Florami does God's work in New York

Florami (third from left) with some of the volunteers

By Susan Palmes-Dennis


Charlotte, North Caroina--From community builder to church mission trips, Florami Lao Cordero–Lee keeps busy these days by serving the Lord through Sunday School.


Lee recently helped in gathering the biggest Sunday School in Bronx, New York and offered to work for the Metro World Child group based in Brooklyn, New York.


The Metro World Child Group is an organization founded by Pastor Bill Wilson. Lee was invited by Lisa Sustar of Joy Church based in Matthwes, North Carolina. The New York mission trip was held from June 7- 10.


“We took youth groups aged 11 to 19 years old and 6 adults,” Lee said. The organization is a global faith-based humanitarian group dedicated to serving inner city children throughout New York City and urban centers around the world.

Sustar organized the trip and the volunteers meet for a few Sundays to learn about the mission trip and to get to know everyone.


“We had one final day to get together and spent dinner with the families before our departure. Most of the people that went were families too. When we got to work the first day, at the Metro World Child's warehouse, we have to put together 1,000 small boxes, then filled it up with goodies. I think we finished in less than three hours,” Lee said.

Lee was the president of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas, Inc (FACC) five years ago. 

For the mission trip, Lee said the volunteers were divided into groups of three and were accompanied by a preacher and interns for a sidewalk Sunday school.


“We went with a Korean lady from Japan, another lady from France and one from Canada.The preachers is from Russia. We went to three areas in the Bronx and helped with the singing, registration and witnessing to children,” Lee said.


On Saturday, Lee said the volunteers picked up the children from the inner cities in a school bus and brought them to a school auditorium for Sunday school.


“The boxes we made were given to these children as we brought them back home in the school bus again.There were almost 55 kids in the bus i was in, Some were siblings and the youngest was two years old,” Lee said.


“It was a very humbling experience to be able to volunteer and give hope to the children through Sunday School. This is all for God's glory. He gives me time, talent and resources. With the support of my family and friends and prayers. God willing, I will do it again,” Lee said.


This is Lee’s second mission trip after her trip to Nicaragua in October last year. As someone who personally witnessed her work up close, Lee truly exudes the spirit of volunteerism.