Settling In

By Tim Knapp

What a sight...4 Knapps; 14 pieces of luggage. As we stood atop our mountain of suit cases we only hoped we could get them all in one vehicle. It would require a van-taxi, which luckily, are plentiful here in NYC. We managed. But of course, the driver barely spoke enough broken English for me to understand him trying to tell me via cellphone where he had pulled up.

After 10 minutes of carting luggage across the busiest street at LaGuardia, we finally got everything loaded. Barely had room for all the girls! After an interesting 20 minute ride through the city to our apartment, and getting a fair history lesson on Russian politics, the Uzbekistan driver unloaded us in front of our building 839 West End Avenue.

We slept the first couple of nights on mattresses on the floor with make-shift covers, since our bedding hadn't yet arrived via mail, and we only had one actual mattress and an inflatable. But thanks to the internet and Craig's List, we soon made several furniture acquisitions, making our place a bit more comfy.

There's nothing like Craig's List in NYC! Hundreds of listings for furniture, housewares, etc., appearing daily...and all only a few minute's commute away. A couple million people within such a small area, of which probably 95% don't have a vehicle, present a lot of opportunities for furnishings that are either free or very much on the cheap. Many simply say, come and get it; others sell at vastly discounted prices, since if it doesn't sell they have to leave it anyway. Problem is, though, you either have to carry it or hire a "man with a van" to help you. And that's what we did. My friend Dave (a 26 year old from Michigan who, along with his wife Crystal, became our first NYC friends back in October) and another friend, Young Hoon from Korea, helped me go pick up a mattress for Beth's bed. When's the last time you saw 3 guys walking down the street with a mattress on their heads? And then we went to an apartment to pick up another free item, but this time a sofa sleeper a family couldn't take with them. I called on a guy with a van from Brooklyn who had helped me with a few items back in October. Carrying a sleeper down tight stairways ain't exactly easy no matter how many hands you have! And then last night, as I decided to do a quick check on items listed on the upper west side of Manhattan (our area) I found a much needed desk only 5 blocks down the street. After a quick offer and deal, I headed out to seal the transaction. Pretty simple, really; hello, here's the cash, give me the desk. And off I went, carrying a desk on my shoulders up West End Avenue back to my building. I managed to get it into the building, up the stairs, and into the apartment without waking a soul. Mission accomplished. And all by 1:30 am.

Since arriving Tuesday, Lindsey has gone skiing, Beth's been out with a friend for Ben & Jerry's ice cream, we've enjoyed at least three meals with company in our new apartment, and been out to other family's places a couple of times as well. We've been amazed at what God has gone before us and done; so many neat relationships already in place, so many friends eager to help and know our story. We truly feel at home and that we're a part of this community. And then to attend church--we did two services today--and meet so many who are so willing to help in any way possible. It reminds us how vital Christian community is and what a difference it makes to be a part of it.

And while I'm on the topic of Community...what a blessing it has been over the nights we've been here to sit together last thing before bed and read the cards from the church back home. What a lift we've received from our friends. We are so thankful for the considerate time taken by so many to encourage us and send us off with their blessing.