Last night I walked door to door to 26 homes that are on our street and adjoining cul de sacs. In my hand was an invite for a Neighborhood Open House at the McMahon home on Dec 14th. Janet and I have been inspired and challenged by our Restore staff team to have a "block party like" event as part of our 24 Outreach/Service projects prior to our March 2, 2008 public launch date. So with the weather turning chilly and the Holiday season upon us, we decided on a Christmas Open House.
As I walked up to each house and hit the doorbell, people would cautiously peer thru their side-lites and then slowly open their door. When I introduced myself as their neighbor, it was an amazing transition in their demeanor. They smiled, they introduced themselves, and after I gave them the invite and a little spiel, they said thank you. I really think people are going come. I know I shouldn't be surprised, but for some reason I am.
At one home, a high school girl took the invitation and introduced herself as Morgan. She happened to attend the same high school and be the same age as my son Jake. She told me she had seen we had moved from Illinois and had wanted to introduce herself. I said well come by our open house on the 14th. About an hour later after I was back home watching TV with Mitch and the doorbell rang. There was Morgan with a plate of brownies. She came in and spent the next hour or so chatting with myself, Mitch, Jake and Janet.
You know...People are longing for community...for connection....I love this church planting journey and I am really looking forward meeting many of my neighbors on Dec 14th.
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I couldn't agree more Troy. People really want to have a community. Like the way my neighbor happens to walk her dogs when we are outside...
Thanks for inspiring me.
Posted by: Shelley | November 30, 2007 at 12:48 PM