Kindness San Jose Reflections
On Sunday, August 31st, The River ventured out of our safe walls and walked around the streets of San Jose handing out cold drinks, greeting our neighboring with cookies, passing out survival kits to SJSU students, cleaning up Backesto park, and a host of other activities. Before the projects, Brad gave a short message and shared how "the church is at its best when it is outside". And after our time on Sunday, I couldn't agree more. We had an overwhelmingly positive response and I can't wait for us to do it again. Below is my story from the morning. In the weeks ahead, we'll post more to give you a picture of what Kindness San Jose 2008 looked like for us.
There were 10 teams for the kindness projects and I was proud to lead the team that handed out cold drinks at the corner of Taylor and 1st street, right in front of our Ministry Center. I must admit, I asked Tony if I could lead this particular project because I wanted one somewhat lower on the risk spectrum and because I've often waited at the light in front of our building and wondered what people must think of us. SO on Friday, with the help of the K.C, Hannah, and Sarah Yatsko, we put stickers on about 180 drinks that said "Still Thirsty? Visit www.the-river.org". I was particularly excited about our drink options - bottled water, Vitamin water, and apple juice, but also a bit anxious... would people really take the drinks? Would there even be people at the light on a Sunday morning?
As my team gathered on Sunday, I did my best at rallying the troops, reminding them that we are giving these drinks with no strings attached. People seemed ready to just go out there so we made a sign and then headed out. Since there were several of us, Andy, Stephanie, and Molly decided to take half the drinks and stand across the street and so we could tackle people going west on Taylor street. I was still running in and out, looking for tape or something, when Nick introduces me to a woman who was just riding her bike by the Ministry Center. He tells her about us and she seems genuinely interested. She didn't need a cold drink so we gave her a River invitation and off she went. Thus began the first of many quick conversations and pleasantly surprised faces, both from the people who gave and received that morning.
On the 1st Street side, I have vivid memories of Steve, Warren, Hillarie, the Yatsko family, and Jeanine cheering and waving at people driving by... running to cars to give drinks before the light turned green. Steve saw a woman's jaw drop when she drove by and saw the sign offering free drinks. I saw many people who looked very skeptical at first, but who eventually warmed up and rolled down their windows and took a drink. "Why are you doing this?" many people would ask. My response was usually... "because its a hot day and we thought you'd enjoy a cold drink." If they looked intrigued, I'd tell them how we are part of a church that meets at SJSU and offer them a River invitation. Some people said they might check us out, others took the invitation and left, still a bit shocked I think.
On the Taylor street side, there was even more activity. It seemed like Michael was constantly running back and forth between the two sides getting more drinks. People were really snatching up our drinks... women in convertibles, old men riding motorcyles, mothers in mini-vans, even VTA bus drivers! And yes, there even a handful of peole just walking down the street who we stopped and gave a drink... or two... or three. We ran out of drinks in less than a hour... there was no shortage of thirsty people... why did I ever doubt there would be?
In the end, I take away from this experience the reminder that we all benefit from the kindness of a stranger. I know it's cliche, but it does feel better to give than to receive. I had so much fun passing out those drinks and doing it in the company of friends. I think I was more thirsty than anyone we met... thirsty to do something kind for our neighbors here in San Jose. Hopefully other thirsts got quenched that morning as well.
To view photos from Kindness San Jose, please visit The River's Flickr site.