Recently we started reading “Circlemaker” together by Mark Batterson. One thing he wrote really struck us- to pray specific requests so when something happens we know it was God answering and not simply chance. Mark Driscoll says, “It’s not happenstance or chance…it’s providence.” (You have to say it just right for it to rhyme-ha).

Well, we made several big requests recently. One- We begged God for one convert. We pray daily for our students and friends we have made here. Our year with NYCIP finishes May 29th. We realize the field we are called to in this season has very tough soil. But, even though we know that… it is easy to feel discouraged at times. We boldly asked God, please just save one person this month. Kyle has recently started teaching English in a mosque to West Africans. The imam in this mosque is interested in the message of Christ and one of our teammates shares the Bible with him weekly. When church teams come to help, often they pass out information, tracts, and the Jesus film to Muslims from West Africa. Kyle and our friend were walking to the mosque asking people if they had read or watched the film. One man said he watched the Jesus film twice and believed that Jesus was the only way to heaven and to have his sins forgiven! They walked through the gospel and he articulated everything and said he believed. Kyle got his number and went back  a few days later and he wants to be baptized. Kyle has begun discipling him. It was like God was saying, “I’m going to save someone…not even someone you have been working with so you will know it was me answering and not your effort.”

Also, next year we will be working with an amazing ministry (more details coming soon on that!). One of our tasks is to bring the missions class “Perspectives” to Harlem. This is a huge logistical undertaking as different missionaries and teachers from all over the world come each week to speak, funding, promo for people to take the class, a location, etc. About 10 volunteers are needed to pull off the class, and to be a volunteer you have to have taken and completed the Perspectives class. Also, I’ve been nervous about Eva getting her shots in a few weeks. I don’t want to give her so many at one time, but we don’t live on a farm in Kansas either. The likelihood of us sitting by someone in the subway with something that could make her very sick is honestly, very high. So, I have felt very overwhelmed with this decision! I prayed “God, please help us meet someone who has taken Perspectives and please help someone to give me clarity about these shots….Tomorrow please.” The next morning a mom from my mom’s group called. She was supposed to bring a meal the week before, but her child was sick and she asked if she could bring dinner that morning because of her schedule. She came over and Eva had just fallen asleep so we were able to visit. Long story short, I started telling her about Perspectives. She said, “Oh, our best friends are Korean-American and rave about that class. They drove to Jersey to take it last year and always say they wish it could be here.” I got their info and we have been emailing and we will have coffee next week. Looks like they might help us! Then she asked about Eva and I told her about the shots. She had done a lot of research, and said she completely trusted the schedule detailed out by her doctor and she gave all the reasons why. I asked where she went…we go to the same practice. Our pediatrician is 40 blocks away, so this is no coincidence that we have the same one. It’s the only one within an hour that takes our insurance! It was like the Lord was saying, “I can answer both prayers by bringing someone to sit on your couch and help you. Oh, and she will be bringing dinner also!”

God is so good and faithful to hear us and to lovingly respond creatively in His perfect timing.

Our sweet baby girl, Eva Jewel Pierson, arrived March 2nd at 12:17 pm. If you’d like…we wanted to share the story with you! I woke up at 6 am and had a huge labor pain. I thought- Great, I bet I’m going to be one of those people who has 3 contractions a day for 2 weeks. I asked Kyle to walk with me to Starbucks to get a green tea and I doubled over with a contraction on the way there and one on the way back. We were in our pajamas, overcoats, and snow boots…good thing we live in Harlem- no one even gave us a second glance. ha

We got home and they were about 10 minutes apart (we guess, we were so excited Kyle forgot he was the one who was supposed to time-ha). My friend Joyce wanted to help us with laboring some at home before we went to the hospital, so Kyle called her and she came straight over. See, in NYC they suggest you wait until contractions are 3-1-1 (3 minutes apart, 1 minute long for one hour). And, if you aren’t at least at 6 centimeters they will send you home! So, we had to spend time trying to remember anything from lamaze for about 5 hours at home! ha

FInally we hit 3-1-1 and it was about 11 am so our neighbor was home with the car (no subway or hailing a taxi-praise the Lord!). We went straight there. The birthing center was full. So, we had to go to the room that you share with 8 other laboring women. Don’t worry…there are curtains…Kyle went to reserve a room, mom was giving my insurance info, and I went into the room and started having a contraction. I think the (very unkind) nurse thought I was exaggerating. She was like “ma’am, lay down so I can give you an iv!” I sat down and had another one. She started fussing again. I laid down and my water broke. They checked me and started yelling, “Get her out of here, she’s fully dilated!!” Three nurses started pushing me down the hall on the hospital bed all yelling, “Where is an empty room? She’s fully dilated!! Where is the father? Where is the father?” I was like what’s happening!!? It was like something from a movie. ha

Immediately they got Kyle and mom, but my doctor wasn’t there yet. I pushed for 30 minutes and we all cried as we met our precious little girl! The doctor showed up as the nurses were weighing Eva (7 lb. 6 oz). It was such an emotional and spiritual experience honestly. Kyle keeps saying it was  comparable to a conversion- I had to suffer and give up my will for new life. He’s so wise. And, he was such a good affirming coach. He kept saying, “You’re a champion, Oh my no meds! Who are you- I’m so proud” haha. I love him.

Sadly, the private rooms and birthing center were still full, so Eva and I had to go to a semi-private room. Mom and Kyle had to leave at 8 pm and couldn’t return until 10 am. So, Eva and I bonded and I felt the Lord’s presence in a very deep and real way. I needed help- emotionally and physically- and Jesus proved to be my everything like He always does. We moved to a private room the next morning and my dad was there (he hopped the first flight). We all enjoyed spending the day with our little gift and Kyle got to spend the night hallelujah! I think my favorite memory is hearing Kyle sing “Jesus loves Eva” as he rocked her. Also, the hospital provided a complimentary photography shoot in our room! She is so beautiful- and I was thrilled to have the memory of her in the hospital!

I keep thinking of part of 1 Samuel 1:27- “For this child I prayed…” I keep thinking- I’ve prayed for this child my whole life and always wondered what she’d look like, what her personality would be like, and what plans God would have for her…this sweet child I’ve been praying for for over 20 years is here! And, I can’t wait to see what all God has in store for our family.

The Bible study with all Chinese students has been GREAT! We did Genesis 3 this week. They were so mad that the snake and the woman misquoted God and ruined “the perfect world God made them.” Later, one guy said, “I think it’s interesting that God made man better and made the woman 2nd to him in every way.” I said, “Be very careful. Because I don’t see God saying that. You are misquoting God’s words like the snake.” His jaw dropped. I felt bad that I’d said it for about 5 seconds until he said, “You’re right. I want to know exactly what God said and not add like the snake who deceived himself and others.” It was awesome! Then, later this same student said, “I think that Adam was lying. He didn’t hide because he was naked, he hid because he knew he had disobeyed God.” I agreed, but reminded him not to add or take away unless he was sure the text was saying that. One of the girls asked if they could have a few minutes to quietly reread it in Mandarin, because she thought he was right. I was thrilled and of course agreed! They aren’t just reading it out of curiosity, this group studies it.

(Reminder about 2 girls from this group…every week we tell them to share waht they’ve learned with someone. All of our students share with roommates or classmates PLUS some family member or friend back in their home country. These girls had heard EVERY week something from the passage because their roommate shared with them every week. They came to our Thanksgiving party and asked, “Aren’t you the girl that can tell us about God?” “YES! That’s me.” They responded, “Great would you read the Bible with us in January.” And here we all are!)

After reading for a few minutes, the girl exclaimed, “He’s right! They made a temporary covering, they weren’t completely naked. They realized they had disobeyed God and that God would remember He told them not to eat the one tree.” They all looked so proud of themselves for finding the answer to their question. I loved it! Then, they all shared that they could see God’s kindness and love in His gift of killing the first animal to “give them a better covering.”

These students are reading and re-reading a lot on their own every week in their own language. Please pray for my friends this week as we tackle the story of Abraham!

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We are excited to have Bible studies going on right now! Kyle is going through the Bible with 2 West African men in their home every week. Kyle is also continuing a Bible study with our students who went through the redemptive story last fall. I’ll let him blog about those…I’m so proud of him! I really do wish you all could see how these guys just trust him and want to hang out with him. It’s awesome!

I have started my first all Chinese Bible study. At Christmas, the Young Singles class Catalyst took up money and we purchased bilingual Chinese and English Bibles (they are pricier than just English- think $2 compared to $16). A Chinese student who accepted Christ last year will be joining me. I can order bubble tea, say a few greetings, and sing a traditional Happy New Year Song, but I’m not quite ready to tackle Genesis in Mandarin. ha!

In the class Perspectives, we heard a story one week about a missionary. He didn’t have a Bible in the heart language of the group he was trying to reach. He spoke their language and they lived here in the US. One day an older man told him, “If your God is the only true God, why doesn’t He speak my language?” That story is so powerful to me. Now granted, our students know that the Bible is in their language; they’ve never seen it or read it, but they know it is available somewhere. They speak English fluently, but there is something about reading and hearing something- especially the Bible- in your language. We usually have a time at the beginning of the Bible study after we have read the passage that we let them ask if there are any words they don’t know. (I haven’t had a study yet in which any of them know what a swarm of fish is from Genesis 1). But, with this study, I give them a few minutes to read it in Mandarin after they have read it in English. It’s awesome! There is NO confusion or no explanation needed about verb tenses, misunderstanding something Jesus said, etc.

And, the conversation has been AWESOME! I’ll blog about it… don’t want these to be a book each! ha

I’m SO excited about these Bible studies being mostly in their language. This will help the questions about words they don’t understand and they can solely (prayerfully) focus on the text. Please pray for these students as they hear the story of God for the first time!

Kyle and I have made a great friend here- a godly pastor our age from India. This past Sunday we visited his church for Kyle to speak. We had a GREAT time!

First of all- it was such a cool building. The Indonesian church owns it and rents the rooms inside to different congregations to worship and minister to the community. On Sundays there are about 12 services there. The top floor is for the Indonesian church- they have services in Indonesian, bilingual, and one in English. The next story down: on one side of the building Koreans meet for a Korean service followed by a bilingual service. I can’t remember what ethnicity they said were meeting on the other side. The bottom floor houses one half Chinese believers with various services and the other half was our service with believers from India. Late afternoon the building houses several Hispanic worship services. In the middle of each floor there is a small fellowship room/area where people can visit before and after their services. It was so exciting to be walking down the stairs and passing so many brothers and sisters from all over the world. I would have LOVED to hear all of their stories of how they came to faith. I’m sure you could write a book just from the stories from the believers in that building!

Our service was bilingual or actually trilingual…It was English, Hindi, and Punjabi. There were all different ages of sweet believers from India singing and praying their hearts out. Kyle encouraged them with our story of reaching internationals in the city and reminded them that they have all they need in Christ to reach their roommates, co-workers, and family members from India both here and there with the Gospel. They literally cheered; it was so exciting to encourage them. After the service we walked out to the fellowship room to wait for the pastor as he talked to people. The Chinese church was meeting in there. We entered a party! They had made a huge bowl of homemade soup (our favorite!), toddlers were running around, and the high schoolers were playing dance dance revolution. They gave us a front seat to watch the game and fixed us huge bowls of soup. They were so welcoming even though they didn’t speak English. We felt like family!

Also, while we waited one of the believers from the Indian church came to tell us his story. Wow! He grew up in India and was a devout Hindu his whole life. One day he prayed to one of his gods to help him pass a test he knew he would easily pass. He failed the test and was disillusioned. Long story short, a Christian prayed for him in Jesus name and went with him to retake the test. He made a perfect score. He said, “For weeks I felt like a magician. I did not speak to my gods, but I only prayed in the name of Jesus and everything came true. I see now that God was helping me have faith that He is the one true God.” Intrigued, he began attending a Christian fellowship behind his family’s back and after several months of reading the Bible became a believer. He is in NYC for 5 years finishing his medical degree. He was very excited about Kyle’s testimony, because he has many Hindu roommates and co-workers.

Then, we ended our fun day with eating amazing Indian food with the pastor, his wife, and the praise team. Please pray for our new friends as they reach their community, city and country with the Good News!

Since January 1st, we have been reconnecting with our students from last semester. I’ve had a different girl over every day for tea and Kyle has been meeting with the guys. It’s been great to share about our breaks, and to hear that they are all very excited to continue reading the Bible with us this semester. We had a Bible study earlier today with students from last semester. Kyle picked Ephesians 2:1-10…he shared that this letter was written to Christians. It says… we were children who were subjects of God’s anger, we used to live in sin, we disobeyed, and more. One Japanese student asked: “Why are all the verses in the past tense?” Kyle said, “remember the context and the audience.” The man thought for a minute and said, “Wait, I’m still a sinner and these things are true of me but not of you because I have not believed Jesus as the only sacrifice from God for my sin.” Kyle nodded. We went verse by verse and they verbalized perfectly what every verse was saying and the implications. They have a firm foundation from last semester for understanding God’s story, so now we are praying that they will truly understand their responsibility and how to respond. It was a great time. Before we conclude everyone shares one way we can be obedient to the passage we read. One Chinese girl said, “I will learn more from Kyle and Amy and Bible, because I’m starting to believe that Jesus is the only way for me not be dead in my sin.” The Japanese man said, “I see there is a big difference between believers and people who don’t believe yet. I will talk to God this week and read this again.”

Please pray for our friends that the Holy Spirit would make God’s Word real to them in this very moment! Also, we will start Genesis with brand new groups next week! God stories to follow!

Hi all! I’m sorry I’ve been slacking in updating this. In all my optimism, everyone failed to tell me that I would develop a slight case of narcolepsy as soon as I got home every day the last weeks of pregnancy. Not really…But, this sweet little girl is making me tired. ha

With a new semester starting at Columbia we began English groups with new students. Some of them were on the waiting list from last semester, and one Chinese visiting scholar in my group arrived 6 days before our group and saw a flyer Kyle had hung on campus! Praise God!

My group consists of 4 Japanese, 4 Chinese, a guy from Ethiopia, and a girl from Brazil. Last week was the “get to know you” week. I asked them about their hometowns and families. One Japanese guy was so nice, talking about how much he loved his wife and he was so proud of her. The Brazilian girl talked about Carnaval, and that she loved how people danced with strangers in the streets and joined what is the largest party and parade in the world. Many in the class looked confused by this type of parade, and I couldn’t help but laugh. I love how different cultures and individuals are. God is so creative! I have all students and one visiting scholar (she is the one that saw the flyer!). She has taught music education at 3 major universities so far in China, plays many instruments and was overall very well spoken, refined, and interesting. Then, she mentioned that her “favorite film was the speed and the passion.” I was a little nervous, because I didn’t know what she meant. She went on, “It was filmed in Brazil. I saw it many times in the theaters, and bought the dvd. The actors were amazing: Diesel and the Stone.” I lost it laughing. She meant Fast and the Furious with Vin Diesel and the Rock. I didn’t picture someone like her loving that film, but It was a great connecting point for she and the Brazilian student. Love it!

Also, every student fills out an interest sheet and we ask lots of spiritual questions, such as “Would you like a Bible? Would you like to meet someone to ask questions about Christianity? Would you like to be in a Bible study?” and so on. We aren’t very subtle…

All of my students except for one put yes on everything! God is so good to bring seeking people to us! Also, I have one repeater student. She was in my group last semester, and we became great friends, eating lunch or getting together often. Last semester she put no on everything…this semester she put yes on everything! I almost cried when I saw her sheet that God softened her heart over the break and through the topics (such as grace and forgiveness) in English group last semester.

Please pray for us! We will pick times and days to start Bible studies next week!

This is my friend Aziz.  He is from Dakar, Senegal where his wife and 4 month old daughter still live.  He is 24 years old and that document he is holding in his hand is a Certificate of Naturalization.  One week ago he became a US Citizen and his excitement really reminded me of how blessed we are to be born in the best country in the world.  He said “now I have a blue passport…I can go anywhere!” When someone becomes a citizen of the US, they have to take an Oath of Allegiance.  The first line says; “I hereby declare, on oath, that i absolutely and entirely renounce and adjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen;”  When I read that I couldn’t help but think about the Government of God or better know as the Kingdom of God.  We took this same oath when we became citizens of heaven and ambassadors for Christ. Isaiah 9:6 says that He has His government on His shoulders.  I love how it says that “I absolutely and entirely renounce”.  What a statement and reminder that we have to completely renounce all and follow Christ.  I love John Piper’s statement that “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”.  That can’t happen until we renounce everything else that takes the place of God.  

Happy New Year! I hope you had an amazing Christmas! We did! It was so great to spend a full week at home with my family. I rode in cars (we walk everywhere here), ate lots of Chickfila and southern cooking, and sat on my grandma’s couch! Ha
We have been in lots of training and meetings this week. Part of our year here in New York is spent learning ways to bridge the gospel to unreached groups. This week we had training from 9-5 everyday (even Saturday) and something every night! This coming week will look similar. It is like drinking from a water hose and also super helpful.
Kyle called several students tonight to see if they wanted to get dinner.  They were in Miami to board a cruise tomorrow for the Bahamas. Ah… To be in college! They’ll start school the 17th and we are ready to see all the students we spent so much time with last semester. Also, please pray for our new students. There are many new students we met at orientation in August on the waiting list from last semester for English groups. We will do the same process of asking these students if they’d like to learn about God with us in the Bible. We are praying for as many or more than last semester! Also, we will continue with the ones we started with in the fall… So many people who want to know God… We are very excited for what Jesus will do this Spring! Also, please pray for the 3 Chinese girls I mentioned in our Thanksgiving post. To remind you: They are friends of a girl in one of our Bible studies. They came up to me and said, “Are you the girl that can tell us about God?” I smiled and nodded. I like having that reputation! They want me to start a Bible study with them this month. Pray it works in their schedules and that each would bring a friend. I’d love to have 6 girls hearing about God for the first time
With me. And, some of you have asked what I’ll be doing this Spring with baby P coming mid March.
I’ll continue living my everyday and hanging with students of course. Then,  I’ll do ministry from our home during her nap times- that seems pretty fun and Titus 2 to me! Pray for Kyle, baby, and I. We are hoping for much fruit this Spring!

Last week we read the Crucifixion account from Luke 23 in Bible studies. They were upset to say the least. I told them that good news was coming this week…

They could not believe that some of the disciples didn’t believe Jesus was risen. I thought this was awesome…none of them said they didn’t believe the resurrection and they didn’t have any debates or arguments about it. They accepted it as fact and were frustrated that Jesus’ disciples didn’t remember that He told them He would rise! They loved that Jesus walked with the two followers and “patiently” explained with the Scriptures why He must die and rise. Every time one of them would feel confused about what was happening in the passage, the Chinese professor would read verses 25-26: “Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. ²⁶ Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?”  It was awesome! He kept saying, “Jesus had to suffer- it was God’s plan.”

Many picked verse 32 as the verse they would try to obey this week: “They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”  They said Jesus was very patient and kind to remind them of His plan and that He was the Messiah.

To say we are thankful that they are not debating the resurrection and saying it is fable or fairytale is an understatement. They are really putting themselves in the story and getting fired up when people don’t trust Jesus or if people question God’s plan. I so wish we had a hidden camera! Please join us in prayer Next week we will explain that they have a personal choice to follow and believe Jesus and also that they Lord would convict and save!