It's Worth It

My own words, the ones I’ve spoken countless times at various trainings and KCB classes, were bouncing around in my brain all day. I couldn’t get my own voice out of my head:

“You have to establish a real relationship with your marginalized neighbors.

It’s hard.

It takes time.”

“You have to form an actual friendship to make any kind of sustainable difference.

It’s hard.

It takes time.

It COSTS YOU something”

I was spending the day with a young friend who was currently homeless, trying to help her get access to a stable roof over her head. Since my role at KCB these days involves mostly administrative tasks… my case management skills were a little rusty. Nevertheless, I did my best to ask good questions, listen a LOT, and wrack my brain for tangible ways that I could love and support my neighbor.

It was hard.

It took time.

It cost me something.

Yet, those 12 hours drove me to the feet of Jesus in a way that I don’t believe I have ever experienced before. On my own, I couldn’t solve the glaring problems and impossible hurts that my friend was facing. I couldn’t wave a magic wand and conjure up a workable solution. I came to the end of my rope, desperate for the Lord to intervene. In hindsight, it’s clear that’s exactly where He needed me to be.

Jehovah Jireh, God the provider, did provide a solution for my friend. Yet, His provision is not the end of the story. Sure, she has a roof over her head and regular meals to count on, but a real relationship… a real friendship… wouldn’t be content with just that. A real relationship means I follow up regularly. A real relationship means I make a space at my family’s table this Christmas. A real relationship mean I continue riding out the lows and celebrating the successes.

It’s hard.

It takes time.

It will cost me something.

And it’s SO worth it.

Matthew 25:30

I tell you the truth: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.

-Abbey Nishimoto

Community Fellows Reflections: Sarah

Hello All!

                  Hoping and praying that this letter finds you well.  I am well into my fourth month of the Kingdom Causes Bellflower: Fellows program and it has continued to be quite a whirlwind.  To jog your memory, I am still living in a low-income area and reaching out to neighbors to create a type of community that we do not find as much these days.  We are striving to be a light for Jesus and share our faith with those around us.  I am learning more and more how many of our neighbors have been hurt by the Christians and turned off to going to church.  I am just hoping that we are able to shine light and project the great things about the Lord in some small way, and I know the best way to do that is by just praying that I become less and less.  Please join me in praying that my words and interactions are not from my own futile and foolish brain, but rather that the Lord would just step in and guide my every conversation

                  It has been a pretty crazy few months for me in several different areas.  The hospital is, as usual, very busy and exhausting, one of my best friends got engaged so we are planning lots of fun things for her, several friends and coworkers have either become pregnant or given birth, and I am getting to know some of my neighbors a little better.  I have been juggling a lot and learning even more in the last couple months.  I've been learning how to do laundry at the laundromat, how important bug spray is, how to live in a one bedroom apartment and sleep during the day, how to be kind to a neighbor who doesn't even know how to say positive words, how to say "no" to things when I have too much on my plate (although I am still really bad at turning down activities). The most interesting thing that I'm learning about this program is that it's not just something that I am doing; but rather, it is a part of who I am. When I signed on for this, in the back of my head, I this is viewed the whole program as an "after work is over I will do this and that and get to know my neighbors la la la" kind of deal.  No. That is not the case.  The reality of it is that this is my life 100% of the time.  It's not just something I can do when I have free time.  It is enmeshed in everything that I do.  It's not just a hobby or an after school program.  It is every time Lindsay and I go to our favorite restaurant and the owner now knows us by name.  It is mourning with our friend over the loss of a loved one.  It is the struggle of trying to park my big car in my tiny space when my neighbor does not leave me enough room. It is when the manager of the laundromat brings his customers a bottle of water because it's really hot outside.   It is real life.  It is hard and dirty and gritty, much like most relationships.  It is loving Jesus and, because He loves us, being able to love those around us.  I don't think love is meant to be easy.  It definitely was not easy for Jesus to suffer a barbaric death and it wasn't easy for a 16 year-old virgin to tell her parents and fiancé that she was somehow miraculously pregnant.  Now, I'm not trying to compare myself to those two, my point is simply that God calls us to do things that are hard for us so that we can reach for Him in the middle of trying to understand why life is so challenging.   

                  This verse has been my jam over the last few months as I struggle with balancing the challenges of living in a low-income area and working on a floor with very high acuity patients and many stressful nights.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." Peter 5:6-7

Thank you for your prayers and support.  Please continue to pray for the town of Bellflower.

Community Fellows Reflections: Lucy

Hello friends,

I am writing to update you on my experiences with the fellow’s program and life on Eucalyptus Avenue. I am right in the middle of my fourth month and it’s too scary how fast this year is going! I’m pleased to report that my disposition is still cheery and hopeful! However, I can also say that my mindset and heart are being challenged each and every day that I spend in this dynamic neighborhood.

Thus far I have had multiple opportunities to engage with the neighborhood girls who make our front porch (I guess you could call it) their imaginary classroom, stage or home. There are about 6 of them and they range from 1st grade through 7th. They are all so energetic and always greet us by name, which they usually yell. These girls have been a huge blessing because their attitudes towards us, has really facilitated conversation with their parents as well as the surrounding neighbors.

Just recently I got to sit in my neighbor's house while she gave me a haircut. This is her part time job, doing people’s hair by appointment. I got to listen to her story of coming to America, working, starting a family and eventually ending up in the apartment directly across from us. This time spent with her has been one of my most cherished experiences from the last four months. I got to listen to her describe her experiences, learn about her family through her eyes and truly learn about her heart’s passions. I thank God that he gave me this opportunity, and I want to pray that he allows me more of these unique conversations where I get to step into my neighbor’s comfort zone and hear them speak with out reservations.

I want to ask for your support in prayer and thank you so so much if you have been keeping me, Gabi, Janet, and Noemi in your prayers already. I want to ask specifically for prayer that I may continue to get to know my neighbors on a deeper level. That God continues to facilitate these relationships and that I rely on Him to show my neighbor’s Jesus’ love. I also want to ask for prayer in my hospitality. I want to open my doors to my neighbors but I want that to be in a manner that helps them get to know God. Lastly I want to ask prayer for my view on the rest of this year, prayer that I never forget that my neighbors are people with hearts that God created uniquely, not projects.

Thank you so so much,

Lucy Lopez