Thursday: Day 3

As I read through the NT, one of the things that impresses me the most about Paul is his "connectedness." Paul knew how to connect with unbelievers and how to stay connected with believers. He used the surrounding culture to build new bridges (ie. Acts 17:23, 28) and was intentional about maintaining old ones (ie. the final greetings in each of his letters). 

This week has been a week of connecting. Our group of six traveled to Bellevue to be the Tychicus link (Eph. 6:21) between Essential Church and Southside. But in the process we have made some significant connections with both Christians and non-Christians from around the globe. 

To that end, one of our primary jobs this week has been to help get Essential's name out into the community. We've spent hours blitzing neighborhoods and inviting the surrounding communities to join the block parties Essential Church has hosted each of the past 3 nights. 

(Want to be impressed? You should see 80-year-old Gene hiking up these hills! He stays ahead of the rest of us.)

("Where's Gene? Has anybody seen Gene? Oh, he's up there...at that house...in that house.")

Now I will admit, I'm not a fan of door-to-door evangelism. Statistically, our southern culture is no longer open to such proselytizing. But to my surprise, I've found it easier than expected to invite people to a party. I mean, who doesn't like free food and games for their kids?

(That me in Schuyler's oversized sweatshirt freezing in July.)

Today's neighborhood, however, offered some unique challenges...starting with this bumper sticker that welcomed us as we parked. 

Hmm. I began to wondered which house I needed to avoid...I mean, pray for, of course!

So I knew we would face some challenges, but I wasn't expecting the hurdle at the first door. Maybe being told that morning that there are 83 languages spoken in Bellevue should have been a warning. Maybe the Chinese writing on the door should have given it away. But I am slow.

A sweet Asian face answered our knock. "Hi, we are with Essential Church and wanted to invite you to a party tonight. " "Oh, I speak no English."  Wait, what? Oh, crud. No English? Well this is awkward. Lyda & I just looked at each other. Sign language maybe? No, she thought we wanted money. We flapped around for a few minutes and I think she finally got something about kids & food, but we walked away feeling slightly defeated. 

Until...

I made an offhanded comment about needing a translator app. 

Wait a minute! Why not??

I whipped out my phone and three minutes later was back at her door. 

She read. She listened. Then she smiled and nodded and said, "Oh, okay. Thank you, thank you." And I felt I had crossed an ocean. 

Once more I was able to share a translator app invitation in the neighborhood. It truly was an incredible feeling to break through a communication barrier, to make a connection with people to whom I otherwise would not have been able. 

After lunch, we took a much needed "hiking" break that included a quicktour of  downtown Bellevue. 

Then we headed to the South Bellevue Community Center to help set up for the evening's event. 

So guess who came to the block party tonight?

Not only did my first Chinese friend come, but she brought others - eight others, in fact. And they stayed the entire night. 

I was able to sit down for one more translator app conversation with them and let them know about a Chinese church in the area. Their gratitude and willingness to "talk" was such a blessing to me. 

Meanwhile, other connections were being made. An African American couple was so appreciative of the free meal and so interested in visiting the church on Sunday that they asked for an Essential t-shirt to wear so they could share. 

Then there was the Anglo tennis player who pulled one of the summer interns aside and began drilling her about the church's stance on homosexuality and race. It was a great opportunity for her to say, "Let me introduce you to the church's pastor."  Warren spent an extended period of time sharing with the woman before challenging her to visit Essential Church to decide for herself whether her perception of biblical Christianity was reality. 

And finally, there was the Asian woman who returned for her 2nd block party for the week and spent nearly the entire two hours talking with the mother of Essential's Children's Minister. She was searching for parenting advice and encouragement and found it among our fellow workers. 

Ministry was happening everywhere. 

Our team continued to serve where we were needed. Schuyler cooked his 500th hotdog, improvising with two plastic spoons until someone could replace the missing tongs. 

The ladies dished out the dogs, chips and cookies under Elizabeth's management. 

And Gene danced to NeedtoBreathe and circulated among the interns, offering them encouragement through his stories. 

Block Party #3 was a success!

I hope you will begin to pray now for Essential's Sunday's service. Pray that those who have expressed an interest in visiting will come. Pray that tennis lady will accept Warren's challenge. Pray that our Chinese friends will become connected with one of the 20 Chinese Baptist church plants in the area. And pray for our team tomorrow as we continue to reach out to the Bellevue community and make follow-up contacts. 

Partnering with you in missions,

Christie