100 Ways To Engage Your Neighborhood and become friends with your neighbors

A great way to use  your Spiritual Gifts and Strengths to engage your neighbors and neighborhood for God's glory!

Using your S.H.A.P.E.   Spiritual Gifts, Heart or Passion, Abilities, Personality and prior Experiences in a  new way. 

This is something anyone can do in their own neighborhood! Best doing it with a partner..that has other abilities, gifts, talents or strengths than you do. Remember, there is no "I" in team!

 I have found that it is often helpful to have practical ideas to start engaging the people around me. Most of the things on this list are normal, everyday things that many people are already doing. The hope is that we would do these things with Gospel intentionality. This means we do them:

• In the normal rhythms of life pursuing to meet and engage new people
• Prayerfully watching and listening to discern where God is working
• Boldly, humbly, and contextually proclaiming the Gospel in word and deed

Not all of these are for everyone, but hopefully there will be several ideas on the list that God uses to help you engage your neighbors. Would love to hear stories of how you have lived some of these out or other ways you have engaged your neighbors.

An important lesson I learned some 45 or so years ago was "To not start any new project, initiative or work without first invoking the blessing of Deity".  

So maybe before starting to put into practice any of the 100 projects listed below is to pray about the needs of your neighbors and neighborhood! That you can do right in your home at any time. But not an excuse for not venturing out and actually walking around your neighborhood and meeting and talking to your neighbors! And praying for them as your walk around Your neighborhood! 

 

If you need some ideas on how to do a PRAYER WALK! 

You could even do a prayer walk around your neighborhood! More on that later!

Neighbors – Your Immediate Neighborhood

1. Stay outside in the front yard longer while watering the yard
2. Walk your dog regularly around the same time in your neighborhood
3. Sit on the front porch and letting kids play in the front yard
4. Pass out baked goods (fresh bread, cookies, brownies, etc.)
5. Invite neighbors over for dinner
6. Attend and participate in HOA functions
7. Attend the parties invited to by neighbors
8. Do a food drive or coat drive in winter and get neighbors involved
9. Host a music share party in your home (everyone brings 5 favorite songs and discusses)
10. Offer to mow someone’s yard who needs it on your street
11. Have a garage sale
12. Organize a tasting tour on your street (everyone sets up food and table on front porch)
13. Cook Out with gate open, or even in the front yard and let neighbors know they are welcome to join.
14. Have a game night (yard games outside, or board games inside)
15. Art swap night – bring out what you’re tired of and trade with neighbors
16. Grow a garden and give out extra produce to neighbors
17. Have an Easter egg hunt on your block and invite neighbors use their front yards
18. Start a weekly open meal night in your home
19. Do a summer BBQ every Friday night and invite others to contribute
20. Create a block/ street email and phone contact list for safety
21. Invite your neighbors to serve along with you for a local cause in your community
22. Organize a backyard movie night for kids on your block
23. Prayer walk and talk to people you come across
24. Jog outside instead of on the treadmill
25. Pull their trash back in when you notice its out
26. Cook an extra casserole and give it to a neighbor
27. Buy an extra dozen donuts and give them to a neighbor
28. Start a compost pile and allow neighbors to dump their compost and take
29. Host a sports game watching party
30. Host a coffee and dessert night
31. Organize and host a ladies craft night
32. Organize an effort for neighbors to help take care of elderly in neighborhood
33. Become a regular at your neighborhood pool/park
34. If you have a skill, let neighbors know that you can use it to help them for free
35. Host a movie night and discussion afterwards
36. Start a walking/running group in the neighborhood
37. Start hosting a play date weekly for other stay at home parents
38. Organize a carpool for your neighborhood to help save gas
39. Collect good will store items and offer to take them to goodwill
40. Have a front yard ice cream party in the summer
41. Start a sowing group
42. Go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood (invite neighbors in on it)
43. Throw a July 4th block party
44. Start a neighborhood Facebook/Twitter/Google + group
45. Ask longtime residents to help you learn about the neighborhood
46. Offer to babysit neighbors kids so they can have a date night
47. Find out your neighbors birthdays and take them a card and baked goods on it
48. Setup a meet your neighbors night with drinks in your driveway/front yard
49. Ask your HOA or apartment complex if they need help with anything
50. Host a regular Saturday morning breakfast potluck

Extended Neighborhood – The Regular Spots In Your City

1. Frequent a local gym or recreation center
2. Find a park that you consistently spend time with your community at
3. Pick a few restaurants to frequent getting to know the staff and regulars there
4. Go to the same coffee shop when you can
5. Start a regular ultimate Frisbee game in your city
6. Take the kids to story time at your local library
7. Let your kids play in the city sports leagues
8. Attend your city council meetings and get to know what’s going on in your city
9. Attend your local school board meetings to know what is going on in the schools
10. Participate in the local festivals, parades and celebrations of your city
11. Invite a neighbor to a local sporting event
12. Start a guys night at your local pub/eatery
13. Get involved in your kids school PTA
14. Connect with other home school kids through local coop events
15. Be a part of your local genealogical society
16. Tip generously at your regular restaurant spots
17. Participate in local film viewings and discussions
18. Attend your local High Schools sporting events
19. Coach a local little league sports team
20. Offer to teach free computer training sessions at your local library/public venue
21. Start a Study Group at a local place that needs business
22. Be a regular with your kids at the same playscape/restaurant during the day
23. Ask your local college how you can help serve international students
24. Get involved with your local lions or rotary club to learn about the community.
25. Find a local tweet-up group to meet with regularly
26. Frequent a live music night at your local coffee shop or bar
27. Make a routine of taking the family to a evening recreation spot (pool, jump zone, etc.)
28. Find a local philosophy/theology discussion group and become a regular participant
29. Find a baking meet up group and be a part of their activities
30. Go to the same hair stylist/barber and get to know them
31. Find your local bank representative and get to know them
32. Be a regular at your local farmers market
33. Take a regular stroll at your local park
34. Take your dog to the dog park in your city
35. Start a local art collective blog and organize around different themes
36. Have gospel discussions in public places where others can listen in
37. Check your areas craig’s list for community service needs
38. Ask a local restaurant owner how you could bless their employees
39. Frequent the same gas station and make an effort to get to know the workers there
40. Watch sporting events at the same local sports bar/restaurant in your city
41. When you can, support local businesses and get to know the people in that business.
42. Visit your cities visitors center to learn about the it’s history
43. Start a storytelling group at your local coffee shop
44. Organize a kids fun day at your city park
45. Offer free computer/technology help for elderly citizens in your area
46. Start a bike repair co-op
47. Cook out at your local park and invite the people there to eat with you
48. Start a sowing class at your local community center
49. Organize a co-working time at your local coffee shop for people who work at home

    50. Join a city softball, soccer, football, basketball league.

Finding your place to put your gifts & strengths to work, making a difference for eternity

 
As we know there are countless opportunities to volunteer.
Pretty much we can pick and choose where we want to volunteer.
It can be confusing.

 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

For people of faith, the first thing we should do is pray!
What has the Lord already called you to do?

  "However, I consider my life worth  nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20: 24

So where can I make the most difference?

Isn't that what we all want to do?

How do we evaluate and decide where we can use our passion and talent in the most effective manner?

A good place to start is right in your own neighborhood, one person at a time, when you choose... 

We might want to review and consider where we are already donating our financial resources!


According to Peter F. Drucker in his The Drucker Foundation Self-Assessment Tool   for Non Profit organizations...he talks about what making a difference means to a potential volunteer...and I quote "What nonprofits do for their volunteers may well be as important as what they do for their primary customers. The reason is that volunteers search for opportunities to make a meaningful contribution. They feel the need to do something where "I can make a difference." But again, you must discover what "making a difference means to each volunteer and how they must be satisfied in order for them to give their commitment."

Before we do anything or make any decision, we need to ask the questions Why?
Why am I or why do I want to do this?  A short blog post on this subject!

The best way for non profits to convey their Vision and Mission is on their website!

The most important consideration for us as volunteers or potential volunteers is "What is my passion?"

Then I can begin to search for the best organization that has a Vision and Mission that aligns with mine!

Check their website.  Is their Vision and Mission statement clearly visible?

Are current volunteer opportunities clearly visible?
What type of background, training and commitment are they asking for?
 
"The place where God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." -Frederick Buechner

"Passion, though a bad regulator, is a powerful spring." Ralph Waldo Emerson 


What do you believe God is calling you to?

"A God-ordained vision will begin as a concern." Andy Stanley  

And then:  What Type of People Do I like to Work With?


Then I can begin to search for the best organization that has a Vision and Mission that aligns with mine!

Check their website.  Are current volunteer opportunities clearly visible?
What type of background, training and commitment are they asking for?

Another ingredient in finding your best volunteer opportunity is to know your Strengths!

It has been said that only 2 out of 10 people use their strengths on the job.
So that is and may be a reason or motivation for one to search for a volunteer opportunity.
So we can "Make a Difference in the world"
God has use our impure motives!
A good video about "Strengths" Strengths

More on Vision and Mission

 

How nonprofits can appeal to volunteers to join them in their vision and mission!

 

How to Evaluate a charity if you are considering giving financial assistance or even VOLUNTEERING with them!

 

  "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

 

"However, I consider my life worth  nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20: 24

 

Finding peace with God.

 

 My latest TWEETS!

 A few good books worth reading to help with confirming where the Lord may want you to serve!

Help wth findng a specific organization where you can make a real difference!

A good book on how to make good decisions.

Mission and Vision: For non profits. The heart of the matter

Mission and or Vision? 
What comes first?
What is most important?

Read this post first: Then come back to my post! 

What's the difference between Vision and mission?

From Ministry Ventures website:  A complete discussion on this topic

Vision: The preferred future your organization wishes to bring about.
A good vision statement paints the picture of a preferred future. It helps people visualize the outcome. It lets everyone know there’s a problem that needs to be fixed and casts the vision for a time when the problem is solved.



Mission: The strategic focus your organization will employ in order to bring about it's preferred future. Your mission is what you do. 
A strong mission statement clearly describes the unique way your ministry is going to fix the problem. It says what you do and who you serve.
Your mission is what you do and your vision is what it looks like when it's accomplished.  

Great information for a  non profit!

  When you are checking out a non profit to invest in or volunteer with...does their Vision and Mission statement show on their home page?  If not, why not?

Are they clear on their vision and mission...or have they maybe unknowingly "drifted" from their mission?  

The best book I have read on the subject of Visions: Visioneering: God's Blueprint For Developing And Maintaining Vision.  

"What is a vision?

Where do they come from?

Visions are born in the soul of a man or woman who is consumed

with the tension between what is and what could be. Anyone who is emo-

tionally involved—frustrated, brokenhearted, maybe even angry—about

the way things are in light of the way they believe things could be, is a

candidate for a vision. Visions form in the hearts of those who are dissat-

isfied with the status quo."   P.17 of PDF   A PDF of 1st Chapter of the book

If we are NOT clear on our Vision and Mission Mission Drift occurs!

 Mission Drift

 How does this apply to individuals?

Are we clear on our individual mission?  Do we have a vision for our life?

If not, how do we know where we can be most effective in our financial giving and volunteering? 

If you are already clear on your Vision and Mission in life...go to my post on where to invest  your life:    How to Make Wise Choices in Your Financial Giving & Volunteering

 So if we are not currently clear on on Vision and Mission for life...how do we find it or develop it?

 We might start with looking at our Worldview. Everyone has one.

More on this: More on this;

Where does our worldview come from: 

"Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philipians 4:8 NLT 

What you think about is influenced by "The events you attend, the relationships you build, the materials you read or don't read, the music you listen to, the media images you're exposed to, the conversations you engage in, and the thoughts you entertain all shape your mind, and eventually your character and your destiny."

From The Word For You Today. By Bob and Debby Gass.  August 12, devotion. 

Also, we can look at our prior experiences, spiritual gifts, strengths, and abilities.
Don't forget your past volunteer experiences! Why did you volunteer where you did?

These all provide clues to help us in developing our vision and discovering where the Lord might want to use us in His plan for the world!

Again, so how do we develop our vision and mission for life?

Is it important?  

 As a believer in Jesus Christ and desiring to be a good steward and a faithful "follower" of Jesus on our way to glory...we can be a light for others to see the Truth.

At the end of our lives, I would like to say or have said, "I  have fought the good fight, I  have finished the course, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim. 4:7) 

 
"In his insightful and challenging book, The Call, Os Guinness defines our purpose as "the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion, dynamism, and direction lived out as a response to his summons and service" This perspective give meaning to every moment, and it challenges us to live with integrity in every choice and relationship because we represent God at all times."

" So, does this perspective inspire you to use every part of your day more effectively as God's servant, or does it threaten you because you realize some things in your life aren't what they should be? It should do both."

Taken from Daily Insights with Zig Ziglar and Dr Ike Reighard   January 29th

 Your Calling, Purpose and Worldview

  A summary:  

Vision: The preferred future your organization wishes to bring about.
A good vision statement paints the picture of a preferred future. It helps people visualize the outcome. It lets everyone know there’s a problem that needs to be fixed and casts the vision for a time when the problem is solved.


Mission: The strategic focus your organization will employ in order to bring about it's preferred future. Your mission is what you do. 
A strong mission statement clearly describes the unique way your ministry is going to fix the problem. It says what you do and who you serve.
Your mission is what you do and your vision is what it looks like when it's accomplished.  

 So what should you do? Start each day by praying. 

Asking the Lord to give you wisdom, clarity and discernment in how to use your life to bring glory to Him. 

As Jesus said in Mark 12:30-31, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."

 ●"The Lord created each of us individually with different Spiritual Gifts, Passions, Abilities, strengths and a unique personality with different experiences.  Helping each other put the pieces of the seeming puzzle together so we each can be most effective in our families, church, community and the world and finish our lives well and leave a legacy that gives glory to the LORD so when we stand before Him one day, we will hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

More on this: Bloom Where You Are Planted Now!

So what's your Passion?

 

That may be the best clue to your vision and then mission in life!

 

  What is "Passion"?

 

  "Actually, passion is morally neutral. It is simply a strong feeling or deep longing for something." 

  "Passion is the God-given ability to feel so deeply about something that it causes us to move toward the object of desire. This passion stems from an urge given by God-a burden, an emotional response to a need or opportunity He wants us to move toward. It is not a feeling that we experience and then lose easily. It's persistent and powerful. We can't ignore it."   Discover Your Destiny by Bill & Kathy Peel  P. 77

 

 How our giving is an indication of our passion.

 

Have you found your Passion?

Have you found a good non profit where you can volunteer at...in your city?

Are they true to their mission?   Find out if they are and how you can help them stay "On Mission"

 

If you are already volunteering with a non profit...do you feel apart of their "TEAM"?

 

Do you know why you are here? Why God placed you where you are right now?

 
 

Clue to your passion! Type of people you link to work with!

 

Have you found peace in your journey?

 

A great book on Visioneering by Andy Stanley

_____________________________________________

  More on Calling!

Your Calling, Purpose and Worldview

"There are things only you can do, and you are alive to do them. In the great orchestra we call life, you have an instrument and a song , and you owe it go God to play them both sublimely."  Max Lucado

"In his insightful and challenging book, The Call, Os Guinness defines our purpose as "the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion, dynamism, and direction lived out as a response to his summons and service" This perspective give meaning to every moment, and it challenges us to live with integrity in every choice and relationship because we represent God at all times."

" So, does this perspective inspire you to use every part of your day more effectively as God's servant, or does it threaten you because you realize some things in your life aren't what they should be? It should do both."

Taken from Daily Insights with Zig Ziglar and Dr Ike Reighard   January 29th

 More on CALLING!

  

 

Come back soon. For an update!

Mission trip to Oaxaca Mexico: Foundation For His Ministry (March 2005)

Preparing for another trip this year.  November, 2017

Our group from Divine Shepherd November 2017

__________________________________________________________________________

 Original post & pictures: Original post of prior trip.
2005 pictures



 Aerial view from nearby mountain.





We first heard about (FFHM) Foundation For His Ministry in the early 80's while members of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. 

In the early 90's we ventured down to the Baja, Mexico mission for our first trip with 2 of our 3 teen's and several families from our church. Flying to San Diego, staying overnight in a motel, renting a van and starting out early in the morning for the 6 hour trip to the mission before it got dark!

 

At a later trip we met Frank Tichnor at the mission and while there he left for Oaxaca to scout out the area for a new mission base. 

 

  After reading about FFHM and the ministry in Oaxaca, we felt led to go there. One Sunday at church (Eastbrook) we asked Ron and Dolores Blust and Carol Beimborn if they wanted to go with us. The rest is history!

 

  Now we can fly to Oaxaca City 

 

   SHORT TERM MISSION TO OAXACA, MEXICO

 

  March 2005 

 

On March 9th, 2005, five Eastbrookers – Richard and Naomi Dassow, Carol Beimborn, and Ron and Dolores Blust – left for a nine-day mission to Oaxaca, Mexico.  We had an opportunity to serve at a new home for children, Hogar Para Los Ninos, founded by the Foundation for His Ministry which has been established in the Baja Peninsula of Mexico for approximately thirty years.

 The Dassows and other members of Eastbrook Church have served this ministry in the Baja.  Dr. Patrick Murphy and his wife Anna (Gini and Fred Schneider’s daughter) spent more than a year there early in their marriage, providing for the medical needs of the Mission.

 Because the Oaxacan graduates of the Bible School at the Baja Mission wanted to return to Oaxaca to minister to their own people, a branch was started in Oaxaca about 8 years ago, with a mission serving 40 children.  Now a new location has been secured and construction has begun on a facility that will accommodate 100 children.  Ian Croft, Construction Manager for the facility, along with his wife, Elaine, hosted us while we were there.  Ian schedules and works with the teams of volunteer workers in their assignments.   The plan is to move the children into the new facility by mid-July.  They also have future plans to build a church, conference center, school and medical clinic on the grounds.  

 Our team worked together with a team of five from Montana and two couples who are SOWERS, Servants on Wheels Ever Ready.  They traveled to Mexico in their RV’s and are planning to stay for 3-4 months as needed.  Others serving there are giving a year or more of their time to benefit the Mission, in answer to God’s call on their lives.  In addition, there are talented Mexicans working in the kitchen providing meals, as well as skilled Mexicans laying tile in beautifully artistic designs throughout the facility.  So it was truly a time for many different people to come together.  We were able to practice our Spanish as the native Mexicans practiced their English on us.  We visited other churches while we were there and celebrated community with our fellow Indian (primarily Zapotec) believers.  They joyfully shared their love of Jesus with us. 

 We took part in a wide range of assignments including painting, carpentry jobs, sewing, cleaning, kitchen kp, and caring for the grounds.  It was our delight to do whatever was asked of us, knowing that we were serving Jesus.  In the process, we established relationships with selfless Christians who were being used of God.  People from all over the U.S. and Canada form work groups to go down to Mexico at their own expense in order to help.  One of the things our men helped with was placing forms for concrete work in preparation for a team of 13 coming from Chicago the week after we left.  Their particular skill was pouring concrete so we prepared the way for them to exercise their gift.

 Mexico is a marvelous country, the weather was beautiful – 80 to 85 degrees in the daytime, 55 degrees at night.  The Mission is in a lovely valley nestled in the mountains of southern Mexico.  An out-of-season shower brought us a beautiful rainbow – another reminder of God’s promise.  The bougainvillea and geraniums were blooming and even though we returned to blizzards in Wisconsin, we had a wonderful taste of Spring and of eternity – faithful people saying “Here I am” to Jesus Christ.

Dolores Blust 


Thanks Dolores for this great summary of our trip!

 Oaxaca (wa-ha-ka), in southeast Mexico, is a rugged, mountainous land of diversity. One of the great treasures of this beautiful state is its people,
many of whom have never heard the name of Jesus. To these we have been called, “…so that they may turn from darkness to light from the dominion of Satan to God…so they may receive forgiveness of sin and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ. ” Acts 26:18

BOOMERS in action!  Blooming where we were planted or transplanted!

Naomi,Carol, Ron and Dolores.
I took the picture. 

Vision of FFHM (Foundation For His Ministry)  

 
Link to info on mission base.

Locations of the various mission bases

 

 A link to 2 videos of what God is doing in Mexico through Foundation For His Ministry!