Who is my Neighbor?
Read Luke 10: 25-37…
Who is your neighbor? A tough question, but in New Orleans, it could be a lot of different folks. A few of us met the neighbor who was the daughter of the owner of the house we worked on for the whole week. We also met the next-door neighbor, a college professor, who has gotten students together and helped “gut” 15 homes in New Orleans. When we apologized for getting debris on his newly gardened side yard, he said, “Not to worry,” because he knew what we were doing. He’d been through the process many times.
Our neighbors were also the wonderful folks at Little Farms UCC where we stayed. They opened their church home to us, and they provided us a wonderful welcoming dinner and fellowship after our first day of work. They had stories to share about how they rode out the storm, literally and figuratively. They come together one night a week, at least three weeks a month to provide welcoming dinners for the volunteer teams that stay in their church. Where do they get the motivation to keep doing this? They’re listening to Jesus’ message. Even facing the hardships they have encountered, they continue to welcome the volunteers. They are real neighbors!
Our neighbors also were the wonderful folks at Beecher Memorial Church who provided us with these beautiful prayer shawls. Doing something for someone else, even when you have so little, that’s being a neighbor like Jesus said to be. Their worship space is smaller than our chapel and the source of electricity to run the fans and give them some light is the generator that Alan Coe, director of the UCC Disaster Response Team, brings to the church each Sunday. Those are neighbors helping each other.
Our neighbors were the people in the shops in the French Quarter, struggling to get back on their feet and keep their wonderful shops opened. We happily helped them in that task on the Wednesday night we had dinner out!
Our neighbor was the lady we met in the lower ninth ward, one of the few who have already returned. She lives in a “handicapped FEMA trailer.” She has lived on that plot of ground for the past 45 years.
Our neighbors were also the wonderful family and friends, UCC members, and neighbors of Jenise, the first homeowner to have a house completed entirely by UCC volunteer teams. We got to attend the house blessing, which Meg will tell you about.
Our neighbors are also all those who choose to donate money to “Hope Shall Bloom,” even though they have never been there or seen the devastation. Contributing to “Hope Shall Bloom,” is never a waste of money!
Neighbors are all around. You don’t have to go to New Orleans to help your neighbor. Just try to remember to do as Jesus asked, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
And all God’s people said, “Hallelujah!”
5 Real Road (corner of Stockdale & Real)
Bakersfield, CA 93309
Phone: 661-327-1609
FAX: 661-327-4443
Sunday Services & Church School: 10 AM
(Services last about an hour, dress is casual)
Nursery care available
E-mail: firstcong(at)postoffice.igalaxy.net
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