Thoughts on being a neighbor

We are such a busy people! One has to be extremely intentional to not be busy. Most of us are pretty lousy at it... including myself. I mean, really, what is my excuse? My job involves being a good neighbor to my neighbors through community development, yet I am still too busy doing that to actually be at home. We have to be present to build a relationship. Can you imagine if all Christians were intentional with how they related to their neighbors? It would be beautiful!

With this on my mind for the last couple of weeks, I've made more of an effort to be around. Even with these efforts, I've only made time for an extra hour to be available for whatever sporatic conversation or "hello" I get from people walking by. The amazing thing is, God uses the time. You can't predict it. Sometimes I'll be around and not have a meaningful conversation with anyone... and sometimes I will. As I was pulling into the driveway late Saturday night, a neighbor that I've talked to a few times before was walking by. We ended up talking for a half an hour about life, God, work, and everything else. She's an amazing single mother with a bunch of talents that are not being used. She moved to this neighborhood a few months ago and is looking for friendships. We're going to lunch today to hang out.

I wonder how many relationships we miss out on because we're too busy. Even when we're home we stay inside and watch TV. I challenge you to go outside. You never know what God has in store.

Judgement

Last night after soccer I gave a few of the kids a ride back home. As I drove down our street there was a car stopped in the middle of the road, making it almost impossible to pass on either side. So I slowed down, thinking he would move. He moved a little, giving me enough to room to squeeze through, but then a group of guys walked out where I was going to pass. I was a little annoyed, but I recognized one of them so I honked and jokingly yelled at them to get out of the street. Then, a guy on a bike who I've never seen before nearly ran into the front of my car. They wouldn't move. In fact, they almost ignored me completely. I decided the only way to make them move is if I started driving slowly to "push" them out of the way. It worked. But after I got through I felt a little uncomfortable. I looked in my mirror to see if they were laughing, but they weren't. I wondered if I had disrespected them and began to second guess my "good" connection with the neighbors. After I dropped off the kids I had to drive by the same spot. All the same guys were outside, but the car had moved. I waved and smiled, but they didn't respond. Not good.

Later on that night I heard a commosion in my front yard. I looked out my window and saw a girl passed out on my driveway. I went outside to investigate. I turned out she was a friend of one of my neighbors and had drank too much Jack Daniels. She woke up and tried to stand up but ended up falling flat on her face on the cement. I got her some water but she hit it out of my hand and it landed all over me. By that time about a dozen neighbors had walked by. Her friends pulled up the car but we couldn't get her in. Then one of the guys that I had an incident with earlier pulled up on his bike. He offered to help but told I him we were okay. He motioned for me to come over and talk to him. When I came over he explained that people "talk" in the neighborhood and that it didn't look good to have a girl passed out in front of my house, even if it wasn't my guest. He told me that in our neighborhood, people watch out for each other and that's what he was trying to do. I felt convicted. A few hours earlier I had him written off as a disrespectful gangster that could potentially be a threat to me. And here he was trying to help me by carrying this complete stranger covered in vomit over to the car. I was humbled.

Saying Goodbye

I can't believe my summer with Kingdom Causes is almost over. In a week I'll be back in Grand Rapids, Michigan buying books and soaking up my last breaths of summer air. This summer has truly been a remarkable summer. I have learned so much and have really seen God working throughout the city. I have been amazed at the many signs of transformation I have seen throughout the past three months. I have gotten to know a lot of neighbors while working on Eucalyptus street and it has been great seeing them get more involved throughout the summer. I think the importance of building relationships has been one of the biggest lessons I have learned while working here. It is amazing what happens when we just hang-out and talk with people. I am sad to be saying goodbye and will miss so many things about working here. I will miss swim days with the girls Chrissy and I are mentoring, playing soccer with the neighborhood boys, playing intense games of fuseball and ping-pong, sitting out on Chrissy front lawn connecting with her neighbors, and morning prayers with Pat Holwerda and other neighbors. But most of all, I will miss the friendships I have made. Working here has helped me grow in so many ways and has truly been a great experience. I know that God has great plans for Bellflower and Kingdom Causes and I cant wait to hear more stories of transformation when I come home at Christmas.