Brian Becker left us yesterday to go the the Congo to work in micro-economics there with a Christian organization. Unable to take his olive oil with him because of weight limitations, he handed it on to Ryan Krebs, whom we are all sure will use it well. Leigh Nottingham returned from her galavanting around the world to help Brian pack and finish up in his whirlwind transition. Brian's words from the pulpit were profound and moving. To think that he had once interned with the congregation all those years ago.

I was assigned to talk to the children, so I slipped out of the church to go downstairs. I found Miciah teaching Jordan, newly engaged to Michelle who was there, who to read picture books to children. Church nurseries are wonderful places for youngsters to teach adults what really is important in life.

Scott Borger introduced us to the Church of the Nazarene's Alabaster Offering that goes 100% for church buildings and properties throughout the world. After Brian's sermon, we prayed for Chelle and dismissed her from the congregation with Pastor Kathy after the ministry of the Word for conversation in her preparations for baptism. Pastor Deron then consecrated the elements. Upon reflection I have discovered how much my week depends upon the reception of Christ's body and blood, and those few moments of prayer at the altar rails. The sacrament reorders my life in a way that I desparately need. We were able to send Brian and Kim, who had years ago been a member of the Cambodian congregations youth group who has come back to Jesus Christ. She has been a wonderful gift, and returns to south of Boston for some schooling. Then I was able to announce for those who lived in a certain area of the city around the church that they could vote today for Cassie Lewis-Beevers and Stephanie Harris for the City Heights planning committee -- an important committee for the use of the land in the area.

Immediately after the service Michelle Gates introduced me to a couple and two children who had come into the service late. The adults only spoke Spanish, which pretty well eliminated me. Soon Erin Kane was deeply engaged in conversation, and Pastor Shawn right by. The man had lost his job, and then, housing. He had gotten a new job, but his brother had said that they had to move out of the house. We were able to put them up for a couple of days in a hotel, connect them to other resources. A group is meeting with them tonight at 6:00 at the church to see how it is going and what is good as we travel with them. They were an extremely noble couple.

That was all after the service. Carlos Manriquez, who had showed up Tuesday after five or six years, spent Saturday night with Daniel Hartzeim, Josh van Bruggen, and Nate in the "mountain cabin in Pt. Loma." They cared well for Carlos, who, quite honestly, has struggled and is extremely sad. Concerned about losing his car, he had gone over the border Friday to Tiajuana to sell his clothes. Carlos was convinced by a person to try to smuggle him over the border in the trunk of his car. He got caught, the car impounded, and has been issued a $5000 fine. Last night he spent in a hotel through an anonymous gift from within the congregation. Pastors Deron, Kathy, and I met with Carlos this morning to work on a plan to get him feeling "not so sad" so that his gifts might be fully realized among us. In the time he was gone, we discovered that he was named the employee of the year at a "Smart and Final" grocery store!

Then there was Ellis who needs a new cell phone as he has moved to a halfway house; Jane needed a bus pass -- given to her this morning by Deron -- so that she can get to the appointments that she needs; Billy showed up -- first time in a long time and was only happily drunk rather than completely inebriated when he can get a bit obnoxious. Bill H. supposedly had an appointment to check on his legs in the afternoon (he was sleeping this morning in his car so I didn't get the update), and admits that he has a serious health problem. One of the moving parts of the morning was a Muslim man who came by. He was born in Bethlehem like our Lord -- "about 2 miles from where Jesus was born", he said. He was surprised to find a congregation that was concerned about the Palestinians and knew of their plight. He needed bus fare to go to a Christian alcoholic rehabilitation center, and we gave him some bread to take with him for breakfast. Pastor Jeff also was able to bring a few friends from downtown that we have met over the years to worship with us.

A wonderful nap met me during the afternoon, followed by our pastoral team meeting. The evening ended by going over Eric Lee's and Tiana's engagement site after they had registered several places over the weekend in anticipation of their wedding (73 days to go!).

This evening we're going to try to open the building for rain and cold -- and Carlos. Tomorrow we have the Bread of Life downtown. Deron will take Carlos to the doctor at the clinic in our building (pray for them). We'll see how our new family friends do after the conversations today.

I discover again and again that the kingdom of God is not something that we build with our instrumental reason -- we can only receive it gladly as God brings it our way by the Spirit in Jesus Christ. Such was a day -- very mundane, very tiring, very exciting, very unusual, very usual at Mid-City. All we can do is give thanks to God.