Soup Van Experience

Last night I went on the Soup Van that is organized by St Vincent de Paul and runs in partnership with our parish. 

The neighborhoods here remind me a little of the three little pig story, in regards to how the houses are built. I would think that maybe a stick house would be stronger than brick! As it seems its just brick slapped onto a timber frame with little between that and gib inside. The style is kit set, the image is standard giving the streets a very uniformed look. 

Now and again your spot a house that one might say is an 'eye-sore'. One junk car sits in the front, there will be a pile of assorted belongings on the nature strip awaiting collection, giving a reminder that we live in a materialistic throw away society. There will be trash on the property, weeds running rampant and the curtain drawn giving impression that there is darkness beyond the fragile walls. 

The soup van goes to peoples houses, it reminded me a little of 'meals on wheels' we have back in NZ. It serves hot soup, sandwiches, there were some crackers to give, hotdogs plus if they wish milo, coffee, tea or cordial. Last night we feed 54 people including 12 children. 

As I was going around I was grateful that these people have this service to ensure especially their children will go to bed with a full tummy, and have some lunch to take to school. I do feel its a band-aid in some situations. It was clear to see how two or three generations living under the same roof, have followed a similar pattern. I embrace that the surface need of been feed is meet, thank you Lord, yet is this enough? Why are their families that are struggling generation after generation? Is anyone asking these questions to the individuals themselves, or are they like me that just follow the band-aid treatment and don't speak up.?

People move frequently and the stress on families due to busy, hectic lives building strong neighborhood connections is getting harder. A sense of real community has been lost, this is evident in the realization of how many of you - yes you - know a little about your neighbor. I don't mean knowing their nationality, names or where they work! Actually know them, know if they are unwell and a casserole would help ease the load, know that cutting that tree you both share is a symbolic reminder of a loved one. 

Reality is most of us only have a passing acquaintance with the people over the fence and sometimes only interact when we get their mail by accident... 

I could not help but feel foolish as we progressed into the night. How often I had ran pass these peoples places without even a thought to who is behind the wall. 

I recall one place I remembered thinking why have they not taken two seconds to open the rubbish bin lid to put the rubbish in opposed to letting it pile beside it. 

I am so foolish and judgmental at times!!

 What do I know I told myself!!  NOW I know that its a single mother, who has physical health problems, has a sick mother, sick three old and another two at explorative age of five and six run circles around her. Did I take into my narrow thinking the thought that maybe the fact the rubbish is next to the bin is one more step closer than it has been for a while, that sometimes this lady feels so extremely overwhelmed that she becomes helpless to manage the household. 

For one moment, one second she could breath, didn't have to be concern how her hungry children would be feed. Her mother and young boy slept sounded hoping this would solve their health issues. Leading me to want to ask if they have health assistance, do they have regular food coming into the house. Are the school fees paid, the children have enough clothes, do you have any time for yourself just to rest for a moment get your strength back. BUT no, these questions are not welcomed, the purpose is to give food, talk about the weather and invite them to take more food for their children. A band-aid in my opinion - there is beauty in this band-aid that has given hope, does give a moment ease yet why does it need to only be a moment, why!!

When I walked home at the end of the evening, walking home to be embraced by the sisters, to a warm / cool home, to food if I wish to eat, to endless knowledge, access to broaden my mind through media, through company. Jesus words rattled me a little - 'love your neighbor as I love you' 'let each of us please his neighbor for their good to build them up' 

The connecting word is neighbor - what does it mean to be a neighbor?

So often I find myself not making any noticeable difference between Christians and non-Christians in terms of interactions with each other. Don't understand nor embrace barriers that are man created by society. How do we overcome these, how can awareness be built to encourage people to look over their fence. Look at the generational difference, Im from a generation that spent their evenings outdoors, in a tree, riding, playing with brothers and sisters, with very little television if any. The generation before me would have been one of no television. This compared today, wow, its the extreme opposite. No playing outside in the street, neighborhoods are in silence as happiness doesn't sound out through the trees, balls don't crack windows from a miss fired bat, oh no, children are indoors, staring at a screen endlessly watching a reality that is so far detected from reality!! 

What is the answer to solve this - the answer to bring people out of their worlds back into one that helps each other, one that cares, notices and embraces difference. 

Answer is easy, Jesus gives it to us on a silver plater if we look. Its relationships - love - 

I recall when staying with loved ones before coming to Australia, their knew a lot about their neighbors, who was away, where their children were, if something happened a neighbor would respond instantly. Greetings flowed freely, regardless where you meet each other if in the neighborhood or not. It left a feeling of security, of knowing that notice would be taken if things were abnormal. Neighborhoods where people know each other tend to be safer; instead of saying someone house was an 'eye-sore' there would be friendly knock on the door to ensure that the person is not sick or unemployed just in need of some help rather than judgmental stares. 

Just think what building better connections on our streets could transform whole neighborhoods into healthy, fun and vibrant places to live. Not just a row of houses on a street that once inside everyone retracts into their own worlds. 

You didn't choose to be where you are. God has actually placed you where you are at this point in history and he's done it for a reason: So that others would perhaps reach out for him and find him; though he is not far away from any one of us. This is what Acts (17:26-27) teaches me, and can be directly linked to what it means to be a neighbor. 

TO THINK, if everyone gets this, if they just let it sink in, fully with heart and mind, it will change the way we all drive in and out of our neighborhoods. It will change the way you walk around our neighbor.

I could type on, however I know Jesus says it so much simpler and beautiful than my choose of words can ever put it; after all Jesus is a bit of a genius - ;o) His words which we all have heard - 'Love God with all your heart, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself - its a simple, strategic plan that would change the world if every believer did it!