What's in a Name?

There is something about naming that is powerful.  We see it in Scripture when Saul becomes Paul. And although he certainly didn't seem to act like it much, Peter was "the rock."

I couldn't get out of the car in the parking lot our first few months at Willow Pond without hearing another story about the legendary "Psycho."  I think the descriptions might have been slightly over-blown, but the picture that was established in my mind was a young man who was apparently on the loose, on the prowl, and wreaking havoc.

We are coming up on 6 months in relationship with him.  And boy, have we seen a change.

A few weeks into our time at Willow Pond, I had finally heard enough to go over and find his parent(s). In part to talk to them about their son and in part to learn the "story" behind the door. I found out they were immigrants from Bosnia.  10 kids in the family.  About half of them still in the small family apartment at Willow Pond.  I talked with the Dad through "Psycho's" older brother - who translated.  I told him that we were trying to make peace at Willow Pond and asked if they would help us.  After a little conversation, the next thing you know he invited us into the apartment.  We met the Mother, who sat on the ground grinding coffee.  As we stood in the living room, I noticed that behind two extremely large trophies on the mantle, a picture of Jesus was on the wall. And so I pointed and made a comment about it.  The Dad thought I was pointing to the trophies.  So, naturally he went and grabbed the trophies off the shelf and gave them to us. And if the Dad excitedly presents you with two trophies from his living room mantle, then you excitedly receive the two trophies! They still reside in the Community Center.

Back to "Psycho."  The change we have seen in him over the last few months has been really wonderful.  We have heard him say things like "I'm not gonna fight" in a situation when he normally would have. We have seen him serve and communicate respectfully (two of our laws) with greater frequency.  We have seen him make friends with kids who the other kids pick on. Now Rome wasn't built in a day.  And we still have plenty of, shall we say, "growth opportunities" with him.   But it is way different than it used to be.

Recently, Suzanne created the "I've Changed" award at the Kids Club.  It is, literally, a sack of change.  (We're learning that a little money to take to the convenience store across the street goes a long way with these guys).

When we presented the award to "Psycho" (our first recipient of the award!) a few weeks back, our Community Center Supervisor Rickey Fanning actually re-named him!  He announced that "Psycho" would now be called by his real name.  Salco.   As you can see in the video, Salco looks toward the camera and smiles at the moment of re-naming.

Pretty fun.

-- Dean Wilson and Will Dowell

Real Men - Gift of Contentment

One of the things we have decided in regards to the gatherings of the "Real Men" is that we don't always want to come with the time together planned out. This can allow for maybe a little more laughter, candid conversation, spontaneity, and so forth.

So, this week the plan was to not have a plan. I asked them what was going on in their lives and we laughed a little. We talked about some upcoming activities and events as well.

Then, I said, "If you wanted to ask me a question about something, what would it be?"

One of the boys immediately raised his hand and asked me why his mother would buy things for other people and not for him and his brother. The question was clearly at the top of his mind.

His question led us to a wonderful conversation where I described the gift of contentment and thankfulness. I told the boy that he is not responsible for what his mother does...but that he can choose to be content and thankful no matter what he has. I told them that even if/when they get their own car...they will be driving down the street and constantly see nicer cars. They are into cars...so I used that example.

Contentment and thankfulness. These are good gifts of God and my prayer is that as these young boys grow, physically and in character, they receive them!

--Dean Wilson

"Real Women"

The "Real Women" small group of Willow Pond Kids Club ladies has begun! The photo above illustrates the first lesson.  Suzanne demonstrated that if you stack the boxes differently (i.e. small box on the bottom/foundation)...that it is much more shaky! 

Meetings of the "Real Women"...Thursday afternoons at the Community Center!

A Note from Willow Pond

"I met an elderly lady named Hattie last week, in a walker, with severe rheumatoid arthritus. I asked her if I could pray for her hand that she mentioned always shakes. Yesterday she hollered at me. She said,'I've been trying to find you and I couldn't remember your name. You prayed for my hand and I went home and wrote my son a whole letter.' She said she couldn't remember the last time she did anything like that. It's been years. She usually writes her first name and then has to wait a while til her hand stops shaking just to write her last name. She said she reread the letter and cried and reread the letter and cried again. She was so excited. Praise the Lord!"

--Suzanne Wallace

Kids Club Party!

"Celebration of Jesus" Christmas Party 2009

The Great Linda Wilson

The heart of this vision is the people behind the doors at C-grade apartment communities like Willow Pond. That is the reason Behind Every Door exists. We want to know the stories, build friendships, meet needs, serve, bless, and be a part of winning friends to Jesus and the unshakable Kingdom of God. We have already met many new friends--including lots of kids. Many of the stories are difficult and the circumstances messy...often heartbreaking. And to think that we can bring help and hope...it is a high privilege and huge honor.

I was reminded of the heart of this vision a few weeks ago when I got a call that Linda Wilson went home to Heaven. Linda was a resident at the apartments in California where I worked. She was very much alone in life. She came to a Wednesday sharing and prayer meeting one week and announced she had 6 months to live. She cried and we cried. And then I watched as many in the room that night proceeded to care for her, drive her to appointments and love her over the next couple years. I think of the "stretcher-bearers" who brought the sick man to Jesus through the roof. That is what they were.
 
Linda came into my office one day a few weeks after she told us the bad news. She wanted to be baptized. And so me and a pastor friend began to teach her about baptism...and then we baptized her in our backyard several weeks later. Over 80 friends, many from the apartments, joined us for a great celebration. I've never seen so much meat on one grill! I shared that night the words of a friend of mine...who said that one day, for all of us, " our body will fall off ." Well, Linda's body fell off a few weeks back. She was surrounded by community...friends, prayer and song.

That is the heart of the vision. People like Linda Wilson . And Jesus can do amazing things--like turn historically dark apartments filled with many isolated individuals...into a community. Linda was alone in a studio apartment. And then a group of friends at a random C-grade apartment community got to be a small part of her coming to Jesus. And now she stands face-to-face with Love Himself. Good news indeed. 

--Dean Wilson

The "Real Men" of Willow Pond

Our meeting of the "Real Men" of Willow Pond yesterday centered on girls. Listening over the last few months, I decided this topic was appropriate and timely.

I began the discussion by saying, "Boys, someday you are going to think a girl is cute." The giggling suggested they had experienced this already.

I outlined the "best" strategy and discussed each of the below 4 steps:

1.Friendship

2.Courtship

3.Marriage

4.Procreation (this was a new word for them...however "sex" was certainly not a new word)

I made a drawing of a family tree...outlining what it could be for each of them. I would bet dollars to donuts that not one of the boys had seen, or even considered, a family tree. I started at the top with Deldrick, one of the boys. I said, "Deldrick's new nickname is 'Deldrick the Patriarch .'" I placed him and his wife at the top of the new family tree...with 4 kids of their own. Then those kids have kids (and it is now "Deldrick the Grandfather")...and those kids have kids. And now we have great-grandson named Deldrick the fourth (Deldrick IV!). They got a huge kick out of this.

The conversation broadened to "what is courtship?," "how do you know the girl is the one?"...and on and on....they asked lots of questions!

At one point I asked, "Raise your hand if you know who invented sex?" The young boy to my right answered, " George Washington ?" And he was really serious. Hey...he is the "father" of our country!

We discussed God creating sex and "real men" being the young men who are responsible and make the right decisions....and that the above #1 through #4 is the best plan. It was a wonderful time together. I have a feeling the conversation will continue for many weeks and months ahead.

--Dean Wilson

Thank you!

Thank you to Weir's Furniture and Lone Star Furnishings for your generous donation of furniture for the Community Center!

Fun in the Willow Pond Community Center!

Vision

Speaking to a large crowd about helping those in need, Jesus said, ”I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.”

Many of the “least” in a city or community can be found behind the doors of “C-grade” apartments. Our vision is to serve, bless and encourage these friends through the ownership of apartment communities. 

How can we serve, bless and encourage?

• Create a Community Center Tutoring, help with homework, arts and crafts, discussion groups, prayer meetings, games, books, toys, reading, special movies, and more
• Grounds Improvement Landscaping and Trash Pick-Up
• Computer Learning Centers
• Regular Events and Activities Whether it is a Summer BBQ or a pool party, a Kids Club Movie Night or a special outing, these events build friendships and foster a sense of community
• Sharing & Prayer Meetings
• Summer Sports Camps
• Vacation Bible School
• Mentoring Program This program allows for caring adults to mentor young boys and girls, providing instruction and guidance within the context of unconditional love and acceptance
• Career/Job Counseling
• Special Classes We can provide educational opportunities in nutrition, parenting, marriage, finances and languages
• Ella's Place Ella's Place is a resource center for parents with a brain-injured/special needs child. These parents need our love and support and Ella's Place can be a place to meet them
• Health & Nutrition Center A room devoted to promoting wellness, which can include work-out equipment, educational information on nutrition and so forth
• A Community Library
• Counseling Services We can partner with professional counselors or non-profit organizations to bring counseling and support to residents
• Clothing Closet and Toy Chest We can receive donations of clothes and toys to bless and encourage the residents
• Art & Music Lessons. We can provide affordable piano lessons, art classes and other educational activities
• Tutoring
• Holiday Parties and Activities Valentine's Day, Easter, Independence Day, Fall Festival, Thanksgiving and Christmas
• Free Holiday Family Pictures
• Cooking Classes in the Community Center

As we care for our residents in these ways and others, we have seen crime decrease, occupancy increase with lower turnover, and a sense of “community” developed. 

Our mission is to win friends to the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ after practically serving and blessing them. And, our hope is that entire neighborhoods and communities are transformed as a result.

Behind Every Door has a 10-year vision for neighborhood transformation in major cities across America!