LOOKING BACK ON MY TRIP TO NYC – Part 1

Muriel-Laure Kom

5/8/20263 min read

But God sent me back to NYC, for a 6 months mission trip. I thought I would be mostly preaching the Gospel in the subway, but He showed me more. If you asked me what my dearest memories of my time here are, I wouldn't say the things that make NYC famous.


My dearest memories are Stephan, David, Gregory, Steffany and her son, Juan and many other homeless and hurting people that I have met on the streets.

I have met Jesus Christ face to face so many times in the streets of New York City.

And I want to share these encounters with you.

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Before coming to NYC, I believed that people were lonely in Paris. I still believe that, but the level of loneliness here is something else!

One day I wondered why would God send me here. I am a marshmallow, I know what a hugging, warm and tender person I am, and here people are the opposite. No one looks at anyone, nor smiles to anyone, nor speaks to anyone, everybody has locked themselves up in their own world with one population, themselves. It is crazy!

People are so lonely, but at the same time looking for community so much.

A woman told me one day that to make friends here, you have to be so intentional – you have to fight for it.

No wonder why it is so hard to be kind and gentle in NYC. I remember one day feeling a wall rising up in my heart to protect myself from hurt, and I prayed: "Lord please no, do not let me become a rock, guard my tender heart."

God told me that the way I am is exactly the reason why He sent me here. We are the light in the darkness. The love running through our veins is His, and He wants to pour it into the cities He has put us in.

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In the city of New York, I have witnessed the Power of love.

The Bible says that “love is as strong as death” (Song of songs 8:6)

I have seen people crying when I would hug and kiss them on the streets. I have seen people smiling when I would smile at them in the subway. The darker the world becomes, the more clearly we realize how mighty love is.

Love has the power to save someone's life.

IN MY NEXT LETTER, I WILL SHARE MY ENCOUNTER WITH STEPHAN. HE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MEMORY THAT I HAVE OF THIS WHOLE TRIP 💌

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

YOU ARE ON A LOVE MISSION. TODAY, TELL ONE PERSON “I LOVE YOU, AND MY LIFE WOULD NOT BE THE SAME WITHOUT YOU”. LET ALL THE LOVE YOU HAVE FILL THOSE WORDS, AND SEE THEIR FACE BRIGHTEN UP FOR JOY ☀️

“WHATEVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS OF MINE, YOU DID FOR ME.”

I came to New York City last November, because Jesus told me to. And as my time here is almost up – I will be flying back to Europe at the end of the month, I am thinking back of this experience.

Who does not dream of coming to New York City? Of walking in Times Square, of crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, and standing where the two towers once rose above Manhattan?

I honestly never dreamed of coming to New York like so many people want to. I remember the 1st time I came here in 2024, the city and its skyscrapers gave me a headache, I could barely see the sky. I remember leaving NYC to go visit my family in Houston, and feeling the relief and lightness of the atmosphere in the State of Texas. The sky, the fields... Life.

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