What am I doing in El Cajon?
Sometime last year I met my friend's wife for the first time and she asked where we lived. Her second question was, "What do you do in La Jolla?" I proceeded to tell her that I didn't actually work in La Jolla, but that I was a teacher in a neighboring community. As I was rambling on about my profession I got the the feeling that I had completely missed the question. She was attentive and alert and warm as I spoke, but I couldn't help feeling that I wasn't answering her question.
I wasn't.
She asked what I did in La Jolla. What did I do in La Jolla? The question was honest and simple enough. Why was it so hard to answer?
My wife and I had been enjoying loving our neighbors. We'd been making great inroads in the homeless community in La Jolla. However, we were spontaneous at best. Each time we'd walk to the beach we'd stop and talk with whichever friends we passed. We'd find out what their needs were and do our best to meet the ones we were able to meet.
But my friend's question really helped us to be more intentional in our pursuit to love our neighbors. We talked with our small network of friends without homes and asked if they would be interested in having a consistent time each week when we could all be together and share a meal. The overwhelming response was yes. So, from that time on we have been meeting at La Jolla Shores at 10am for breakfast each Sunday.
But now we've moved to El Cajon. What am I doing in El Cajon?
We'd been looking for houses for a while. We continually prayed that God would lead us to the house that he wanted us in. A place where we could be a light. We put several offers on houses we liked and loved. Nothing stuck. Until we ended up on Mount Merritt. All the doors opened. And here we are.
But why are we here? What am I doing in El Cajon?
The question is a bit exciting really. What does God have in store for us in this new community?