THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996 TAG: 9603220228
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
The choir and drama team from Greenbrier Christian Academy went to New York to minister to the homeless and ended up on The Today Show.
More than 40 high school students traveled to Northern Virginia and New York City last weekend under the supervision of drama teacher Michael S. Klefeker, school choral teacher Brenda Bodnar and several other teacher and parent volunteers.
The trip was planned to offer the students a chance to see another side of life and give them the opportunity to minister to people who really need it.
Before arriving in New York, the drama team and choir performed at a Manassas church and a Fredericksburg Christian school. Then it was on to the Big Apple after an overnight stay in Fort Lee, N.J.
After arriving at the group's 44th St. hotel, Klefeker said their bus broke down, but not until the group arrived safe and sound.
While staying at the Hotel Iroquois, the Greenbrier Christian kids had front row seats for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade last Sunday.
``The parade was right in front of our hotel,'' Klefeker said. ``That was such a surprise. We were able to see all the details of the parade.''
But one of the most exciting aspects of the trip also happened thanks to shear serendipity.
``After our bus broke down on Friday, we walked around the corner and went right to the area where they tape The Today Show,'' he said. ``There, in front of the studio, our kids started singing. That was broadcast over national television. Then Al Roker walked over to the kids and interviewed one of our students, Emily McLung. Everybody loved that. It was such a thrill.''
While in New York City, Klefeker said his students went on shopping trips to F.A.O. Schwartz and other fancy stores, traversed 5th Ave., took in a Broadway show and ate at the Cucina Italian restaurant. They toured Little Italy, Chinatown, took the Staten Island ferry past the Statue of Liberty and visited the South Street Seaport.
The students performed songs and inspirational Bible stories at the Manhattan Bible Church to both Spanish and English congregations.
But the group's most memorable moment did not happen in any fancy Gotham neighborhood.
``For the majority of the kids, their visit to the Bowery and their ministry work was their favorite,'' Klefeker said. ``We went to the Bowery Mission, which has been there for close to 100 years. The building used to be a morgue, but now it's an 18-bed facility to help the homeless. It had a beautiful chapel with high ceilings, ornate wood and cut glass.''
At the mission, the Greenbrier Christian youngsters served food and sang and performed dramatic versions of Scripture passages. In fact, one of the students really got to the assembled homeless that evening.
``One of our kids, a senior named Will Manus, acted out a passage from Isaiah,'' Klefeker said. ``When he finished, he did such a good job and gave such a heartfelt performance that it was so silent, the people were in such rapt attention that you could have heard a pin drop. The response from those homeless people to our ministry was very heartening.''
But the Bowery Mission experience wasn't a one-way deal. The Greenbrier youngsters learned a thing or two, as well.
``They got to hear testimonies and stories from these people, how they got to where they are now,'' Klefeker said. ``One of the men at the mission used to be a manager of a Shoney's in Newport News who lost everything he had. He explained to the kids how alcohol and other things ruined his life.''
Klefeker said the Bowery ministry work showed his youngsters how people really need help from the Lord. He said it showed that the key to Christianity is a love of people of all races in any condition and that everyone has a need and desire to find peace.
``This ministry helped them see the need and hunger these homeless and destitute people have to hear words of comfort and inspiration,'' he said. ``There's something to be said for getting out of the classroom and seeing life as it is.'' by CNB