I was privileged to have a friend from the past appear and shadow what I do with New City – Barrio Nuevo for a week. I had reconnected with Tim and Kristy Holliday a few years ago at a Mercy Conference in Tennessee. I knew that they had been going down to the border in the summer for a few years to serve. I also knew that they were seriously considering making a major transition in life and become missionaries with BEAMM on the border in Texas.
I encouraged another friend, Tim’s new boss/leader to let him come out and spend a week with me. I knew that I had a painting blitz and a busy week in November so I invited Tim to come and stay with us for this week. I am not really sure what he expected but it turned out to be a fairly normal week for the Bennett’s. We purposely included him in everything that happened that week including a birthday party for my dad and our usual Tuesday mentoring group and dinner, tutoring on Wednesday, visiting a men’s Bible Study Lunch that I started like 14 years ago and many other spontaneous teen events.
What struck me was how great it was this last week to have a partner, who understood what I was doing and shared similar passions for doing mercy work. We had much time during the week with driving all over the place to talk about the dynamic of doing work and living in a multi-cultural context. We had many discussions about the tension of believers who are more theologically driven then mercy driven. The whole issue of race and how most churches are somewhat segregated is a fact of life but influences doing work on the border.
I know with the many things we did that it struck him how many people I know and how they are all involved in a variety of ways. It was obviously cool to see 70 people show up for a painting blitz and actually paint two houses in about 2.5 hours. I have to admit that these were the best groups that have painted. They finished both houses and they looked incredible. The families were surprised and overwhelmed by this show of love in a tangible fashion. I also know that having a couple of Jr. High groups come out and help prep also showed my ‘shadow’ the real importance of building partnerships across the board, even with Jr. High Schools.
I was able to take him for some great tacos a couple of times at the Ranch Market with the Jr. High groups. We were also able to go out and get some of the best burgers in Phoenix at Delux Burgers. Ah I also have to admit that Tim is a coffee addict so we enjoyed going to Starbucks each morning and then talking about the day’s activities. I was even able to engage his geek side as we played with some of our used mac laptops for our tutoring program. He was even able to attend a community event sponsored by one of the local charter schools where a few of our teens attend. This was a rather loud event with many of our teens participating in dance, choir and other events on stage.
I also had him attend Pastor Pablo’s church, which was a big hit with the church. He was able to engage the small church with his Spanish speaking ability. I was also able to make him feel at home in our evening service as he read the Scripture in Spanish along with our college interns. It was a busy week so I know that he was looking forward to being home tonight with his awesome family. I continue to see the blessing and advantage of partnering with those that are like-minded to learn more about how to impact marginalized neighborhoods with God’s amazing grace and mercy.
I have to admit that having Tim be my shadow for a week was rather cool. He did an awesome job of helping with painting, tutoring and just hanging out with teens, adults and meeting some of my grandmas and grandpas in my neighborhood.
Thanks Tim!!
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