Block Party

Although we've been involved in this area for a couple years, we just recently moved to into the neighborhood 2 months ago.  Our two oldest kids go to the public school a couple blocks away.  We have gotten to know many of the children because they come to our house after school to play with our kids.  But getting to know the parents and other family members has been much harder.

Having a block party is a great way to get people out of their houses in a relaxed and comfortable way.

We paired up with our next door neighbor (who also goes to our church and share the same vision of living out the gospel in our community) to work as a team.  They took on most of the load and started us off by going door to door telling everyone about the block party and acquiring signatures needed to close off our street.

Setting up signs to limit traffic was essential!  It allowed the kids to play on the street and for the party to not just be on our front lawns but in the middle creating a unified presence.
During the 4 hour event about 30-40 kids and adults came.  It was awesome to see people from different ethnicity mingled together.  Neighbors who have lived on the same block for years finally got the chance to meet.   The barrier between awkwardly waving when driving by to actually meeting face to face and talking was broken.  This event brought out the parents, uncles, aunts, grandmas, grandpas...you name it!

Our goal was not to put on a party for people to come to but to initiate a gathering where everyone was a part and contributed in some way.  We provided the burgers, utensils, and some drinks while everyone else in the neighborhood contributed side dishes and drinks.  Tables were set out in the street and people brought lawn chairs.

We set up speakers to project music and set a fun atmosphere.

In putting out toys our goal was to have something to stimulate playing without it being an "organized" game that would require one of us to lead.  Our hope was to be relational during this time not to put on a carnival!  :)

So...we put out legos for the small kids, sidewalk chalk, hoola-hoops, jump ropes, and scooters.   Also the weather was hot so we put out a slip'n'slide.  We brought out a child's basketball hoop and put it into the street.  A teen boy saw what we were doing and brought over his full sized hoop and started a game with some of the other boys.  Kids also brought their bikes and rode on the closed off street.

  It worked out great!  The kids were busy playing while the parents visited.

There was plenty of food!  I loved being able to taste all different flavors and recipes.

Towards the end an elderly gentleman brought out his boom-box and put on some Mexican music.  He began dancing with all the women.  I couldn't understand his words but when he pointed at me it was quite clear that it was my turn to dance!  I must confess it was quite awkward!  I am not by nature rhythmic, but the whole point was to be willing to step into others lives and cultures, embracing our differencing...and laughing about it too!

Then came out the karaoke box! 

As we began cleaning up, the music and laughter still went on.

I have never been a part of a block party before so this was all a new experience.  It definitely requires going out of our comfort zones.  Our culture tends to drive out of our houses, do our activities, drive into our garages, shutting the door and unintentionally never engaging with the people who live right on our block, never adding anything to our community.  Most of us do not intend this to happen, it is just the natural way things move...unless we intentionally make a change.

It is only because of the sacrificial of love that God has shown that I am able to gather up the courage to move out of my comfort zone and routine and reach out to our neighbors.