A New Neighbor

A few weeks ago I received a call from the manager here in the park. There was a man who was moving into a new trailer but needed help. The man has Parkinson’s, a 13 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. Packing and moving were things completely outside his ability both physically and financially. Yet it became clear early on that this relationship was a “God thing” and that the people in Fusion‘s developing Wauconda Missional Village (focusing around my neighborhood) were uniquely suited to come alongside this man and his family.

That first Saturday I went with one of the interns (Michael from Germany) to help pack. We had no idea what we would find. This small three bedroom house was loaded with things and paper, most of which we threw away in the following week. The place was dirty. There were four cats, two dogs, two parakeets and a tarantula, along with the two kids and an adult. Learning more about the family situation, it makes sense that things were not clean. Since the ex-wife was a hoarder, it made sense that there was still a tendency to hoarding. As this gentleman said, “When you don’t have much money, it’s hard to throw things away.”

So Michael and I worked with the kids sorting their things: toss, keep, donate. The kids were troopers and we worked well. In the end we had 6-7 bags for donation and at least that much in garbage. More of both would follow in the next week. On Thursday a handful of us moved all this family’s belongs, filled the township Dumpster (with permission) and organized them in their new place. It was a fluid situation that required constant adjustment, but we were able to accomplish a lot. The family slept in their new home that night.

It’s a simple thing to help someone move. I moved twice last year. Another friend moved twice last year. We are adept at the process and ruthless in our sorting. But our moving prowess is the least of our unique abilities as regards this man’s life. What makes this relationship a “God thing” is not that it will put a notch on my spiritual belt or that it will be a banner under which we can march out the cause of Christ. It’s a God thing for the sheer simplicity of neighbor helping neighbor.

This family is moving into MY neighborhood. That means that God has moved them into a place where not just the superficial needs are met, but where there is potential to address the deepest needs of the human heart. The father alone has needs that will only increase as his disability takes over. He’s a man without friends or real relationships. He is depressed and only keeps going because of his children, as he has told me on a few occasions. He is a kind, easy-going man, but he lacks leadership skills. The kids are interesting and intelligent young teens who receive little direction from either parent. They need Someone to protect them. They need to know that God loves them and is looking out for them. I see a bit of myself at that age in both these kids.

The team that is forming in our missional village has skills that can help in each of these areas. Right now I’m working with Love INC SW to get a team of carpenters to help build a ramp and deck for future wheelchair access. Others are thinking of how to connect relationally man to man. Last week when he went to the state capitol with a group to lobby for the disabled, I watched his dogs. The kids in YBS (Youth Bible Study) that I lead on Mondays may have an opportunity to give these other kids a different outlet and perspective on life.

The mission isn’t about anything fancy or dramatic. That’s not our business. Rather it is God’s mission in which he has called us to partner with him. He will transform the lives. We simply get to be a witness and a neighbor.

“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”