We started our week Saturday on a sad note by saying goodbye to Ben. Ben was with us all week and did an outstanding job of working his heart out for our community. The biggest task he accomplished was the organization of the 2 story building in preparation of our garage sale. Don't know when he found time, but he built a wheel chair ramp for the chapel, attached shelves in our kitchen refrigerator, served our meal on Thursday, cleaned the tables, fixed the wind chimes at the Bright House and went with us on our visits! Words are not sufficient to say Thank You Ben, just know you have a special place in our hearts.
Everybody seemed to be doing fine as we went around on our visits .Turner, really Bernard, was fine, Richard had his story, Robert was not in his camp because he has gone to rehab, Brad and Charles were waiting in their camp for us and Smokey was full of stories and thoughts. Tim and Matt made their way out to Catfish, Daniel and the Macaroni camps.
While most of us was enjoying a holiday on Monday, Lisa and her family was putting up a chain link fence behind the JJ houses. It looks great and will help with the foot traffic not crossing through the houses. Great job guys.
Matt led the men's Bible fellowship Tuesday evening, reading from Luke 15, reading about the prodigal son. Can't we all identify with both of the sons? Some of us have been lost, some of us has shown jealousy and envy, but in the end our Father loves us and isn't that what is important!
Wednesday afternoon, Ms Lisa had a small informational meeting with some of the interns, talking about plans for the upcoming summer camp. Joey shared his thoughts about getting to know the children and where they are coming from. After the meeting was over, Joey took Ashley, one of our new interns and they walked down the street to meet the children and their guardians, very cool.
Also on Wednesday, we walked the neighborhood handing out flyers for our upcoming feeding program. We even had one of our neighbors offer to walk and hand out flyers in her block, very nice.
Wednesday evening for our family time, Lomax was apologizing profusely about putting the lasagna in late, so we worked in the 2 story for a couple of hours getting things all priced. Dr Phil accused Lomax of making us work for our supper, I think he was right! We had a nice group of folks helping us price things, then enjoyed the late, very late supper prepared by Lomax and Sinotra! Thank guys it was great.
Thursday was filled with more excitement as Ms Abbie and the ladies shared their gifts of music and Brother Brown shared his gifts of words as he shared his thoughts about God. Mr Tom, served up his meal, Ms Abbey and Ms Abbie gave out grocery bags, Ms Lisa conducted the Legal clinic and handed out garage sale coupons, Ms Ardis handed out the juice, Momma T and Ms Dawn washed dishes, a very busy night!
Prayers for the week include, William as he gets settled into his new home. Robert as he goes through his rehab. Ms Patty's daughter, Megan as she has surgery today. The folks from Haiti returning home. Lift up our summer feeding program that it will be a blessing to all who come and for those who will serve. Prayers for our interns as they are introduced to our community and share their hearts with our children. Prayers for our new group of youth arriving Thursday. Roger's former church, Luke Simpson in Lake Charles, is making a return trip to visit with us. Prayers for relationships. Relationships are hard, they need to be nurtured, lvoed on, listened to, spoken softly, prayed for. Prayers for mr brian as he and his wife travel to Dallas for a grandson visit. It has been 2 months, 6 days, 13 hours since we have been there, but who is counting!
Don't forget, our first raising the roof garage sale will be happening this Saturday, June 1st, from 7am to noon in the 2 story. Come by, visit, help, walk through the building, imagine rooms filled with laughter in the coming months, very exciting.
Starting Monday, June 3rd at 8:30 for breakfast and noon for lunch, our summer feeding program begins. Come by, encourage those that are working, sit down with those who are eating and let's get to know our neighbors.
The thing that over whelms me this week is thinking about community. Often when someone say the church, you first think about the pretty buildings, the fancy sign, the big steeple, the manicured lawn. When I think about Common Ground, is not about the buildings, the clean restrooms, the good food, the clothes, the groceries, it is about people, it is about all of you. If all you do do not show up, open your hearts, allow the Spirit to flow through you, Common Ground would not exist.
Ben shows up from Lake Charles by himself. How easy it would have been to call and say, I am not coming because nobody else decided to come. We have folks taking time out of their busy schedules to buy food, pick it up and bring it to the center. We have folks who take it upon themselves, to build fences, mow weeds, make flyers, offer legal advise, over see the funding, supervise. Others, on Saturday mornings, instead of sleeping in, visit with our friends, offering hope, listening to their problems and lvoing them. We have people who hang clothes, hand out juice, water the gardens, plant seeds. We have people who open up their homes, open up their hearts to those who have no where else to go. We have people who allow the children of the neighborhood to come and find a safe place to stay for awhile. Our people, show up to help get things ready for a huge garage sale. Our people, play the piano, si ng, share the Word. Our people reach out to those who are hurting, through a circle of compassion or a visit in their homes.Our people share the lvoe they experience with others, allowing more to come. Our people are flexible, meeting the needs of others. Our people greet and meet our families from out of town.
All of you are special in the eyes of God. Continue to reach out in the name of Jesus. Blessings will follow and God's Kingdom will grow. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you all!
Have a great week, see you Saturday at the sale and next week during the meals. Amen!
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