“Chicago is a city of neighborhoods.” It’s a phrase that has been used over and over again. It’s meant to relay the stark changes from one block to the next. The city is made up of all kinds of people. It is truly a melting pot. The suburbs are not so different. Many have neighborhoods with “reputations” based on economics as well as racial distinctions. The homogeneous principle, like attracts like, can be seen throughout the five counties that make up Chicagoland. However, occasionally the Holy Spirit inspires the breaking down of the walls.
Larry, a close friend and fellow Forge Chicago supporter, were on mission one Saturday morning. I was hoping to apprentice him into sharing the duties to greet and pray with our clients. He and I were having a laugh while sharing the gospel when it was time to clean up. The morning distribution was over so the whole team gathers up whatever perishables are left and walks them to the dumpster. Larry was flabbergasted. “All this goes in the dumpster?” He asked. The director told him they had no way to keep it fresh so it needed to be discarded. He couldn't believe it. He kept asking “why” and coming up with some interesting solutions on how we could distribute it. The pantry leader’s answer was always the same. “If you want to take it and start a giveaway program, go right ahead.”
The words took a week to sink in. Larry arranged to come every Saturday at 11 to pick up the remnants. At first, He took the load to an apartment complex for single moms. The next week they weren’t as interested so he brought a van load home. He couldn’t allow himself to put the good food in the trash so He set up a couple of tables on the driveway with all the fresh produce and “free sign.” His wife joined in and knocked on all the neighbors doors. Even though she really didn’t know any of them nor spoke a foriegn language, She did her best to share the good news of free food. Slowly the food disappeared. The next week Larry took the excess food straight to his driveway. Again, his wife went around the neighborhood. This time more people came. Conversations began to develop. Names were remembered. Stories were shared. The multi-ethnic working class community was beginning to come together.
Invariably, neighbors will ask where he gets the food and why is he giving it away. Larry’s answer has led to many shared testimonies of Jesus and God’s provision. My favorite story is of the mail woman who wandered through the mele of people. She was minding her own business when Larry begged her to take some food. She was polite in her refusal but Larry was not going to let her leave. The ensuing conversation became a pastoral moment on the driveway. The mail person shared the recent losses of loved ones and the emotional toll of a parent in ICU. She was reeling from the troubles of life and for some reason, she felt comfortable enough to share the burden. As she was about to leave, Larry asked if he could pray for his sister in Christ. She agreed. The words brought the walls down. The tears signaled the Holy Spirit’s presence. The goodbye salutations made it clear the chains were loosened.
None of us are sure what will happen next. The Holy Spirit is surely out in front. Giving to those once bound by fear. The driveway worship service has been born.