Meet the Neighbors: The Krueger Family
Meet Steve and Vicki Krueger,
They are a retired couple that live direct across the breezeway from us. They moved in about 6 months ago so they could be closer to their family. How much closer? One of their daughters lives one building over, and the other daughter lives a 6-minute drive away! Their family living in another building in the community is a traditional nuclear family of a husband, wife, and 2 daughters. It is this family that attends Shandon Baptist regularly and even takes some community kids along with them (praise God!).
Vicki and Steve wanted to move closer to their family as Steve’s health has been declining. He goes to dialysis almost daily and he can get discouraged in his struggle to maintain his health. Their hope has been that being close to his family will give him strength and encouragement to keep going every day. He can be seen regularly walking around the outer perimeter of the community with a traditional walking stick.
When they moved in we of course struck up a friendly conversation as new neighbors and gave them a gift of some tasty cookies. Vicki has a Puerto Rican background and is a ray of sunshine to those she meets. Their porch and entry way are usually decorated with pretty seasonal Christian messages. Of course we mentioned that I am a minister, to which they responded very excitedly. We invited them to church but they responded that they go to church with a friend (a UMC church) mainly because Vicki is able to sing in the choir there. Of course we were just happy that they were engaging a community but wished they would consider coming to a more Bible centered church. Well, the day after Easter Adelaide and Vicki struck up a porch-side conversation about what we did on Easter. Adelaide shared that I preached the sunrise service, and Vicki shared that if she had known then she would have come to be a part of the worship, and to let her know next time there is an opportunity like that. This past week we invited them to Beulah’s Wednesday night Bible study, and she said she was house sitting but would try to come next week!
Our relationship has been defined by being loving and intentional neighbors. Oh boy, if it isn’t easy and tempting to wait in the house or in the car if I see someone coming in or out of their home. I rationalize it as convenience, because who wants to be navigating a sidewalk when two families are going different directions?
No, it isn’t convenience, it’s hiding.
So much of being a Christian witness and influence begins with a willingness to be a little uncomfortable. Talking to someone that looks or acts differently. Living in a housing situation that is not your ‘dream home.’ Spending time sharing your life with someone with different cultural values.
What is that which we should value the most? The Gospel.
Every other aspect of culture and preference must fall to the wayside. They are certainly nice things to have. However, if we prioritize _______ (comfort, housing, money, food, culture, you fill in the blank) over the Gospel, then we have made that into an idol.
And so we do go out of our way to connect with Vicki, Steve, and the other the neighbors we live closest to. While we love our personal space, we recognize the importance of building relationships with those who live closest to us.
Who are those people that live close to you that you try to avoid? Sitting in the car a few more minutes while they get in their car so you don’t have to talk to them over the hedge? We (I) shy away from these because I see them every day, and oh man is that personal. Rather than shying away, let us let the light of Christ shine in us daily to these neighbors.
How can I pray for you this week? Who do you need to share the love of Jesus with daily? Let me know!
Here are ways you can pray for Vicki and Steve:
- Pray that they would desire God’s Word (and thus come to Beulah)
- Pray that their spiritual life would strengthen as their health declines
- Pray that we would also be able to build a relationship with their kids and grandkids that live in the community
