaurant where we learned more about them. Dimitri was Greek Orthodox. We became friends quickly, so we then went to get popsicles. Afterwards we prayed with them. (N.P.)
Today we went to lunch at a Halal Meat & Mediterranean Grill restaurant and got shawarma (the beef was better than the chicken). We hung out there for a while and played with the owners son who’s name was Asad. He is half Algerian, half Tunisian.. He plays soccer and has a bunch of uncles. We raced him up and down the sidewalk, we arm-wrestled with him… it was fun. We left to get coffee then pastries at the favorite spot of the girls. We talked there for a while then got dinner as a local food truck. (J.P. & Others)
What the Lord taught me today: Persevere. Be faithful to sit in awkward silence. It may be that right when you get over that speed bump, they ask you for a Bible. You don’t know if someone is a person of peace if you don’t allow the Lord to show you. You never know where someone is at on their journey or search for God unless you take the time to sit with them, talk with them, get to know them, and maybe even eat with them. All examples of what Christ did here on earth. Even though He knew exactly who everyone was and where they were at spiritually when He was on this earth, He still took the time to develop a relationship with them and listen to them. How much more should we do the same? (S.C.)
Continue to pray for our team. Specifically pray for a safe day of fellowship and ministry in Manhattan on Friday.
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 13:31–32.
