Love thy next door neighbor!

My suggestion would be to minister to their
temporal needs first in order to get their
attention. When you bake cookies, take a
plate of hot ones down to them--especially
if they are chocolate chip!! When you bake
bread bake a small extra loaf for them. Later,
make ice cream and invite them up for a dish,
leaving your music playing in the background.
Be sure a bible is lying out somewhere, even if
you serve in on the deck. Pray a lot, and be
subtle, not pushy. Let them open the door for
talk.

WI did this in our old neighborhood. There
was a couple and an older boy across the
street who were really rough. I started
praying for them. One day, the mother con-
fided some things, and I responded, "I will
pray." It was not long before her son started
going to church, although the mother and
father never did. Soon, he professed salva-
tion.

In our present neighborhood, there is one
rough family. I give their children hugs, let
them pick fruit at our house, give the family
little things once in a while. I am working
on them. 8o)

We have real nice neighbors on one side who
got very upset when I said I would pray for
their daughter, who was sick. That was very
curious. Then, of the only professing neighbor
family on the street, they are ExtReMelY
unfriendly and sullen. The rest of the neigh-
bors are great! Well, we're working on them---
subtlely.

 

I have neighbors who scream, yell,and fight. The kids are out of control, lighting fire crackers every night til midnight. Our neighborhood was nice and quiet and peaceful and then these people moved in. They have caused several arguments with neighbors over such things as property lines, sewer drainage, your son called my son "_______", you name it! I would honestly fear for my safety walking over to thier house and knocking on the door wanting to talk about Jesus.

I think when neighbors seem dangerous, the best we can do is pray for an opportunity.

 

My situation is a little different, in that all my neighbors are of the "religious" persuasion-a 'cult' called "oneness/Jesus-only", known around these parts as "Apostolic"...

There are 40acres across from me, 10acres on either side of me & a multi-million$$$ Tabernacle being built behind me. There are no preachers anywhere who will speak out against them! I do what I can in my limited capacity, but it seems an uphill battle.

 

well...my neighbors are vampires...
Just kidding!! They actually are really just old people who don't get out much (though, they do seem to only get out during the night) We really did call them the vampire people, and the day that I knew it had gone too far was when I walked outside and saw my neighbor going to the mailbox, and I started to turn around and run inside. I can't believe that we called them the vampire people. It embarasses me now.

 

On one side of us there is a used car dealership, across the street there is a bar, and (are you ready for this?) the Hell's Angels just bought the property right on the other side of us. 'Love' them all; I do try...witnessing...haven't gotten that figured out yet!

 

The definite need here is for you to be salt and light to this neighbor. First, continue praying and look at them from an eternal perspective. Second, take progressive steps to establish a relationship with them by being hospitable. Think of how they view you--probably as "the religious people next door." They need to see real evidence of your love by an invitation to a cookout or some baked goods. Let the conversation be about their life and let them open up about their problems. Once they open up--it may take a few touches--then you can share the gospel with them. Keep a record of your planned contacts and get others in your church to pray. Eventually introduce them to other believers at your home.

 

pjohnson: (Missions Pastor)
Thank you for your advice! Maybe I came across the wrong way in my post. I don't despise my new neighbors, and I am kind/hospitable every time I'm outside and get the chance. Even my husband has helped them with clearing the thorn bushes from thier property manually (his reasons are different than mine though, unfortunately).

When they first came and introduced themselves to me it was quite a shock, and a little scary. However, not once have they said or done anything to establish my fears as reality. They even allow me (and my family) to continue to take walks out in thier back field. (We used to always walk out there when the insurance guy still owned the property.) So when I go on my early morning walks; which is when I have my morning prayer time as well...I make sure to include all of them in my prayers too.

Thanks again!

p.s. When I look again-maybe you weren't even answering my post specifically...oooops! It was good advice for me too though!

[ August 30, 2002, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: mommynurse69 ]

 

Ingo,

Southeast, Mo where I live is Meth Capital of the world! And if you go just a little further its Marijuana Capital. And there is a street in our town called Skid Row. 4 Taverns, side by side.

I have neighbors all around me like what you are saying. It is awful. Party every night. I ask them all the time to please turn there stereos down at night and they do until you leave. Every so often they have knock down drag outs and the women will wear sporting new black eyes. They all have little children who play in the street, and unattended. Or they flock to my yard. Like their moms send them here so I will be babysitter. UGH!

So what do I do?!! I go over and say I attend 2nd General Baptist Church, and we have 2 services on Sunday Morning, and a wonderful Youth club, and Childrens club on Wed. Night. Even a Bible Study for Adults. I would like to invite you and your children. If you do not have transportation...we have a van that can pick you up. Here is the number. Sometimes I say, if you need to just talk to someone, I would be glad to listen or get you a number of someone you would feel more comfortable talking too. I leave them a phamplet about our church and some tracks.

If they refuse to go...I will say...would it be alright if I picked your kids up for church? I am a foward kind of person. So I am seldom ever embarassed, or shy. I am seldom imtimidated by people either. I think that is probably a gift the Lord has given me. But nothing seldom ever shocks me either about people. We live in a town of little over 7000 people. I bet I know at least 5000 of them. Maybe not by name all of them...but I know them. And I have seen more things in this town than I ever did living in St. Louis or California.

Give it a shot tho. Once you have made some kind of move on them...and they know what you are about...they will keep it down a little bit. At least until the weekend. Oh man I really do not like it when its the first of the month and they got money, or holidays. We get our Ice Tea and sit out back and watch the three ring circus. Then I spend the intire evenning praying for them.

But its getting better. There little kids are going to church now. And that One bunch moved. We got a new bunch. He falls down drunk all over the place. Its really sad. So I add one more to my prayer list.

Your hands are surely full
God Bless
Sherrie

 

I am praying Ingo...I am praying.

Sherrie