I talk a lot about what a gift it is to know people in the neighborhood. People I might not otherwise know. Such richness in the variety of young and old, folks new to the area and those that have lived here for over thirty years, different cultures, families, languages, religions, experiences, and personalities. It is truly a gift. This week I was reminded of this in such a profound way. We spent time helping our friends and neighbors move into their new apartment. When I first met Efrem and Senait, they were facing huge challenges like many others in our community trying to find affordable housing. So Saturday was a wonderful celebration as they moved into a great apartment close by. It seemed absolutely perfect for them and the boys were thrilled that they could continue on at the same school.
The super fun part was that as we were sitting around sharing breakfast and chai tea, we learned that Senait Amine is a bona fide music star in Eritrea! With 1.6 Million views on YouTube. Oh my. And Efrem writes, plays and produces all the music. I knew he was a talented musician when he played at our community meal. But I had no idea how talented. In fact, they recently produced a fabulous music video. Of course, my husband David whipped out his iPhone and showed him my famous Sting video (although that is sort of cheating, cause it was a moment unlike Senait and Efrem’s established music careers). But it was fun to share music and to laugh and to realize that we have so much more in common than we ever thought. And so we find we are connected and I can sense the joy we share in that. How can we hear each other’s music? How can we be creative together? What will unfold as we share life in the neighborhood and in community?
This week as we attend the Inhabit Conference (there's only a few spots left!) and talk about the great local convergence, I feel a convergence of my own. As a songwriter I’ve been recently inspired to write songs that reflect God at work in the neighborhood. And this weekend, I will be sharing an original song about the gift of my neighbor -- accompanied by Efrem, my neighbor -- at the conference that is all about loving my neighbor. Coincidence? I think not. Surely this is the beautiful, stunning work of the Spirit, who is bringing rockstars, quasi-rockstars and dreamers together all across neighborhoods everywhere.
The super fun part was that as we were sitting around sharing breakfast and chai tea, we learned that Senait Amine is a bona fide music star in Eritrea! With 1.6 Million views on YouTube. Oh my. And Efrem writes, plays and produces all the music. I knew he was a talented musician when he played at our community meal. But I had no idea how talented. In fact, they recently produced a fabulous music video. Of course, my husband David whipped out his iPhone and showed him my famous Sting video (although that is sort of cheating, cause it was a moment unlike Senait and Efrem’s established music careers). But it was fun to share music and to laugh and to realize that we have so much more in common than we ever thought. And so we find we are connected and I can sense the joy we share in that. How can we hear each other’s music? How can we be creative together? What will unfold as we share life in the neighborhood and in community?
This week as we attend the Inhabit Conference (there's only a few spots left!) and talk about the great local convergence, I feel a convergence of my own. As a songwriter I’ve been recently inspired to write songs that reflect God at work in the neighborhood. And this weekend, I will be sharing an original song about the gift of my neighbor -- accompanied by Efrem, my neighbor -- at the conference that is all about loving my neighbor. Coincidence? I think not. Surely this is the beautiful, stunning work of the Spirit, who is bringing rockstars, quasi-rockstars and dreamers together all across neighborhoods everywhere.
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