Wow – what a day!
I think today has exceeded expectations for everyone. I’m guessing we are probably on first day highs but today has really gone so so well.
At the start of the day we got all the ‘glam’ bits out of the way. Things like the local newspaper and radio interviewing Sarah, the Mayor officially opening ‘the event’. This was great, though, as it showed everyone present how the local council were thoroughly supporting the project.

We ten moved into our project areas and my team went to the Trafalgar Street Triangle. The photos just don’t do the enormity of the task justice. In about 90 mins we managed to fill 2 skips. In just a few hours, though, I think the pictures show a little of the impact we made.

The great thing today, though, was that we spoke to people, we surprised people and we surprised ourselves. People were struck by the generosity of the mum and her 2 daughters who brought drinks out to the team of 30 working outside her back gate. People were struck by the loneliness of an older man who reminisced on what the area of land we were working on used to look like. People were amazed that we all came from a local church and had taken a week off work to clear up the mess outside their back doors.

Today was a small start to making connections, but a definite and real start. I really hope we can continue to develop the small amount of trust that has arisen. I while ago I read Provocative Church, I guess this was the kind of thing Tomlin could have been talking about.

I was excited throughout the day by what I saw happening: people interacting, age barriers falling, co-operation and understanding developing, and love for each other growing. I did not think it could get any better until I met up with my 3 children at the end of the day.

Beth and Joe had been with Sarah who was leading the team working and playing games with children in a local park. Tom was with Jim, working in a local retirement home.
They were just so excited over their taste of ‘mission’. In fact, I do not think I have seen them so excited unless we are going on holiday or approaching Christmas. All evening they have been sharing stories and it has been fantastic.

I have often thought that we protect children too much and are content to let them have stories rather than engage with the real issues. Jewish culture is very different and children play key roles in remembrance meals and festivals. The children we had with us today saw, copied and learned a simple fact that a lot of us easily forget – being a Christian means we live differently and for others.

Ok … off to bed now and wondering what Day 2 will bring, apart from rain! If you wish to see some photos of Day 1, the observant among you will have noticed a change of pics in my flikr album on the right.