As I was despairing that my old neighborhood was being neglected by businesses and forgotten by the world, I made a wonderful discovery – Taza Coffee 'n Creme . I am encouraged. The neighborhood can come back because these folks are offering a place, a hangout.

I had been getting a Nehemiah complex, but it looks like there are some Nehemiahs already here – and some Josephs!

I've been walking around looking at empty buildings that once buzzed with neighbohood commerce, a park where Curly Neal of the Harlem Globetortters played basketball, A library that has kept community alive and where I learned to love books, a school that has survived, reinvented itself, and thrived, and neighborhoods that have continued to house and nurture people. It is the empty stores that bug me. I wonder why they are empty. There was such a village here.

Why do people drive outside their neighborhoods to do business?

Taza is making a difference, Ben and Mary, Avian, and Jackie welcomed me, engaged me in conversation, and shared their vision which is a wonderful encouragement to what we are doing in Fresno at 4141 Ministries.

I can't do anything about my hometown, but it is good to know people are. This place is busy and you have to work hard to find it! It is the same way, almost with Joseph's Java Junction and Caryl's Cottage. But clearly, for all, once found, folks keep comin g back.

I am encouraged and inspired – not just for Westover Hills, but more so, for 4141 N. Fresno Street and our neighborhood as we live out our 21st century expression of Genesis 41:41, the commission to BLESS our communities. My walks are solidifying my vision for where we are called and my understanding of the larger mission when we export our influence and develop a reproducing, organic, life-force in the Kingdom.

I have been inspired by Harold Schultz in many ways with his Starbucks implementation of the 3rd place concept. If anyone is called to bless and build communities and people, empower, and encourage, it is the church. It is Joseph and Nehemiah – rebuilding walls, strengthening infratsructures, setting tables, creating entrepreneurial initiatives, developing leaders, and feeding their communities – thus and through these things, announcing the kingdom of hope, the presence of Jesus, and the possib ility of metanoia (life-change, possibilities, hope).

I have watched lots of folks come in during the last hour as I have been here using the free internet and delicious coffee. All have been warmly greeted. I am renewed to get back the Joseph's Java Junction.

I am supposed to be on vacation, but this is better.