Our Lives As Well

by Linnea Hardin, 2-time EM Summer Staff member in New York City

"Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."
1 Thessalonians 2:8

As I reflect upon the last two summers I have spent serving with Experience Mission and our community partners in Harlem, this is the verse that immediately comes to mind, where Paul is expressing his love and delight in living out the gospel message with the Thessalonians. Paul's words really resonate with me here, because although I had no previous experience with urban ministry, God quickly created a tender place in my heart for the vibrant people of Harlem. He gave me a fierce love for this new lifestyle that allowed me to spend my days dancing and learning ridiculous handshakes with 40 of the most delightful kids, striking up conversations with strangers on the street as I offered them water, listening to stories of struggle and redemption in the soup kitchen, and watching the eyes of the elderly light up as we sang off-pitch hymns and Christmas songs in the nursing home.

God shattered all of the seemingly massive barriers attempting to separate me from the community members. Language barriers were obliterated through continuous high fives and laughter with a man in the nursing home who only speaks Chinese, or through a unique version of charades with a friend I met in the soup kitchen who is deaf and mute. The age gap was bridged between the kids and me with endless giggles and warm hugs. With those older than me, suddenly we didn't seem so different when talking about our mutual love of baseball or the latest happenings in Harlem. Regional barriers came crashing down as the locals began to consider this Midwest girl a "true Harlem-ite." I am still in awe at how God intricately wove together my path with those of so many others in Harlem, and how He formed seemingly unlikely friendships out of the most unexpected circumstances.

I came to Harlem wanting to build genuine relationships that were rooted in love. Like Paul, I wanted to share not only the gospel of God, but also my life with the people of New York City. The funny thing is, I learned how to do that from those very people. As much as I can relate to Paul in this verse, I can relate to the Thessalonians even more. The people I met in New York loved ME so much, they were delighted to share not only the gospel of God with me, but their lives, as well.

That's what missions, mutual respect, mutual trust, and dignity are all about. While I was serving my friend lunch, she was serving me by allowing me to play with her baby. While I was handing water to a man on a park bench, he served me by sharing his testimony of coming to faith in God. While I was talking to the kids, they served me with their contagious joy, giving me more of an energy boost than my morning coffee. While I looked for ways to serve the staff of the Salvation Army, they served me by offering constant support, wisdom, and prayer.

I am so thankful for the past two summers. I have learned how to better love others by the way I experienced love while in New York. I have been challenged and stretched in my understanding of living truly and purposefully on mission, and although I deeply miss the people I met in New York City and the mission teams, the way they all have taught me about Jesus through words and actions has shaped me in a lasting way, as I move on to my next phase of life. This internship was so far beyond just an adventurous summer experience; it was a catalyst for life-changing, mutual growth in myself, the mission teams, and those in New York we befriended.

As Paul concludes his letter in 1 Thessalonians 5:24, he writes, "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." The Lord has been abundantly faithful to me as He allowed me to play a small role in His great story in New York, and I am so excited to see how He continues that work through Experience Mission's continued investment in the community, through whomever He calls there next.

GET INVOLVED | Apply now for the EM Cross-Cultural Internship to serve like Linnea or bring your team on a 2016 Mission Trip to New York City.

You must have a group size of at least 6 members to join this trip. Please view the Small Team trips or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.

View Small Team Trips

For most trips, you must have a group size of at least 6 members. Please view the Small Teams tab on each Community page or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.