Documentary of Sidewalk Sunday School

The documentary Sounds of the Night portrays the Sidewalk Sunday School for kids on the streets of New York City as its main setting. It tells the story of Mirjam, a 21-year-old who decides to leave behind a traditional academic career in her safe home country of Finland and move to the ghettos of the largest city in the U.S.

In the unsafe boroughs of New York City, Mirjam begins working as part of the Metro World Child organization, which brings hope to inner-city children exposed to drugs, violence, crime, gangs, neglect, and poverty. The driving force behind their hectic work, filled with unexpected and ever-changing situations, is the passion to share the love of God and offer hope to these children. In Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and other boroughs of the city, their Sidewalk Sunday Schools and visits provide hope for kids whose environments are deemed hopeless by the police.

The documentary presents the journey of an ordinary young person making different choices. It portrays Mirjam’s unique path, capturing the pain of leaving behind a familiar life as well as the joy of giving love and experiencing the rewards of sacrifice.

Sounds of the Night was filmed in infamous neighborhoods of New York City, as well as in Finland. It focuses on Mirjam’s departure from her home country and her life as a volunteer Sidewalk Sunday School teacher for Metro World Child.

Metro World Child is one of the ten largest Christian organizations in the world. The global organization was founded about 40 years ago in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, where it is still headquartered. Today, the organization operates in a total of 13 countries worldwide. The documentary includes a personal story of Pastor Bill Wilson, the founder and leader of Metro World Child.

Documentary information

• Name: Sound of the Night
• Directing: Mika and Ruut Ahonen
• Interviewees: Mirjam Mielikäinen, Bill Wilson, Esko and Aili Mielikäinen
• Language: English and Finnish (subtitled: in Finnish, Swedish and Spain dubbed: Russia)
• Lenght: 28 minutes
• Published: 2014
• Producer: Mika Ahonen
• Production: Hurttimurtti