October 2007
Reaching Out to Youth Through the Ministries of Bethel Temple
Community Spirit
Usually when I hear a siren from a fire truck it causes me anxiety. Selfishly, I am hoping that siren never makes it to my front door. House fires are so common in these neighborhoods and it is terrifying to imagine it happening to me or my neighbors.
But on September 2, a fire truck showed up on our block and I ran to get Justis and Alecia so they could see the firemen at work—not putting out a fire, but cleaning our block!
They started out spraying down an abandoned corner property that had been full of dumped trash (see picture). Several residents of our block bagged the trash that morning and the firemen proceeded to wash it down.
Then, as they usually do, the firemen received a “real” call and had to be on their way before they finished the whole block. Men from our block completed the job.
All this was done to prepare for our Labor Day Block Party. These block parties are pretty common throughout the city, but it had been a long time since our block had a successful one.
Nes initiated the closing of the block a couple of weeks before and knocked door-to-door to encourage people to be involved and contribute food.
The result was amazing, and most of the block participated. There was lots of food, games for kids, a DJ and live music.
We did not aim for this to be a “Christian” event. However, at the end of the day, Nes and another Christian reminded our neighbors of our intention. We initiated the block party because we want them to know that we care about them and our neighborhood, and that Jesus Christ was the source of our love.
Since this event, neighbors are supporting Nes to be the new block captain with our next-door-neighbor as the co-captain. Please pray for our continued involvement in our community—that we would be able to show Christ’s love by working for a better neighborhood to live in.
Usually when I hear a siren from a fire truck it causes me anxiety. Selfishly, I am hoping that siren never makes it to my front door. House fires are so common in these neighborhoods and it is terrifying to imagine it happening to me or my neighbors.
But on September 2, a fire truck showed up on our block and I ran to get Justis and Alecia so they could see the firemen at work—not putting out a fire, but cleaning our block!
They started out spraying down an abandoned corner property that had been full of dumped trash (see picture). Several residents of our block bagged the trash that morning and the firemen proceeded to wash it down.
Then, as they usually do, the firemen received a “real” call and had to be on their way before they finished the whole block. Men from our block completed the job.
All this was done to prepare for our Labor Day Block Party. These block parties are pretty common throughout the city, but it had been a long time since our block had a successful one.
Nes initiated the closing of the block a couple of weeks before and knocked door-to-door to encourage people to be involved and contribute food.
The result was amazing, and most of the block participated. There was lots of food, games for kids, a DJ and live music.
We did not aim for this to be a “Christian” event. However, at the end of the day, Nes and another Christian reminded our neighbors of our intention. We initiated the block party because we want them to know that we care about them and our neighborhood, and that Jesus Christ was the source of our love.
Since this event, neighbors are supporting Nes to be the new block captain with our next-door-neighbor as the co-captain. Please pray for our continued involvement in our community—that we would be able to show Christ’s love by working for a better neighborhood to live in.
No comments:
Post a Comment