By Steve

Interruptions Allowed:

One of the 5 values that I (with the help of a few friends) determined would define what a follower of Jesus would look like (the 5 values are the values of Citywalk church) is being someone who allows for interruptions. Of course interruptions occur to most people, most days...they are unavoidable. The email or phone call. The troubled friend. The hurting family member. So how do we respond? How do we respond when things come up in life that require our time or money or our money or whatever it is we can offer to help. Do we look away? Pretend we didn't notice? Think someone else will help? Assume its no big deal?Think we have nothing to offer? Rather not be bothered? Say we don't have time or can't afford the hassle? Or do we allow for it? Welcome it? Embrace it?

You may choose to disagree if you'd like, but living as Christian means we allow for and actively get involved in the unexpected. The Christian is the good Samaritan. Any other response is unchristian.

And I get to practice what I preach (and blog).
Several weeks ago while walking home from my morning prayers, I "bumped" into a woman with her two children, looking lost. I offered some directions, in fact I walked with them for about 30 minutes.

They are Eno, Lubari and Bariza. They are African refugees that have been re-located to San Diego. They are my friends. As we walked together, Eno (the mother) burst into singing and dancing when she learned I was a pastor (her two kids hid their faces embarrassed).

A couple weeks later Eno and her 8 year old, Bariza, came to Citywalk (her older son is living in a teenage home). She was relieved to finally arrive. For the past few weeks she had been asking people to take her to church, but they insisted she go to their church. On that Sunday, Bariza said they would walk and find Citywalk. They did.

We learned that day over lunch, that Eno had nothing but was being assisted by the YMCA and would probably soon have a job. That didn't work out.
Last Friday, Eno and Bariza showed up at Ali's school, asking Ali to help them. Ali re-booked them into the hotel that they had previously been staying in for free, and told her we would figure something out. That evening when Ali finished work, she walked to the hotel, bought them some dinner and learned more about them. She later made it home to tell me we had to do something. And that means we have to.

On Saturday, my brother, his wife and two young children came to San Diego to visit for a few days (the four of them would stay with Ali and me in our two bedroom condo). Saturday was also the day I contacted the African alliance in San Diego to see if they could help us.

It's now Wednesday. My brother and his family have returned to Reno, Eno and Bariza are still staying in our home. On Monday, we dropped off Eno at the African Alliance and took Bariza to Legoland (he got to be a kid for the day and he and my nephew became good buds). Everything about the Alliance was good news that day. They will help with housing, furniture and a job...in due time. I spent the day Tuesday (part of it at the Children's museum with the whole crew) trying to finalize some stuff with the Alliance. They are very encouraged by Eno's English, her motivation and her willingness to chip in (on Monday she cleaned much of our home. She also worked some for the Alliance while waiting for us to pick her up).

So it's Wednesday now (still). This lengthy interruption (although better referred to as a blessing) still hovers. I dropped off Eno and Bariza at the park so I could work some today. And can I say how much I love Bariza. My brother bought him some new shoes after the day at Legoland. He spent the day walking on the heal of his shoes because they were too small, but he never let on. He is no doubt a foretaste from God of what life will be like for Ali and me when we adopt Perez later this year. They will be friends, Bariza and Perez.

Later today I will take Eno to sign the lease for her apartment. They have asked (in addition to feeding, clothing and housing Eno and Bariza) if we were able to pay the first and last for their apartment. Not really, but we will. We hope some others will help us too. She will move in this week and by the grace of God be working next week.

What a privilege to live as Christian. Interruptions are not burdens. They are where God is. They are what all of us need to experience God. To grow spiritually. To know that our faith matters and makes a difference.

What might we most need today? To allow for an interruption. To step into it. And to go where God resides.