This is America...Part 1...July 3rd

To view a complete set of photos go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/windyjo36/July3rd#

The invitation was printed on orange paper with black ink and it looked more like a Halloween invitation than a Block Party invitation. It was on the evening before the 4th of July. We didn't know if the party would happen because it looked like it was going to storm. The invitation promised free food, music, and contests for the whole family and so my Husband, his Sister, our friend Steve and I went so we could get to know our neighbors and hopefully keep dry.

We almost went to the wrong house.

There was a huge crowd in a yard as we rounded the corner. Cars were parked for half a block and in the side yard of a home. Several grills, maybe five, were belching scented smoke as we walked toward the group. Kids were bouncing in an inflated jumping castle. There was a mass of about 50 or 60 people all crowded around portable picnic tables spread out on their driveway and on their lawn. People were filling plates and talking and laughing.

A singer with a microphone and a Karaoke machine was singing a participation song to a group of small children jumping up or sitting down to phrases sung by the DJ. Everyone looked like they were having fun.We couldn't understand a thing they were saying or singing because it was all in Spanish and none of us spoke Spanish.

As we approached the front of the house I saw a familiar face on the other side of the street. It was one of the people attending the party we were invited to. There, in the front yard across the way, were maybe a dozen kids and young adults and one grill. That was our block party and we were the senior citizen portion of it.

We made our way up the street and across the lawn to my Avon Lady's house. She was our hostess and her name is Lauren. She doesn't sell Avon anymore, but on several occasions I have seen a small sign in her driveway for Bible study. This was the right Block Party. Soon after we arrived maybe two dozen more people drifted in. Some we already knew and some we had never met, We made our way around the group introducing ourselves and greeting people as they arrived.

A familiar silver gray Van pulled into the driveway and out came Marc, one of our nearby neighbors and one of my favorite people. He has played in various bands over the years, one in particular, the Karma Kings, a classic rock and roll band. I designed the logo for that band many years ago and it remains, to this day, as one of the most fun projects I've ever done as a graphic artist. Marc is an artist too, a singer/song writer, and a very well rounded guy. He is a naturalized citizen who immigrated form Belgium, legally, to America about 20 years ago. He speaks four languages, including Spanish, so he would have understood what was going on at the other party.

He started unpacking amplifiers and guitars and cables and cords so he could set up the Music portion of the party. He stopped briefly to introduce me to his new lady friend Pam and another gentleman then he said needed extension cords so my Husband, Joe ,went back to our house to get some. Too bad it was power strips Marc needed. He had to go back to his own house and get them. It was risky to set up his equipment because it was threatening rain all evening but he and Shawn, our host, set up their equipment and they started to play.

There was a cross section of America in that yard. White people, back people and brown people, each coming from their own heritage and each interacting with one another as a family of God's children. Young and old and in between. It was truly an enjoyable evening. Kids skateboarded on the drive way and played catch under the large trees. The evening was warm but not too warm. People were having a terrific time. We ate hot dogs and hamburgers with chips and drank koolaid and soda pop.

The music was enjoyable, the food was good and the company was excellent. I had an encounter with a lightening bug and a young man as the bug did acrobats on the boy's hands as he tried to make the little insect light up. He then released the little creature and we watched it fly away. It was truly one of God's little miracles, not just seeing the bug light up but making a new friend too.

As darkness fell on the evening a huge clap of thunder interrupted the music. Shawn and Marc stopped playing. Shawn came to the microphone said a prayer that God would hold the rain back until the party was over. Then he put on some funky music and started to dance. Popping I believe it's called. He's a very good dancer and everyone enjoyed his performance.

Then he went to the microphone and gave his testimony of Salvation. After he finished one person at a time came to the microphone to give their personal testimony of being saved by Jesus Christ. It was a beautiful ending to a uniquely American evening. It was inspiring to hear the stories of people who had found peace in God's plan for their lives. It changed them. It saved them.

It was unexpected. It was inspiring. It was a truly beautiful moment. It was a reminder of one of the most basic freedoms contained in our Constitution. The freedom of religion. The freedom to worship even in small, unexpected ways.

The testimony ended with an invitation to get to know Jesus Christ and God's plan for our lives. One young man took up that challenge. He gave his life to Christ. This is America at it's best. Not every one will approve of that statement or the action taking place at this block party but that's the beauty of America.

We can believe in whatever religion we want and practice that belief or not. We have a choice. This Freedom is unique in the world. It sets us apart from every other nation on earth. We must cherish that phenomenon. It could be taken from us at any moment. God Bless America.

P.S. it never rained until hours after the party. God does answer prayer.

P.P.S. There was another invitation at the block party:

International Dance Contest in Kansas City
THERE KAN B ONLY ONE
July 17,18 & 19

Friday, July 17th 3pm-10pm
5045 Parallel Pwky - Kansas City, KS $3 Cover Charge

Saturday, July 18th DOOR OPEN at 2pm
5045 Parallel Pwky - Kansas City, KS
Judging begins at 4pm

Sunday, 19th DOOR OPEN at 4pm
finals begin at 6pm
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS + $20 PER PERSON

POPPING - POPULA LOCKIN - TORNADO PUNKIN - ANGEL

PRE-REGISTRATION:WEBSITE TO BE POSTED: therekanbonlyone.com
E-Mail: therekanbonly1@live.com Phone: 913.952.5956