I was so excited this last Saturday morning when we were picking up trash and prayer walking through the Valley View Heights Neighborhood. The family who are going to let us use their front drive way for our first crimewatch meeting--was telling me about a neighbor down the street that they had had problems with in the past over kids not getting along--and how that neighbor came by the other day and apologized and wanted to rebuild their relationship. And now the kids are playing together and I was soooooo encouraged! And the dad at that house--he is somewhat disabled, but can work some--and they were telling me how he's been doing some mowing for a couple of churches and getting some income. I so felt that some prayers for families on Rose Street have been answered! So exciting! God is so good!
I am also seeing more almost manicured yards, less trash on the streets, and more workers at vacant homes that have been in disrepair for some time.
Our first crimewatch meeting is set for Monday November 15th! Be praying that we have a good turnout of neighbors.
The Nehemiah Mesquite Mission is also working to help our city's unemployed find jobs. Be praying about this.
Lets take Christ all through our neighborhoods in Mesquite!
Bruce
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
LETS KEEP MOVING FORWARD!!!!
Tonight, I was reading some Facebook posts where some current and former Mesquite residents were complaining and calling Mesquite "Ghetto" and that our city was no longer a good place to live. I appreciate their views, but strongly disagree with their assessments!
There are many challenges for sure in our city! But there are also many good things happening all over!
I have personally seen a lot of positive changes at Town East Mall--and more and more of our residents are shopping there again! Plus, I think we are going to see a strong shopping spree in the Town East Retail Area or (TERA) come this Christmas! We had another great "Addressing Mesquite Day" a few weeks back and many homes that needed repairs and Ministerial Alliance is working and praying hard to keep God's love and goodness spread around our City! My church (At The Cross) continues to work and serve at places like Allenhurst and Peachtree Apartments where povery runs rampant and many children grow up in very challenging and difficult situations! Organizations like Sharing Life and Mesquite Social Services are working hard with very little to help our many famlies that are struggling during this very hard economic times! The Mesquite Chamber of Commerce, The City of Mesquite and many of our local businesses are working aggressively to expand economic growth and create job growth in our city! The Nehemiah Mesquite Mission that I lead, is working hard to improve and rebuild our older neighborhoods as well as help the unemployed of our city find jobs. Crimewatches are growing in neighborhoods all over Mesquite. I could keep on going and going.
However, none of that means we are not without serious challenges--we certainly do face many struggles! But with a lot of prayer and God's people rolling up our sleeves--things can continue to change and get better! Nehemiah, with God's annointed blessing, gathered up enough of God's people to volunteer and help rebuild the walls and gates around Jerusalem. My hope, prayer, and desire is that more and more of our good citizens who love the Lord and love their fellow Mesquite citizens--will stand up and get involed in serving and changing our older neighborhoods and all the many other struggles we face here in Mesquite!
LETS GET TO WORK!
Bruce
There are many challenges for sure in our city! But there are also many good things happening all over!
I have personally seen a lot of positive changes at Town East Mall--and more and more of our residents are shopping there again! Plus, I think we are going to see a strong shopping spree in the Town East Retail Area or (TERA) come this Christmas! We had another great "Addressing Mesquite Day" a few weeks back and many homes that needed repairs and Ministerial Alliance is working and praying hard to keep God's love and goodness spread around our City! My church (At The Cross) continues to work and serve at places like Allenhurst and Peachtree Apartments where povery runs rampant and many children grow up in very challenging and difficult situations! Organizations like Sharing Life and Mesquite Social Services are working hard with very little to help our many famlies that are struggling during this very hard economic times! The Mesquite Chamber of Commerce, The City of Mesquite and many of our local businesses are working aggressively to expand economic growth and create job growth in our city! The Nehemiah Mesquite Mission that I lead, is working hard to improve and rebuild our older neighborhoods as well as help the unemployed of our city find jobs. Crimewatches are growing in neighborhoods all over Mesquite. I could keep on going and going.
However, none of that means we are not without serious challenges--we certainly do face many struggles! But with a lot of prayer and God's people rolling up our sleeves--things can continue to change and get better! Nehemiah, with God's annointed blessing, gathered up enough of God's people to volunteer and help rebuild the walls and gates around Jerusalem. My hope, prayer, and desire is that more and more of our good citizens who love the Lord and love their fellow Mesquite citizens--will stand up and get involed in serving and changing our older neighborhoods and all the many other struggles we face here in Mesquite!
LETS GET TO WORK!
Bruce
Saturday, October 23, 2010
PROGRESS ALL OVER MESQUITE!!!
Its been a very exciting week for me to say the least and a great week for the City of Mesquite!
PEACHTREE APARTMENTS
Last Sunday my congregation held our Sunday worship service on the grounds of Peachtree Apartments! It was so beautiful--we had a lot of residents who worshipped with us and a bunch of kids! I have often seen people who sit in worship because they feel as if they have to--but I could see hope in some of their eyes! And the children were so precious! Peachtree is a difficult place for children to grow up, so we need more and more Christians to come help us show love there--just like at Allenhurst!
MY NEIGHBORHOOD
After our initial crimewatch meeting for the City Lake Park Neighborhood (thats my name for it--I don't know what the actual plat shows :) ---we had our first neighborhood crimewatch/block party. Wildwood Baptist Church hosted our event--it was an opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other so they can look out for each other! In fact, before I introduced Mayor Monaco, I told the crowd of neighbors--"Jesus said to love your neighbor." What better way to love our neighbors--than to first know each other and and look out for each other. We had hamburgers and hotdogs and Pastor Jason Tingle and some of his staff and members were sooooo very gracious and hospitable! There were so many adults just sitting and talking and getting to know each other. There were kids playing in the parking lot--riding bikes and skateboarding--and there was just a real sense of love in the air--and real community! My heart was very full and warm! I appreciated some of our Mesquite fireman and Officer Don Williams, who helps all the crimewatches get started. Mayor Monaco did a great job of encouraging everyone to be vigilant and involved in bettering our neighborhood and offered the support of city hall! The weather was so nice and it was just a wonderful night! Special thanks to Gary and Nadine Ward and Robert Drennan for all their help!
VALLEY VIEW HEIGHTS
Today, we picked up trash on Rose, Carnation, and Lilack Streets in the Valley View Heights Neighborhood. We took some time to pray for on each street--for families who are unemployed or are struggling financially. There was not near as much trash to pick up as there was a few weeks ago when we first started working to rebuild that neighborhood. And you could see progress on some of the houses that had been sitting vacant for a while--there were workers fixing and cleaning them up. When I spoke to some of the residents of Rose and Lilac Streets that we've gottent o know already--they said things have been a little quieter and they have had no more break ins lately. I believe the prayers that have been going up for that neighborhood are being answered! I went to see James, who will be our crime watch chairman on Rose Street, he was in the hospital earlier this week and has a staff infection. His wife invited us in and we tried to encourage him and pray for him. Pray for James to heal up quickly--he is a blessing to the neighborhood families in Valley View Heights! I am hopeful that we can do this again next Saturday--so we can finish up the other streets. We had one volunteer today. We need more for next time.
OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS
I was encouraged Thursday night at my neighborhood event that the mother of one of the ladies who were there from Wildwood Street--wants us to help start a crimewatch where she lives on Jardin.
Lord willing, when we finish the Valley View Heights Neighborhood--we can start on the next neighborhood--I am praying for guidance on just where that will be?
God is good! Let us rebuild the walls and thus lives of the people of Mesquite--just as Nehemiah and God's people rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem! There is much to be done!
FUTURE CHRISTIAN JOB FAIR/HOPE EVENT
I am praying about possibly putting together an event where the unemployed of Mesquite can come together and we will pray for them as well as maybe have some folks there with their computers to put together some resumes and have some business professionals there to talk about various job skills such as interviewing strategies etc. Be praying about that please.
PEACHTREE APARTMENTS
Last Sunday my congregation held our Sunday worship service on the grounds of Peachtree Apartments! It was so beautiful--we had a lot of residents who worshipped with us and a bunch of kids! I have often seen people who sit in worship because they feel as if they have to--but I could see hope in some of their eyes! And the children were so precious! Peachtree is a difficult place for children to grow up, so we need more and more Christians to come help us show love there--just like at Allenhurst!
MY NEIGHBORHOOD
After our initial crimewatch meeting for the City Lake Park Neighborhood (thats my name for it--I don't know what the actual plat shows :) ---we had our first neighborhood crimewatch/block party. Wildwood Baptist Church hosted our event--it was an opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other so they can look out for each other! In fact, before I introduced Mayor Monaco, I told the crowd of neighbors--"Jesus said to love your neighbor." What better way to love our neighbors--than to first know each other and and look out for each other. We had hamburgers and hotdogs and Pastor Jason Tingle and some of his staff and members were sooooo very gracious and hospitable! There were so many adults just sitting and talking and getting to know each other. There were kids playing in the parking lot--riding bikes and skateboarding--and there was just a real sense of love in the air--and real community! My heart was very full and warm! I appreciated some of our Mesquite fireman and Officer Don Williams, who helps all the crimewatches get started. Mayor Monaco did a great job of encouraging everyone to be vigilant and involved in bettering our neighborhood and offered the support of city hall! The weather was so nice and it was just a wonderful night! Special thanks to Gary and Nadine Ward and Robert Drennan for all their help!
VALLEY VIEW HEIGHTS
Today, we picked up trash on Rose, Carnation, and Lilack Streets in the Valley View Heights Neighborhood. We took some time to pray for on each street--for families who are unemployed or are struggling financially. There was not near as much trash to pick up as there was a few weeks ago when we first started working to rebuild that neighborhood. And you could see progress on some of the houses that had been sitting vacant for a while--there were workers fixing and cleaning them up. When I spoke to some of the residents of Rose and Lilac Streets that we've gottent o know already--they said things have been a little quieter and they have had no more break ins lately. I believe the prayers that have been going up for that neighborhood are being answered! I went to see James, who will be our crime watch chairman on Rose Street, he was in the hospital earlier this week and has a staff infection. His wife invited us in and we tried to encourage him and pray for him. Pray for James to heal up quickly--he is a blessing to the neighborhood families in Valley View Heights! I am hopeful that we can do this again next Saturday--so we can finish up the other streets. We had one volunteer today. We need more for next time.
OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS
I was encouraged Thursday night at my neighborhood event that the mother of one of the ladies who were there from Wildwood Street--wants us to help start a crimewatch where she lives on Jardin.
Lord willing, when we finish the Valley View Heights Neighborhood--we can start on the next neighborhood--I am praying for guidance on just where that will be?
God is good! Let us rebuild the walls and thus lives of the people of Mesquite--just as Nehemiah and God's people rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem! There is much to be done!
FUTURE CHRISTIAN JOB FAIR/HOPE EVENT
I am praying about possibly putting together an event where the unemployed of Mesquite can come together and we will pray for them as well as maybe have some folks there with their computers to put together some resumes and have some business professionals there to talk about various job skills such as interviewing strategies etc. Be praying about that please.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Making Progress In The Streets of Mesquite
We were not able to spend much time in the Valley View Heights neighborhood this last week, as we had to prepare for my church's worship service at Peachtree Apartments today and I had to spend some time in my neighborhood preparing for a crimewatch/block party we are having for our City Lake Crimewatch. In fact, if you live nearby City Lake or Paschall Park, come join us this coming Thursday evening for a good fellowship of neighbors and Mayor John Monaco at Wildwood Baptist Church parking lot. 6:30-8:30. Hamburgers and hot dogs! Its an opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other and help look out for one another. We hit a lot of doors on streets like Bois D Arc, Wildwood, Pecan, and Cedar yesterda, inviting folks. One thing that struck me as I was walking from house to house--I became so fully aware--that you really can't truly appreciate Mesquite--until you really get out in the neighborhoods--not in a car--but just being up close with the people and where they live. Its really all about THE PEOPLE! Thats who God really cares about!
VALLEY VIEW HEIGHTS
I spoke to our future crime watch chairman a bit ago from the Valley View Heights Neighborhood and he said more neighbors seem to be getting interested in participating in a crime watch. So I will be contacting Officer Don Williams this week to see about scheduling our first crime watch meeting for Rose, Daffodil, and Lilac Streets in the Valley View Heights Neighborhood.
UPCOMING EVENT
Saturday morning, October 23 at 10:30--we will be asking any volunteers we can get--to join us to go prayer walk through Valley View Heights--and to have a trash bash at the same time. We will be specifically praying on each street--for every family who may be unemployed or who is hurting financially. If you can help us that day--please contact me at bsarcher1@yahoo.com or (972) 834-7099. We will meet at the corner of Carnation and Rodeo Center.
Also, I am praying and brainstorming about the possibility of having an event in November, where we invite everyone who is unemployed or who needs a better job to survive from around Mesquite and have some special prayer time. Also, we would hopefully have some business leaders and possibly some business teachers who could offer tips on hiring strategies, interviewing--and hopefully we could have a few computers there and some folks who could help people who need a put a resume together. Please pray about the possibility of this.
Let us continue to have the attitude that Nehemiah had when he saw there was a great need God's people had back in Jerusalem--when he said "Send me!"
Blessings,
Bruce
VALLEY VIEW HEIGHTS
I spoke to our future crime watch chairman a bit ago from the Valley View Heights Neighborhood and he said more neighbors seem to be getting interested in participating in a crime watch. So I will be contacting Officer Don Williams this week to see about scheduling our first crime watch meeting for Rose, Daffodil, and Lilac Streets in the Valley View Heights Neighborhood.
UPCOMING EVENT
Saturday morning, October 23 at 10:30--we will be asking any volunteers we can get--to join us to go prayer walk through Valley View Heights--and to have a trash bash at the same time. We will be specifically praying on each street--for every family who may be unemployed or who is hurting financially. If you can help us that day--please contact me at bsarcher1@yahoo.com or (972) 834-7099. We will meet at the corner of Carnation and Rodeo Center.
Also, I am praying and brainstorming about the possibility of having an event in November, where we invite everyone who is unemployed or who needs a better job to survive from around Mesquite and have some special prayer time. Also, we would hopefully have some business leaders and possibly some business teachers who could offer tips on hiring strategies, interviewing--and hopefully we could have a few computers there and some folks who could help people who need a put a resume together. Please pray about the possibility of this.
Let us continue to have the attitude that Nehemiah had when he saw there was a great need God's people had back in Jerusalem--when he said "Send me!"
Blessings,
Bruce
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Update On Nehemiah Mesquite Mission
The Nehemiah Mesquite Mission will not be working as much in the Valley View Heights Neighborhood this week due to some other important works going on in Mesquite. However, I do hope to get with James, our future crimewatch chairman for Rose, Lilac and Carnation Streets. I am hopeful we can get some details together and try to schedule our first crimewatch meeting some time in November Lord willing.
After our first crime watch meeting, I am hopeful to schedule a neighborhood block party after that to just bring neighbors together and bring about fellowship. Jesus tells us to love our neighbors!
I am also hopeful we will be able to schedule a special time in November for prayer for that neighborhood—for everyone who lives there who may be unemployed or struggling financially.
We need volunteers to help with helping those families who legitimately need help with their lawns or with cutting down bushes and overhanging limbs that are code violations. Or maybe we can help people find some second hand mowers if they need them. I know of one widow on Rose Street that I have not gotten to talk to yet, who I am sure needs some help here and there. I am also hopeful we can schedule a “Trash Bash” soon and get as many volunteers as we can and just walk up and down every street and pick up trash and litter—and of course, try to involve some of the residents to help us—as it is their street and their neighborhood! We just want to be helpful neighbors! And Lord willing, after some of the Valley View Heights residents get their rougher spots up to par and feel better about where they live and run crime out—perhaps they can then help us go into other older and neglected neighborhoods and carry on the work of rebuilding and bringing about hope!
Over the years, I have seen people who live at Allenhurst Apartments who became Christians while living there or who were already Christians—but they received needed help at times, later go help us with mission work at Peachtree Apartments. I think some call it “Paying It Forward.” I call it, having a grateful heart for what Jesus has done for all of us!
Lets keep that momentum going! Please pray for God to bless the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission!
After our first crime watch meeting, I am hopeful to schedule a neighborhood block party after that to just bring neighbors together and bring about fellowship. Jesus tells us to love our neighbors!
I am also hopeful we will be able to schedule a special time in November for prayer for that neighborhood—for everyone who lives there who may be unemployed or struggling financially.
We need volunteers to help with helping those families who legitimately need help with their lawns or with cutting down bushes and overhanging limbs that are code violations. Or maybe we can help people find some second hand mowers if they need them. I know of one widow on Rose Street that I have not gotten to talk to yet, who I am sure needs some help here and there. I am also hopeful we can schedule a “Trash Bash” soon and get as many volunteers as we can and just walk up and down every street and pick up trash and litter—and of course, try to involve some of the residents to help us—as it is their street and their neighborhood! We just want to be helpful neighbors! And Lord willing, after some of the Valley View Heights residents get their rougher spots up to par and feel better about where they live and run crime out—perhaps they can then help us go into other older and neglected neighborhoods and carry on the work of rebuilding and bringing about hope!
Over the years, I have seen people who live at Allenhurst Apartments who became Christians while living there or who were already Christians—but they received needed help at times, later go help us with mission work at Peachtree Apartments. I think some call it “Paying It Forward.” I call it, having a grateful heart for what Jesus has done for all of us!
Lets keep that momentum going! Please pray for God to bless the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday Night Journey In Valley View Heights
Last night (Thursday October 7th), I met Mesquite City Councilman Stan Pickett (Place 3) at the convenience store at Carnation and Rodeo Center to go walk some streets in the Valley View Heights Neighborhood. Our purpose was primarily to go around and knock doors of those homes, whose owners or renters are doing a great job of keeping their property looking nice and clean. We wanted to encourage them to keep moving forward and let them know they are valued!
We got to spend some time with James, who is going to be our first crimewatch chairman in Valley View Heights--and James took us around to a few doors of folks he met. We had some wonderful visits. There is definitely a little more progress already taking place in that neighborhood than I realized--in bits and pieces! But of course, we saw other homes and heard about numerous families having their homes broken into 2 or 3 times over the past few months--so there is definitely much work yet to be done!
I was very proud of Councilman Pickett and proud to have him with me. He really made everyone we met feel at ease and showed all of them kindness and genuine empathy. It always warms my heart deeply--when a person of influence takes the time to show love and kindness to those who have no influence--who would otherwise be easily forgotten! Thats one of the reasons I so value Mayor Monaco--because he has come out so many times to places like Allenhurst and Peachtree Apartments and showed real kindness to everyone!
It was a very productive evening and I was very excited when we left! Word is getting around--at least on Rose Street that help is on the way. I can also see where the City of Mesquite has been pushing some issues with a few homes--that were just out of control in terms of code issues.
And I wanna be very clear--OUR PURPOSE IS NOT TO HARRASS PEOPLE INTO HAVING PERFECTLY MANICURED HOMES! My home was built in 1940 and needs a number of things done to it. We do what we can here and there when we can afford it. I am simply talking about big eye sore issues like very high weeds and grass, lots of trash, and things that are just way out of control. My concerns--are situations where there is maybe a vacant house that looks awful sitting there for a long time--the neighbors around that home should not have to be demoralized by that day in and day out! There were several homes we walked by last night--that could use a paint job or a little touch up here and there--but they were homes who had nicely mowed lawns, no trash, and you could tell they were making efforts to do what is right. I think thats all we should really ask of folks in neighborhoods that need so much work done!
Pray for the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission--that more families--especially children--who live in rougher parts of our city--will get to experience more of the abundant life Jesus promised! Pray that evil and ugliness and crime will be rooted out of places like the Valley View Heights Neighborhood. Pray for God to raise up and give courage to good people like James--to become leaders among their neighbors! Pray for every family in that neighborhood to be enpowered to step out with courage and make a difference!
These things and more can be done--with God's help--and support from good citizens in Mesquite! Thank you Councilman Pickett for making a difference last night.
God bless our city!
Bruce
We got to spend some time with James, who is going to be our first crimewatch chairman in Valley View Heights--and James took us around to a few doors of folks he met. We had some wonderful visits. There is definitely a little more progress already taking place in that neighborhood than I realized--in bits and pieces! But of course, we saw other homes and heard about numerous families having their homes broken into 2 or 3 times over the past few months--so there is definitely much work yet to be done!
I was very proud of Councilman Pickett and proud to have him with me. He really made everyone we met feel at ease and showed all of them kindness and genuine empathy. It always warms my heart deeply--when a person of influence takes the time to show love and kindness to those who have no influence--who would otherwise be easily forgotten! Thats one of the reasons I so value Mayor Monaco--because he has come out so many times to places like Allenhurst and Peachtree Apartments and showed real kindness to everyone!
It was a very productive evening and I was very excited when we left! Word is getting around--at least on Rose Street that help is on the way. I can also see where the City of Mesquite has been pushing some issues with a few homes--that were just out of control in terms of code issues.
And I wanna be very clear--OUR PURPOSE IS NOT TO HARRASS PEOPLE INTO HAVING PERFECTLY MANICURED HOMES! My home was built in 1940 and needs a number of things done to it. We do what we can here and there when we can afford it. I am simply talking about big eye sore issues like very high weeds and grass, lots of trash, and things that are just way out of control. My concerns--are situations where there is maybe a vacant house that looks awful sitting there for a long time--the neighbors around that home should not have to be demoralized by that day in and day out! There were several homes we walked by last night--that could use a paint job or a little touch up here and there--but they were homes who had nicely mowed lawns, no trash, and you could tell they were making efforts to do what is right. I think thats all we should really ask of folks in neighborhoods that need so much work done!
Pray for the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission--that more families--especially children--who live in rougher parts of our city--will get to experience more of the abundant life Jesus promised! Pray that evil and ugliness and crime will be rooted out of places like the Valley View Heights Neighborhood. Pray for God to raise up and give courage to good people like James--to become leaders among their neighbors! Pray for every family in that neighborhood to be enpowered to step out with courage and make a difference!
These things and more can be done--with God's help--and support from good citizens in Mesquite! Thank you Councilman Pickett for making a difference last night.
God bless our city!
Bruce
Saturday, October 2, 2010
NEWS FROM THE VALLEY VIEW HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD
Today (Saturday) my boys and I went into the Valley View Heights Neighborhood to cut some lawns, cut down some overhanging bushes and trees for some families who need the help. I was hoping we might have a few volunteers show up today, but we will keep trying! But a great day nonetheless. First, anytime my kids do some physical labor--its a good thing! :)
We worked on a single mom's house first on Rodeo Center--a lady I met last Saturday. We cut down a bunch of way over hung tree branches in her back yard. We couldn't finish it all because I needed more advanced equipment for some of it--but we made a dent in it. She seemed encouraged, so that was encouraging to me. Then we mowed a lawn on to one of the flower streets, and while the boys were mowing, I was able to make friends with a family whose been living there for a few years. The man is disabled, but he and his wife keep a pretty nice yard and have some benches on their front drive way--making it an appealing place to sit and congregate. Their two kids were very sweet! After making friends with this couple and listening to their thoughts about the needs of the neighborhood and their street--they introduced me to a man down the street who appears to be somewhat of a leader on that street. He agreed to be our crime watch chair person for the street--and the family whose lawn we mowed--agreed to host the first crime watch meeting in their drive way! I AM VERY EXCITED AT THIS POINT! I got to have some prayer time with these families and it was a beautiful moment!
I met a few more neighbors--and found out from everyone, that there have been a lot of break ins lately in that neighborhood. They did all say that the Mesquite Police makes regular runs down their street. Which to me proves, that no matter how active our police are--we need citizens involved and proactive in watching what is going on and keeping regular communication with each other and the police departments.
Each of the families I met with, are all doing the best they can and all want their children to grow up in a safe and joyful place. We all certainly want that!
So I will be getting back with these families over the next week to try and set up our first crime watch meeting and try to work some with the gentleman who is going to be the crime watch leader for that street. This Thursday evening, I am taking a walk through the neighborhood with Stan Pickett, the city councilman who has Valley View Heights in his district--and we are going to go around and visit with neighbors and encourage and thank those neighbors who are doing a good job taking care of their properties. We won't be able to thank everyone who deserves a thanks in one night--but we will make a start! I so appreciate Councilman Pickett for his willingness to encourage his constituents in this neighborhood--a neighborhood that is one of the many important and special places around our great city! Every citizen and every resident--be they in a home or an apartment or a trailer or even if they live in one of the week to week motels over off of Hwy 80--ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR CITY AND THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD!
Please be praying for all the families in the Valley View Heights Neighborhood! Please pray for the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission!
Bruce
We worked on a single mom's house first on Rodeo Center--a lady I met last Saturday. We cut down a bunch of way over hung tree branches in her back yard. We couldn't finish it all because I needed more advanced equipment for some of it--but we made a dent in it. She seemed encouraged, so that was encouraging to me. Then we mowed a lawn on to one of the flower streets, and while the boys were mowing, I was able to make friends with a family whose been living there for a few years. The man is disabled, but he and his wife keep a pretty nice yard and have some benches on their front drive way--making it an appealing place to sit and congregate. Their two kids were very sweet! After making friends with this couple and listening to their thoughts about the needs of the neighborhood and their street--they introduced me to a man down the street who appears to be somewhat of a leader on that street. He agreed to be our crime watch chair person for the street--and the family whose lawn we mowed--agreed to host the first crime watch meeting in their drive way! I AM VERY EXCITED AT THIS POINT! I got to have some prayer time with these families and it was a beautiful moment!
I met a few more neighbors--and found out from everyone, that there have been a lot of break ins lately in that neighborhood. They did all say that the Mesquite Police makes regular runs down their street. Which to me proves, that no matter how active our police are--we need citizens involved and proactive in watching what is going on and keeping regular communication with each other and the police departments.
Each of the families I met with, are all doing the best they can and all want their children to grow up in a safe and joyful place. We all certainly want that!
So I will be getting back with these families over the next week to try and set up our first crime watch meeting and try to work some with the gentleman who is going to be the crime watch leader for that street. This Thursday evening, I am taking a walk through the neighborhood with Stan Pickett, the city councilman who has Valley View Heights in his district--and we are going to go around and visit with neighbors and encourage and thank those neighbors who are doing a good job taking care of their properties. We won't be able to thank everyone who deserves a thanks in one night--but we will make a start! I so appreciate Councilman Pickett for his willingness to encourage his constituents in this neighborhood--a neighborhood that is one of the many important and special places around our great city! Every citizen and every resident--be they in a home or an apartment or a trailer or even if they live in one of the week to week motels over off of Hwy 80--ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR CITY AND THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD!
Please be praying for all the families in the Valley View Heights Neighborhood! Please pray for the Nehemiah Mesquite Mission!
Bruce
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