Ground Zero   New York

Christmas 2001

See Michael's New York Diaries

Updated 31/1/02

MICHAEL’S NEW YORK  DIARY  -    DECEMBER 2001

Transcribed from audio recordings made by Mike Halsey 19th-29th December 2001

Wednesday, 19^thDecember

I arrived at Newark Airport, New York, at 3 am GMT (10 pm New York time) with light luggage, cards & small gifts from  churches in Poynton together with tapes & CDs bearing a song & messages of comfort from my church (PBC). All these were destined for those who had lost loved ones in the tragic events of September 11^th.   I was met by Greg Adair, a Christian I had briefly met during my last trip to New York (N.Y.) in 1995. We travelled to Greg's apartment, using N.Y.’s efficient bus & subway system, arriving at 125^th Street in Harlem (a much improved area since the 1980's).He kindly offered me his bunk bed (that was two feet from the ceiling!) while he  slept on the couch, which he felt would be too short for me!

Thursday, 20^th December

Mid-morning we went out to a local diner for an American brunch/breakfast and tasted the delights of caramel light cappuccino; food and drink-wise you are really spoilt for choice in New York.  We then travelled down to Lower Manhattan to the site of Ground Zero which is the heart of the financial district.  We walked around the entire perimeter of the site where in total seven buildings were demolished following the crashes.  A desolate site of several acres ; the men from the Fire Department (NYFD), wrecking crews and Police Department (NYPD) work 24 hours a day in order to clear the site and start rebuilding as soon as possible.  By the time I arrived the site was almost levelled, with an estimated 500 million tons of debris already removed by large trucks out to Statton Island.  The workers are now working in the "pit" which used to be the seven stories below ground level. Sadly they are now finding “clusters” of dead bodies gathered together in the erstwhile underground restaurants and car parks etc. 

Over lunch we fell into conversation with other visitors to New York ,a retired naval officer, his wife & daughter from Washington. It turned out that the daughter is with  Government coastguard  medical centre & works very closely  with those giving counseling  to those who lost loved ones in the Pentagon attack on the 11th September. I told her why I was in New York & she gladly accepted cards, tapes & CD’s to  pass on to these people. 

We visited St. Paul’s Chapel which is adjacent to Ground Zero .This beautiful church completed in 1766 & where George Washington used to worship now has it's railings decked with banners and messages from the people of New York and far away, in tribute to those who died on the 11th.  At this stage, I didn't gain to access to the church as it was used exclusively for firemen and policemen seeking food and rest whilst working at Ground Zero.

It was bitterly cold that late afternoon  and I sought refuge around the corner in St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church to sit quietly and warm up! I was then “roped into” joining a group of professional singers from Broadway who were rehearsing for a carol concert to be based at Ground Zero that evening.  That was a very moving experience, some of which I taped, as that evening I joined them outside singing joyous carols for Christmas, again as a tribute to those who lost loved ones on the 11th.  Standing in the crowd on that cold bitter evening singing these songs and holding lighted candles seemed in a way to be a fulfillment of a “vision” of what I felt it would be like at Ground Zero this Christmas.

Friday, 21^st December

Newscaster Pat Reilly  from United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) in UK, who had recently visited New York. recommended I went to the Harvest Christian Fellowship in 55^th Street. Shortly after  the 11th this church had teamed up with the Billy Graham Prayer Centre, in order to co-ordinate Christian volunteer response in the city for victims of the WTC tragedy .It was good to join other Christian volunteers from all over the USA in their praise and worship in the morning. As a new volunteer I & others were put through a short training session including a training video before being assigned to the Lamb's Church (Church of the Nazarene), on 44^th Street, very close to Times Square. 

The Lamb's Church was originally an actor’s theatre, frequented  by the likes of Fred Astaire and Irvine Berlin who was reputed to have written "White Christmas" before the lovely open fireplace in the lobby.  The ground & first floors had for the last 2 weeks been converted into a 'Toy Store' for  people who had suffered financially from the WTC tragedy. They were given vouchers to come to the church & chose toys & games  for their children and grand children. 

I was originally assigned to breaking up cardboard boxes in the basement, then stacking hundreds of donated toys & then helping our visitors with their shopping. It was a pure delight to be giving these people new toys & toiletries etc, and  to see them walking out with black bin liners bulging with gifts etc. People were also offered the chance to talk with “counsellors “ to hear the Christian message of Christmas & ask for any prayer  needs they may have.

To be part of that operation held in God’s house was both humbling and exciting for volunteers like myself. The entire operation was run by Pastor John Bowen  and Donna, his assistant.  They both looked pretty stressed out &  after

praying with Donna, she recommended I also talk to John. We both appreciated a wonderful time of prayer and fellowship together. The  following day when I came into work again  -  they offered me a small bedroom at the top of the building for the rest of my mission in New York…… Praise the Lord as I would now be based in the centre of where I would be working in Manhattan !

Saturday, 22^nd December

After a short service at  Harvest Fellowship , we did a little sightseeing visiting the United Nations building. This is right on the East River in Mid-town NY & we were amazed to see the roads cordoned off all around -a security precaution against further terrorist attacks ? Unfortunately time prevented us going on a guided tour of the building. In the afternoon we worked at the Lamb's Church again-it was very busy being the last full day open.

Sunday, 23^rd December

A lovely morning service at the Lamb’s Church .The Pastor, John Bowen was leading & gave a very profound sermon on God’s lasting peace as his Christmas message.

That afternoon was the last time the ”toy store” was open and in view of the shortage of counsellors I was asked to join a small team on first floor to encourage shoppers to talk about their practical & prayer needs & also share the gospel message of God’s unconditional love for them. I saw several people that afternoon who told me of their  problems –many of them seeking prayer for their families & friends. I heard many  stories including from Doris who told me of her friend Annette who worked in one of the twin towers & had managed to escape only to find her mother Lillian had died of a heart attack whilst watching the news unfolding. Many had lost their jobs because of the 11th September & were suffering greater financial  hardship. I prayed with an father & his 2 children-the family were in crisis-he had lost his job & his marriage was fast failing. The Holy Spirit  was really moving and 4  women I saw felt lead to make a commitment to Christ that afternoon… Lachelle, Victoria, Shaneckqwau & Crystal.,……Hallelujah!!…( Please pray all these people  including  these new Christians.)

In the evening service ,run by a new church organisation called “ Morning Star “ I heard wonderful testimonies about how people in New York had changed (for the better )  since the 11th of September as well as an excellent  address from their Pastor.

Christmas Eve

I came across a couple of Fire Stations, prayed and called in. Firstly Ladder Co. No.8  which just had one engine and a handful of fire officers ; they sadly lost their Lieutenant on the 11th September.  I left cards and CD's for the man's family with Fire Officer Kevin who told me the Lieutenant had left five young sons and just after the WTC tragedy his wife, Maria,  discovered she was pregnant. (Please pray for Maria and her family).

I then visited Ladder Co. No 1.in Duane St. Mid-Manhattan & chatted to the firemen at this much larger station. As we talked they offered me pistachio nuts and one fireman called Eddie, told me that he was with the French film crew filming his Unit, when they heard the first ‘plane strike the first tower. This is the film that we saw in the UK & rest of Europe ,showing the first pictures of this tragedy. 

I went to the Salvation Army Command Centre on 14^th Street to volunteer for work and was told by Major Pollak to report back again on Wednesday 26^th as  they had been inundated with volunteers for the immediate Christmas period.  I revisited St. Paul's Chapel at just the right time as  they were letting members of the public in for 2 evening services.  This was the first time the church had been opened to members of the public for 3 months.  It was wonderful to go into this large chapel which was so bright and colourful, be-decked  with trailers, posters & cards, not just on the walls but on all the pews as well.  Thousands of cards from well wishers including many children - it was a delight to see.  The service was filmed & afterwards the camera crew interviewed me as they interested in why I was in New York.  Afterwards, I volunteered and was asked to come back again the following day.

Outside the chapel I walked passed a large well built man in his late 20’s / early 30’s  who was gazing over to the Ground Zero  site &  was visibly  upset  with tears in his eyes. I walked back to him, praying that I might be of some comfort to him. I put my hand on his shoulder & quietly asked him if  he had lost friends in the twin towers on the 11th. He told me he had lost many friends. I felt  led to ask him if he had lost anyone particularly close to him & he blurted out amidst his tears that his brother Luke had  died that day. I  told him I was a Christian from England  & would like to pray for him & his family  . He gratefully accepted my  offer  as he said he knew Jesus and that was the only thing that was sustaining him through  the incredible sense of loss he was feeling  for his brother & friends. He also took some cards & the recorded tape  I had brought from my church. ( Please pray for Brendan & his family )

That evening I went to Nino's Restaurant to volunteer ; this is the restaurant that was opened for the police and fire officer's exclusively after the WTC tragedy to offer food and rest on a 24 hour basis. Before my shift I ate with some Police officers who were sharing their experiences of the 11th September & it’s aftermath. I ended up chopping lettuce in the massive warehouse behind with another volunteer, a Judge from Canada ! Then I was washing sinks ‘till 12 o'clock and started singing "It was Christmas Day in the Workhouse". I then wished everybody a very happy Christmas & took a subway back to Times Square.

Christmas Day

Up reasonably early & rushed out to get to a service at Times Square Church.  Regretfully, few people knew where it was and when I eventually found it, I was disappointed to learn it  & other churches weren't opened today of all days!  After a quick brunch I went down to Ground Zero, & was staggered to see the number of people standing in the bright sunshine outside the perimeter of the site, looking at the desolation of the destroyed buildings & the 100’s of placards and cards pinned to  the fences. Although there must have been 150/200 people here next to St. Peter's Church, there was an air of solemnity as people stood in near silence reading the heart-felt words pinned to the fences.

I then made my way to St. Paul's Chapel and volunteered to help out with the tea, coffee and light snacks which we dispensed to the NYPD/NYFD who were using the church again as sanctuary for rest and relaxation.  As Ground Zero was only working on a 'skeleton staff', it was a fairly quiet day in the church, but I had a good opportunity to talk to some officers & to the other  volunteers.  I learnt that some firemen  still wanted to work today at Ground Zero , looking for the bodies of lost brothers, fathers and uncles who died on 11^th September.

Later in the evening, we were treated to bagpipes being played on the plinth outside the church.  Even later in the evening, many people were still outside the church viewing the banners and the placards & we invited many of them to write their own messages offering them felt pens. This was another opportunity for me to speak to a number of people, including those who had lost loved ones in the tragedy and I was therefore able to pass on cards and tapes from my Church.

Wednesday, 26^th December

Although not a Public Holiday as in Britain, many people were around as I arrived at the Salvation Army Command Centre that morning.  They assigned me to work at two of their major Disaster Centres run by the Salvation Army, the Red Cross and other agencies in Mid-town Manhattan.  However, the only opportunity to work at Ground Zero, at the Salvation Army "Dome", was during the “graveyard” shift of 11pm to 7a.m. Saturday morning -I took it!  Miraculously, I quickly got security clearance for all areas including the highly sensitive area of Ground Zero.  It took some time to get my security tags in which time I had a pleasant conversation with a retired Salvation Army Lieutenant Colonel Davidson from Chicago.  He reaffirmed the Salvation Army's ethos from their founder, William Booth, of rolling up their sleeves and helping God's children, showing compassion and at the same time spreading the gospel of Christ.  It was good to be part of an organisation who welcomed you taking opportunities to get alongside people and to evangelise for Christ whilst working at their disaster sites.   

In the afternoon, I was assigned to The Worth Street Centre, a massive building, with hundreds of workers processing grant applications etc for families affected by the WTC tragedy.  I worked with Donna and Jane (a crazy Anglophile) in the canteen serving food and I even managed to arrange an "English Tea Party" for us with Liptons tea and chocolate biscuits – a great laugh!  

Thursday, 27^th December

I had to report in at 9am to Pier 94 on the West shore of Manhattan and I can tell you that the wind coming off the Hudson River was absolutely freezing!  After a short briefing session I discovered that I was a "Case Worker" which meant that I and my partner were to interview people affected by the WTC tragedy who were seeking financial assistance. This on first reflection seemed to be a very negative day as virtually every applicant we had we discovered were trying to “free-load” the system and consequently many of the applications had to be turned down.  Although disappointing for me and my partner, it meant that we were able to help reduce a long waiting list, enabling genuine cases which our co-workers dealt with to go through.  It also gave me the opportunity to witness to a young man called Isaiah, who had a Buddhist father and a Roman Catholic mother!  This was most opportune as he was on a bit of a spiritual search at the time.  (God never wastes opportunities)

In the evening, I went with two of my co-workers to see the beautiful decorations and ice skating at the Rockerfeller Centre. The decorations there were very beautiful including hosts of Angels looking up to the most colourful Christmas tree I've ever seen, and people skating along the small pond that's in the middle of Manhattan!  As it was well below freezing my camcorder packed up and one of our cameras froze!  One of my co-workers was called Lynette & had travelled all the way up from Costa Rica, leaving her very understanding family as she volunteered to work over Christmas.  Many of the other volunteers I met during my trip came from many parts of the USA and Canada and were very pleasantly surprised to know I had come all the way from England.

I had a very late supper, (I think it was 11 pm) in an Irish Pub and this was most welcome, it was very cold outside. 

Friday,  28^th December

Rendezvoused with Greg Adair at the Salvation Army Headquarters. He wanted to give me a Bible study as he was very concerned on doctrinal issues about the way the Lamb's Church were "leading people to Christ".  He was adamant that from the teaching he had received, nobody could receive salvation without first being baptised.  Although as a Baptist I believe in Adult Baptism, I do not believe, as many other committed Christians , that it is mandatory for the purpose of receiving salvation.  I am afraid Greg became somewhat adamant about his theology and he promptly left after saying some unfortunate things. This was witnessed by a Hispanic worker called Phil who had been listening to us.  He joined me and as a result of our conversation, recommitted his life to Christ that afternoon ………. Hallelujah!

Somewhat shattered by these experiences, they then asked me (after a short break !) to paint one of the offices in the Command Centre. Fortunately, my DIY skills came in to very good use at this time!  

I tried to get some sleep that evening in preparation for my evening shift, but did manage to have a very pleasant cup of tea with Alan and Sharon, a couple who came to the Lamb's Church to look after it for a couple of weeks and are still there  three months later!

11pm Ground Zero - this was quite an experience working within this large domed tent, which was basically a massive canteen/rest room/warehouse  for all the workers at Ground Zero. I was put on "Coffee Ministry", which meant manning four large coffee urns that were on the go all night.  I am pleased to say that at quieter times I did manage to talk to some of the workers from the site and pass on some tapes and cards I had left.  It was a real thrill at 5.30 am to be taken out by the Salvation Army Major in charge, around the brightly lit Ground Zero itself, in a small dumper truck, surveying this incredible site on the inside perimeter road that was closed to the public.  One of the most astonishing sites was to see a small pile of metal that I was told was the only remains of a fire engine literally pulverised by the fall of the buildings.  

Saturday, 29^th December

At 1 pm, after 2 or 3 hours rest, I was determined to use my last afternoon in New York sight-seeing at the Empire State Building and shopping in Manhattan.

God,  I believe, had other ideas!  He got me connected with a young man called Angelo who was begging for money in a pizza bar that lunchtime.  He was so surprised that I was prepared to help him that we talked for 2 hours, during which time having shared the Gospel message with him, he made a commitment to Christ! He was delighted with the warm hats I gave him for himself & his disabled girlfriend.

It was now just before 4 pm and I knew I had to leave for the Airport at 5.30pm. I got to the Empire State Building only to find a massive queue and was just about to give up when the Assistant saw my Ground Zero Salvation Army tag and said I could go right to the head of the queue without paying!  I managed to get to the top of the building and view the last vestiges of a beautiful sunset over Lower Manhattan and film the whole of Manhattan before the light went.  I got down to street level again in less than one hour in total - when normally the whole thing would have taken at least 3 hours…..God is good! 

There are many other stories relating to my time in New York and regretfully this is only a brief précis.

Many times before I left for NY, I (and many others no doubt !) thought I was a bit crazy to go to a strange city like NY with effectively no permanent place to stay, no plan of action as to what I would be doing or who I would be meeting.  I earnestly believe that God had all that in hand as I not only felt His protection whilst in this great city, but felt he kept all those "divine appointments" for me in His perfect timing.  All I had to do was trust Him.  

Finally I would like to thank all those people who supported me in going to New York, prayerfully and practically, my family, friends & my church.  May I wish you all God's blessing for a peaceful and happy 2002. 

Michael Halsey

12th January, 2002

E-Mail    michaelhalsey@bigfoot.com

www.pbc.org.uk

*****

If you are reading this and have been affected in any way, please send us an email or sign our visitors book found under 'contact us'.