Due to major lack of funds at church, we haven't been able to keep the heat on during the week. God has granted a respite from the bitterest winter weather, but it's still very hard not having heat during afterschool. We've tried not to let the temperature inside drop much below 50degrees, and all of the kids keep their outerwear on throughout the four hours we're there. Please pray for continued patience and health in these conditions, and praise God for the keeping the program strong despite financial and other setbacks!

Student Spotlight: Anastasia

Anastasia* is nine years old and in has been in SAY Yes since fall 2008. I don't know her family well, because they don't speak English, but her parents adopted her from Argentina when she was a toddler. They have two biological adult children, so Anastasia has a brother who lives with her and has a sister and nephew who live elsewhere in NYC.

Anastasia is probably the most genuine person I know. I can't quite explain it: she has no pretenses, no guards. It's incredible how rare that is! She's very open and friendly and often tries to play comforter to the younger kids. She and Carlos have a particular bond: they both come from Spanish households, are around the same age, and attend special education schools. Everyone Anastasia meets is considered a friend and she's extremely loyal. She seems to think of herself as a little kid, and often we have to warn her not too be so loud or rough. Yet in her I see more maturity than the other kids. She honestly just wants to love those around her, and I've rarely seen her intentionally hurt others or disobey us. Lately she has been very curious about coming to church, which is great!

If you would like to pray for Anastasia, please consider the qualities listed above. Although it's refreshing to see someone so unguarded, one could easily take advantage of her, even unintentionally. Her trust of others has already caused her to be hurt by small words or wounds and, especially, cruel intentions that she can't seem to understand. At this point she is often oblivious to unkind things others occasionally say about her, which has been a blessing, but she's also smart, and will no doubt draw connections soon.

*Children's names have always been changed for privacy and safety.

Chinese New Year

"For most of us, this is a time for us to get together and talk about our past, present and future. The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China. It's very much like Christmas or Thanksgiving in the United States.”