"The Unseen Community" by John Geiger

So far this year has been a year of reflecting on all the things I thought I knew. I have lived in low income neighborhoods, dealt with people in these same desperate situations and personally lived on the same side of the despair. This has given me a sort of arrogance and pride that says, “I know how to relate better than most Christians”. I have learned that this is not the case. Just because I can use some familiar slang (in its proper context) and say, “Yeah, I been locked up”, does not give me any leverage with the kids in the Bing.

I can sit on my porch and chat with some neighborhood boys and rough house with them a little, but this shallow relationship has me nowhere near their hearts. I can give kids rides, provide for some minor physical needs, but I still have not heard one word about what their lives are like at home. I am closer now than I was a month ago, but I am nowhere near being trusted by them. How could I even consider leaving in August and think I have had an impact? If I leave in August I will leave a changed person, but I would not have changed Binghampton, I will be another passerby who tried to do a little good while I was here.

I have also learned that my wife and I are not perceived by residents here as a sign of relief, or of much needed help. We are seen as middle class white people who are a threat because we will buy up land, build a nice house, and clean up the street, raising property values and cut the thread that so many people hang from. It will take more than a year or two for a family to take our kind gestures for what they are and know that we are here to live this life, just as they are.

We desire to be part of the Binghampton community. That is why we came. But there is a community here that we can’t even see because we are too wrapped up in trying to make a community. We as middle class white people need to understand that we are not here in hopes that people will learn to live like us, but that neighbors will plainly see that we love them and we love Christ and our hope is that they may do the same. Binghampton is a strong and tight knit community with a rich history. We are just outsiders that (with pure hearts) have moved in here and ruffled some feathers, put a few smiles on faces and hoped for the best. It is going to take a lot more effort and a lot more time to really become part of Binghampton.

I am not sure how this life is supposed to play out but I do know that we start by building relationships. Once a solid relationship is built, reconciliation might begin. Once reconciliation begins we might be accepted by some as part of the community. Progress can and will happen but it is going to take much more effort than I have been willing to give. I have not yet laid down my life for this community. There are few people here whom I believe have embraced this calling. I hope and pray that in time I will have the courage to do the same. Until that time comes I can only look up to those who are doing it, sacrificing of themselves as they try to figure this thing out. I do know that there will be failures and successes, but if I learn from them and continue to focus on the One who has called me here, He will be the one who changes Binghampton and I will learn it has nothing to do with me.

April, 2009

"The People In My Neighborhood" by Melissa Geiger

I’ve learned I have no strength on my own
I’ve learned black and white mean more than I’ve ever known
I’ve learned there’s despair in feeling alone
I’ve learned I can’t expect people to live how they’ve never been shown

Door bell rings… during naps, and talks, kids have such timing
Hey coach take us here, give me a dollar, can I sit in your chair
Finding the balance between sucker and sharing
Can be quite exhausting when you are “this far” from caring

Potentials unreached and skills not taught
Make tragic lives when different avenues are sought
Young men in the streets with guns in their hands
Looking down upon futures and dreams bleeding in the sand

Kind wave, and a smile, a morning hello
Is the time that I give you, when my day’s on the go
I baked you bread once and when the grass gets long we pay kids to mow
But I’ve never been in your house and your last name I don’t know

Loving people is hard and I get sick of trying
I’m pushed to my limits with frustration and fear
But I always find Jesus upon ending up there
And He reminds that I was once in need of His love and saving

Death, Drugs, and Despair in these streets can be bought
But Strength, Service and a Savior can be found on the corner where Your word is taught
There are some, that are drawing a line in the sand
To show that the our only hope is lying in Your hands

Being a neighbor is more than going with the flow
It’s letting people in, instead of putting on a good show
Jesus please forgive for turning to love so slow
And help me to see that my neighbor is anyone who is feeling low

I’ve learned I have no strength on my own
I’ve learned black and white mean more than I’ve ever known
I’ve learned there’s despair in feeling alone
I’ve learned I can’t expect people to live how they’ve never been shown

April, 2009