Honored to Assist the Gardener

In our day-to-day outreach, we walk down the entire block, knocking door-to-door and asking if they would like us to check their blood pressure and sugar. Typically, we average about 15-20 unanswered doors and no, thank you’s until we are invited into someone’s house. You would think that after so many rejections, we would be discouraged to continue knocking on people’s doors day in and day out. Somehow, that has not been the case. Why? Because when we do get a chance to interact with the neighbors, God’s presence is palpable. Throughout our conversations, it becomes evident that God strategically placed both parties at the exact location and time.

So far, the most fruitful conversations happened when we simply listened to people’s stories. In this neighborhood, the most traumatic events– rape, stabbing, and death from drug over dose, shooting, or vehicle accident– are considered part of normal daily life. And because such events happen so often, people are taught to “get over it and move on” without properly grieving. We’ve met people who start talking about their scar from a stabbing incident or their brother that died 20 years ago in a nonchalant, matter-of-fact manner. Then, as we ask about how that experience has been for them and their family, they begin to cry and mourn. In those moments we have nothing to offer except our presence and listening ears, but thankfully, that’s been more than enough. When we listen to their stories with genuine care and concern, they feel heard and cared for. Instead of bottling it up, they are able to process what had happened, weep and grieve over the event, and sense a little bit of peace in their hearts.

Once they feel heard and cared for, it is then, and only then, that their hearts are open to whatever we have to say. Most people are willing to pray with us. Some people are motivated to start attending church again for the first time in years. Others are willing to start considering the thought of attending church. No matter their response, it is clear that God is at work in their lives. If Kensington is a garden and God is the gardener, we are the gardener’s helpers and the people are the plants. We are preparing the soil in some people and sowing seeds in others. There are fragile buds ready to sprout, and we are placing them into growth chambers– under the direct care of local church members. We are watering plants that are parched– those that need a little nudge to start attending church again. And we are encouraged by the strong, mature plants deeply rooted in Christ, standing firm even in the storm. Every person we encounter is at a different stage, but God is actively working in their lives and I am honored to assist the Gardener.