Being neighbors and growing roots

Tonight was a free evening, and little Derek and Evan came knocking on our door to "show us something". It was a GIANT zucchini in our garden that we had missed! Then we had a birthday surprise to show Derek, who just turned 4 on July 4th. Did I want to ride bikes for a bit? Sure! That led to reading some books and playing with the farm and racing cars until it was bedtime. When I finally left their house the sun was setting, and Inousa, our friendly and intelligent neighbor from Burkina Faso, was out back listening to music from his truck. I stopped and chatted for a while - he is getting ready to go back home, and so is soaking in the last weeks of his life in America. He always has interesting insights into life and culture here, and I appreciate his perspective.

It's nights like this that I am so grateful to have enough free space in my life to spontaneously spend time with neighbors. I am in love with this place and its people. When it's not blazing hot outside, I relish simply walking the streets of Allison Hill, with no particular aim except to know this place and be known. I want to memorize each back-street and get acquainted with the people so that everyone doesn't look the same to me anymore. Although my neighborhood certainly has its share of death, most days I can't help but be overwhelmed by the life that is so fully present here - kids laughing and playing together in the streets, families relaxing on their porches, guys hanging out and making fun. Although I certainly am still an oddity here, there's no place I'd rather be.

And as I walk the streets and go about my daily routine, I can't help but see the possibilities. Abandoned houses become loved and lived-in places. Empty lots become community spaces. And strangers become neighbors. I have so many dreams that I want to live out here. To truly know and love the people that God has placed here with me. To begin to understand the complexities of this place. To learn about the good work that is already being done by so many committed people. To discover my niche and what I am meant to do here. Some days there is an urgency to this last question - wanting to know what I'm supposed to do. But on days like today, I am content to spend time with neighbors - learning a little more about them and sharing in their lives.

A wise friend recently shared a quote by Henri Nowen that expresses the feeling I have well: "More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time and freedom to practice this simple ministry of presence..." I pray that God will use this desire in me as I continue to set down roots here...

What a wonderful world...

This week has left me with many markers pointing to God's goodness. Not that it's been an easy or carefree week - in fact, each day there have been disappointments or frustrations that have gotten me down. But each day there have been clear reminders of the goodness of God. Through life-giving conversations with friends, the beauty of creation, connections with co-workers, the smiles of children, and the special gift of new life, God has reminded me of the great blessings in life.

Usually things aren't this clear for me - my learning is usually much more muddled. Perhaps that's why I'm sharing this now...because God did make it clear that this is something to pay attention to. My prayer is that my eyes will always be open and attentive to see this. Amidst the small everyday struggles and the large overwhelming challenges, may we all see God and his goodness in this wonderful world.

It may sound funny, but the way I often experience joy is that songs will start welling up in my heart - and flowing out my lips :) Today the song in my heart was Louis Armstrong's classic "It's a Wonderful World". Here are the words...

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"

I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world.