Gracenotes

Love Fredericton!! What is it?  The idea is to take a day in which God’s people from all the local churches show Christ’s love to their city.  I have been the recipient of free hot dogs and hamburgers and have assisted with car washes and such in previous years.  I have often wondered how loving it is to hand out free bottles of water, or perform a “rake and run”.  Do people appreciated such acts of kindness?  There is so little invested in people.  I believe forming relationships and coming along side those who need assistance says more as to who we are.  This year our church, Nashwaaksis Baptist Church, was involved in a project which I felt was very special and hopefully left a lasting impression.

We were able to assist residents within a low-income housing project to repair and paint fences as well as construct some new fences as the old ones had to come down as they were in a state of disrepair.  Many of us arrived that morning with little to offer in terms of carpentry skills, nor painting skills for that matter.  Yes the fences underwent minor repairs… Yes they were painted… Yes one building received new fencing by days end… Was that the point of the project, some would say yes but I would tend to disagree.

I had the opportunity to meet some really nice people.  Sitting and talking with one woman I was able to gain insight concerning the challenges of raising kids in the neighbourhood.  Teaching your kids right from wrong is one thing, but when they are subjected to daily pressures concerning sex and drugs it can certainly be trying.  Many of the young people lack hope for a better future, and as some would argue society has labelled them in a negative manner and they have assumed that ‘identity’.  A single mother of a 13 year old is a difficult situation at the best of times.  Pray for this family..

Hard working.. in speaking with one gentleman he told me his story.  His day starts early as he bikes for an hour to the rural outskirts of the city where he puts in a full day with a moving company.  After a long hard day he bikes home, an hour or more on the return trip.  I asked how he spent his evenings, most nights asleep on the couch.  For some work is hard to come by.. and the means to get to work difficult.. the work is hard physical labor.. and still they consider themselves fortunate.   Pray for this man and his family..

Another woman, a single mother with a daughter the same age as one of my own.  It has been a long road, but she has managed to advance in her employment to the point where she was able to purchase a car and get her drivers license.  Both feats some of us take for granted.  She works hard, and her daughter has learned to do the same.  Her daughter used to attend youth group at our church but hadn’t gone for some time.  It was nice to touch base, share stories and laugh about life.. it’s a hard road for everyone but much rockier for others.  Pray for this woman and her family..

Within these apartment complexes we had the opportunity to meet all the neighbourhood kids.  Actually.. I think every one of them joined in and ‘helped’ with the painting.  I’m not sure what was painted more the fences or the kids, but they were sure having a good time.  Other adults enjoyed the sunny day in their backyards, playing guitar, etc..  I believe some were skeptical of why we were there, but they were appreciative and receptive.

It was nice to come along side of these residents and assist with their project.  They took care of all the organizing, fundraising, etc.. we just showed up and took direction from those leading.  We had no special abilities other than making ourselves available.

What keeps us from loving and serving our community?  It’s easy to sit on the sidelines and make excuses.  But we have no special skills… Who needs skills, we didn’t.  But I don’t believe God wants me to do that… Yeah right, he doesn’t want you to serve and love others.  But I don’t have time… Personally I sit and watch TV at least a couple of hours a night, do you? Absolutely. But it might cost me something… Absolutely.  But it isn’t all about me… Absolutely.  A word of caution, if you ask for opportunities, God will provide them so be attentive and be prepared to act.

I look forward to the next phase of the project, and a continued relationship with those in our community.  Fences may have been built that day but I can say barriers were also torn down.