There is a beautiful park right near our home that truly comes alive every evening. People arrive with badminton rackets, basketballs and bikes. Some people stroll around the big lake, letting the stresses of the day melt away. Then there is the kite spot where, depending on the season, families bring their colorful kites. You can hear children sprinting across the grass, shrieking with laughter as the wind catches their kites and they play with their parents.
The best days at the park are Sabbaths and Sundays. That is when the bird club shows up. People bring huge, gorgeous birds—blue-and-yellow macaws, parrots and cockatiels—and set them on stands. The owners chat while the birds take off, circle once or twice overhead, then return five or ten minutes later. The whole visit lasts about an hour, and we absolutely love it.
Last year, we started visiting on random Sabbath afternoons—no real plan, just craving fresh air and hoping to meet people. And we did. We met two young ladies who regularly bring their cockatiel. His name is Omelette. He is a tiny thing, clearly their spoiled baby. We have run into each other so many times now, and we always stop to talk. One Sabbath, when my family was visiting, and we were about to close the Sabbath with a prayer and a few songs, my youngest daughter was determined to invite the ladies to join us. They said yes!
Even when we went on furlough and missed several months, they still remembered us when we returned. That meant more to me than I expected.
So now we are making the park—and the bird club—our special Sabbath afternoon activity and ministry outreach. No, I am not getting a bird (though I was tempted)—we already have a ministry dog, thank you very much. But it looks like we are becoming regulars there: picnic cooler, Tupperware full of food, supper on the grass . . . just sitting beside them, watching the birds and chatting. Maybe we will even start something small—an English conversation club or a playdate for the children. My friend joked we could call it “Learning English with God,” and honestly, I kind of love it. No pressure, no preaching—just being open from the start about who we are.
Because here is the thing: If we stay inside, we miss being involved with the people. But if we show up—really show up—they find us. The bird club proves it every weekend. Why can’t we?
So please pray for the park. Pray for those girls, for little Omelette and pray for us too—that we keep showing up, keep listening and keep loving.
Thank you for your constant support and prayers!
