Surprise!

This week held two significant days for me personally.  One was surrounded by people who take their neighbourhoods seroiusly and have invested in them greatly.  I met a man who has lived on his street for 25 years and has led 25 people on his street to follow Christ.  Another elderly gentlemen told me that 6 years ago he did not want to move to Victoria, BC because of his grandchildren but today he will not move because of his compassion and love for his neighbours.  It was inspiring to be surrounded by people like these who are invested in the very place they live.  Second, I was at a gathering surrounded by my neighbours for whom I have had a growing compassion and love.  One gentleman who grew up with the Scriptures and the church

professed to having lost his faith.  Another single mother shared her many life lessons while standing next to her teenage daughter.   I listened for a couple of hours as my food became cold.  These are two neighbours who surprised  me because they could teach and preach better than most.  It surprised me to encounter beautiful people who need to be heard...and loved!

Harvesting in the neighbourhood

This summer has been filled with many stories.  Stories are valuable.  We often want to tell them or hear them, but most of all, experience them.  We often find that our encounter with neighbours is facilitated by something that happens to us.  The beauty comes in redeeming what has been left broken, or creating when it is not expected.  For example, the harvest season usually leads to new connections or new ideas when we ask neighbours to share in the experience.  Harvesting opens many doors and windows for us to discuss the faithfulness of the seasons, the faithfulness of God and the miracle of new growth.

Maclean's magazine cover story

Check out Maclean's magazine cover story on the stands August 19, 2014.  it is entitles, "Stop Ignoring your neighbours."  Interesting...

Block Party List

Congratulations to Bill and Cheryl on winning a "block party" for Mackenzie Ranch neighbourhood in Lacombe.  The draw was organized by the City of Lacombe, food by Co-op, and the Neighbourhood Life travelling BBQ was on hand with Good Neighbour Coffee to give away this past Wednesday.  This was a first for Mackenzie Ranch,a nd you could tell by the droves of people that came to eat together.  Sunny 94 announced this was happening, and the neighbouring neighbourhood asked if they could join.  Many are intrigued by what has happened so far with a simple block party.  Everyone loves a strong and healthy neighbourhood.

Block Party!

Here are a few pics of block parties in Central Alberta.  When you look at these pictures you may see food, but not the communion that is taking root, you may see birdhouses being built, but not see the caring and loving and generosity that is built.  But these are the reasons we love to see healthy neighbourhoods gathering together.

Building

We have now hosted several block parties over the years.  One block party was a breakfast where only two other people participated, and one was in conjunction with a 40th birthday, including two bands.  This year we built bird houses.  It was a wonderful time because it included ages 3 - 70.  We hammered, painted and played.  The weather turned from sun to wind to rain.  The food was great too!  But in all of this we heard the stories of joy, love and kindness..and healing: the Kingdom of God.  We look forward to attracting more birds, gathering around the fire, having more great BBQ's, and seeing more of the new life that is faithfully represented in the new growth of spring.

Block Party

This is the season for block parties.  I will be attending 10 to which I have been invited.  Some are making use of the Neighbourhood Life trailer BBQ; some want me to come and roast (not brew) coffee on site.  I love it!  After all, I am party guy myself.  But I am constantly reminded that it is not always just about the party.  I have made it a practice to listen whether it is at a party or as I walk/bike through our the neighbourhood.  This is a prayerful act where we look and listen with the eyes of God and see what He sees or hear what He hears:  joy, generosity, pain, brokenness, etc. We can learn a lot about our neighbours by being observant:  bumper stickers, the unkempt home, hear a story or see new growth.  But we might miss it if we think it's just a party.