I look around my neighborhood and am amazed at the opportunities for ministry, which continue to emerge – people moving in and out, neighbors who struggle with health issues, young families, middle-age families, and seniors – and that is before we begin to identify where they may be on their faith walk. The ministry on Trappers Place is one of prayer, availability, and hospitality. Probably the most significant fact is that Connie and I are doing this together, each with our own set of gifts. When I am home, the work at converting my carport to a garage puts me outside in full view of my neighbors (especially those living across the street.) It is very common for either Wally (my neighbor) or me to be over at each others house talking to one another. New opportunities continue to emerge. The neighbor who moved in last summer is married to a husband in the military just deployed to Afghanistan. They have four little children. Connie has been in touch with her about being the go-to person if she has any needs. Plans are in place for meals through Connie and one of the other neighbors. Soon we will be inviting the family over for dinner. I had offered to mow her lawn while her husband is gone, but she decided to hire outside help. One of the other neighbors who came to our Labor Day pine has come many times to Connie’s open studio night and through those gatherings has met and heard other attendees talk about Prince of Peace ministries in such a way that she has shown some interested in going to see what it is all about.

Connie offers studio nights, now known as Creative Haven, named after one neighbor said that our home was such a haven away.

 So whether people are crafters-- and many are not - the main goal is to:

• 1.     create a -safe haven-  that is a real gift to our neighbors

• 2.     offer a time of hospitality and not entertainment

• 3.     connect with neighbors by email

We used a postcard invitation to start with and the RSVP to my email got us the connections we needed to continue to invite our neighbors. The "creating" part has allowed neighbors to be in more parts of the house-- and freely move about-- rather than sitting around in a room in a circle. Now, after a year-  when it is "Open Studio" time- neighbors know they can just walk in and announce their arrival-- how great is that!