From Blueprint to Embodiment

On Thursday morning we eagerly undertook the building of the planned Community Garden behind the St. John Baptist Church building in the Leonidas/West Carrollton area of New Orleans.
Don Boutte, a respected leader among the New Orleans clergy, is senior Pastor at St. John. The dynamic Clifford Jones assists.
Chuck and Greg had come to NOLA a week or two before to prepare the lumber for our project, line up soil, rent trucks, etc. They did an amazing job.
With an inspired vision, careful plan, common will, and shared faith, we came together. Everyone offered what they had. We practiced teamwork, encouraged one another, and discovered what was possible. Among my cherished memories are:

--Greg's moving to the forefront of each effort
--Derek's quiet determination and heavy lifting
--Colleen covered with more dirt than anyone else!
--Brittany's shepherding, with the heart of a young social worker
--Sheila rooting all our efforts in prayer
--Karen (who loves hammering) overseeing our health and self-care, having us report to her
--Lolly's encouragement and the care-ful practice of friendship

--Debra up and ready for work at 5:30 AM; the twinkling in her eye when she would see a photographic subject
--Brian's incredible industry, and his gentle smile
--Shirley's laughter, and excellent questions
--Ken's partnership in work and planting with Jermaine, a young boy from the neighborhood
--Chuck's amazing leadership

Very often, in this kind of project, the skilled workers want to do most of the work so that it is "perfect." But God is not concerned with perfection; rather, God loves wholeness. "Be whole, as your heavenly Father is whole (Matthew 5:48)." While our skilled people were incredibly dedicated, we discovered that this project took everyone to become what it was, and some of the greatest ingredients were intangible.
Our hosts prepared delicious, abundant meals for us at lunchtime (spicy fried chicken, red beans and rice, jambalaya, bread pudding). The meals would be blessed with a hymn, sung heartily, and then a prayer. And we were blessed.