prayer in the square

(me and my brother)

There is this big lump of enthusiasm in my heart to share to you on what God is doing here in the city that never sleeps. Evidently, New York City has everything the WORLD has to offer. Yes it is wicked. As a matter of fact, the first time I set foot on Manhattan (just as I got out of the subway) there was a billboard that caught my attention that says: "Life is short. Have an affair in New York. (With a picture of a woman that looks like the one the book of Proverbs warn men about)"

Shoot! Right in the heart of the city, sin is encouraged. That is NY. People seem to be too busy to know God--or even notice God. The way people act, you could say they have no idea about eternity.


But no matter how abhorrent the reality is in here, this can't keep God from doing mighty works. And in these last days, He is manifesting His power through His people--people who are burning with passion to make God's name known; people who are willing to be used by God that no single soul will go to hell without hearing what Jesus has done; and people who know very well that they got nothing but Jesus. These people gathered together for an hour believing that one hour of prayer can change the world.

Last September 7, 2008, approximately 50,000 people representing 170 denominations within and outside the state (even outside the country) came together to pray along the streets of Times Square, Manhattan. Hence called PRAYER IN THE SQUARE.


Christians went out of their roofs and gather under one banner, the banner of Jesus Christ. This one hour surely echoes to eternity.


I just can't believe that this is really happening. That is because America, I thought, has turned her back from God. But it is such a great wonder that even the mayor proclaimed the date recognizing it as an important event. Wow! When God moves, every impossibility will just turn into solid steps taking His purpose higher. What an amazing God we are serving!


Let us keep on praying.

Welcome to the other side of the world!

New York City--one place with a lot of names (98 of it to be exact). They call it "the Big Apple", "the Empire State", "the city that never sleeps", etc. As to why, oh well, it's complicated to explain it here. After all, nothing about New York City is simple. To some NYC is just a song sang by Frank Sinatra; others consider it as the best place to spend a costly vacation; for most, it is just but a dream of the other side of the world where everything can happen. But for me, New York City is the name of the place I should get used in calling "home".

Back to where I was from to where I am now, things are entirely different. And I have no idea how different it could get everyday. Everything here is easy but never simple. You get what you want in a snap--from food to fashion, from health to technology, from A to Z. The basics are always there, but people opt to live away with the conventional. And yeah, I asked, "How am I going to survive?"

I find myself in a jungle where competence has to reach the top of the standard. Absolutely no time for a wishy-washy dealings. Let alone the fact of how creatures here seem to always run after time. And their fast pace is contagious, I can barely keep up. As a matter of fact, I sometimes find myself gasping for air after I get out of the subway and asking myself, "why on earth am I in a hurry?" Oh well, I just can't take my time walking there as if I'm alone. I gotta hurry because a multitude is finding their way out with no more minute left.

However, the calories burned in walking fast along the streets of NYC is nothing less than necessary because of the hours convincing myself there is no way I'm going to overeat yet realizing after a couple of minutes that I ate it all. I consider this place as the world's dining room and all the other countries are the kitchen. There is no food that is not served. For the record, it took me to go out of Asia before I appreciate Japanese cuisine. It is just here that I realized that Japanese cuisine is the second best in the world (Italian's first of course). Come on self, forget about California rolls, sushi, and chicken teriyaki if you want to finish this. *drooling*

Okay, I have to change the topic quickly. Let us talk about Manhattan. Oooooh, the most coveted place in the world when it comes to fashion, music, and theater. My eyes surely glowed brighter than the lights of Times Square with the various Broadway shows. Every dollar is never wasted watching those shows. But even if you don't go inside the Radio City Music Hall or Carnegie Hall, you will still breathe music along the sidewalks of Manhattan. Let alone this fact: what is the Naked Cowboy there for if not for this? Really, it's not a joke standing there on your undies playing a guitar with a cowboy's hat if you earn $1,000 per day. The last time we got there, he was not around but the Cowgirl is. I don't know how they are related, but she sure rocks those USA flag swimsuit and pink guitar. NYC truly got it all.

Oh, by the way, have I mentioned fashion? If there is one thing that would make me fall in love with NYC, it's this. Walking along the 5th Avenue, otherwise known as the Fashion District, is the best and worst walk you will ever have in your entire life. Best if you have money and...do I have to tell you what's worst? This is the fashionista's haven. The heart of fashion lays along NYC. Every designer's finest craft is displayed across the glass shouting "buy me!" The least you can do is to pretend not to hear it. I am getting good at that. *sigh*

People do come and go here in New York. That is because New York will always be New York. It may be tough; but I will be tougher than the name itself. Because for a girl like me who once enjoyed a simple life, there is no way to get through this but to conquer the odds.

I <3 NY!