Day 2 was a harder day (we filled 3 skips today compared with the 2 yesterday)but still packed with loads of fun and stories as we got to know people more. The number of people who have stopped to chat has been quite amazing.

The area of land looks totally different and can be checked out in the Flickr album. Weeds and junk have gone, there are 20 odd less syringes, but there is still a lot of rubbish, and no doubt needles, to collect.

Our task tomorrow is to attempt to level a large part of the land. Tomorrow we have been loaned a digger for half a day and a very good rate which we hope will complete this task quickly or us. Leveling this quick will be a bonus and may encourage further the council with their plans for this piece of land. People have got so excited about it so it will be a real shame if they just leave it as it is to grow back again! Apparently today they met to discuss the land.

At the start of today I shared thoughts of being covered in the dust of your rabbi. Today, being covered in the muck and grime that whole idea seemed to be a lot earthier to me. To show love as a team to this community means we get to get involved. This involvement means we get dirty, hurt and rejected; although we are seeing a lot of acceptance while we are out on the streets.

Today I was tired but as I looked around I was very conscious that what we are doing is having a significant meaning for people living around the Traflagar Triangle. We met one old man who told us that he had lived on the triangle all his life. Apparently the land we are clearing used to have 4 cottages on which housed 20 children and this man was one of those children. He left the cottage to live in house across the footpath from the cottages and had been there ever since. In some small way, we were bringing back wonderful memories for this lovely man. He was living ‘good times’ again.

Today, seeing that old man look so happy made the hard work of today really worth it. I thought that was a result of love in action. I believe if he never meets God (which would be sad), or never comes to church or never speaks to any of us again – the fact that this mans life experienced a new love for just a few hours or days is surely what it means to experience the love of Jesus from the church in the community.

Tomorrow we still have a lot to do (did I mention we get a digger!!!???) The land clearance, litter picking, children’s work, pensioners activities are all important tasks – but tomorrow the real bigger job is showing the people we come into contact with that we love them.

Daily, for the last 2 and a bit years, I have followed the Northumbria Daily Office and these words from the canticle of Morning Prayer have taken on greater meaning in the last few days:

This day be within and without me
lowly and meek, yet all powerful
be in the heart of each to whom I speak
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me

Tomorrow I will be looking for Jesus in those that I meet.