I returned from a much-needed vacation today with my family, celebrating my brother's college graduation in California. And several hours later (on a Sunday, may I add) found myself going to my office to gather some materials needed for an Adopt a Bodega workshop at a school tomorrow morning. On the train ride back I opened up a book I've picked up on and off over the past several months - Meditations with Teresa of Avila.  The chapter I was up to is called "Care of the Body" and discusses ho...
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The Missional Life: "Leveraging your personal narrative (identity, gifts, resources, education, budget, etc) to bear witness to a greater story you believe is ultimately true." - Pastor Guy Wasko, Trinity Grace Church - East Village
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I read a quote on my friend's webpage last night as I was checking out her new album being released.  "We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community." - Dorothy Day.  
And then I read it out loud to my housemate, and she pointed up above where she was sitting to the framed quote hanging on the wall.  It was the same quote.  Funny I never noticed it before, or took the time to let its message penetrate my conscience. ...
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My housemate read this quote the other night at dinner, that she heard through the Christian Community Development Association. It's from a Chinese proverb.

Live among them
Learn from them
Love them
Start with what they know
Build on what they have:
But of the best leaders When their task is done
The people will remark "We have done it ourselves."

I believe this sort of love is central to any sort of effort to help meet the needs of a given community, whether in the U.S. or internationally.

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