Las Vegas Family Church' Birthday BBQ at the Compton's

On Saturday evening, May 12th, Andy & Lydia Compton held the 4th monthly Birthday BBQ in their back yard. Heavenly Parent provided great weather--- a comfortable 87 degrees with clear, beautiful skies--- and the guests brought high spirits to the event!

Sixteen adult guests, 12 children, ages from 8 months to 15 years and one LVFC member enjoyed a combination of the traditional American hot dogs and hamburgers, chips and sodas and some delicious potluck additions, brought by the guests. Two “serving tables”, were filled with food and a huge ice chest held drinks.

Following Andy’s blessing over the meal, three “eating tables” were filled with talking and laughing throughout the meal. Many of the guests knew each other from the previous BBQs and were easily able to embrace the newcomers in their conversations. The public introductions Andy requested were almost unnecessary!

Returning guests took responsibility for key aspects of the event this time. Andy had help on the grill from one of our new friends in the neighborhood and Lydia had help in the kitchen from his wife! Also, another neighbor, together with one LVFC member, took responsibility for child care.

After dinner a cake and ice cream celebration of six birthdays and one anniversary was followed by a group photo.

Continuing with the theme of making our neighborhood a better place for our families, the adults moved indoors to talk more seriously, while the children played joyfully outside. It was inspiring to hear very few outbursts of tears or disagreement from them.

Before Andy shared the meaning and purpose of the BBQs, each person was given two minutes to share something about themselves. One new guest couple---Keesha & Floyd--- had met Andy in the park a few days earlier. They were so excited to meet him because, as new residents in the area they had just prayed that morning to find a way to meet their neighbors. They told him they felt their meeting each other was an answer to that prayer and it was “from God”!

When Keesha spoke at the BBQ, she shared that her 8- month old daughter was named “Amazing” because she had tried many years to conceive a child and now at the age of forty she had finally given birth to one!

Andy then talked briefly about the importance of mothers in making good families and showed a short video of a job interview for the position of Mother. The guests were moved and laughed along with the video.

Following the video, Andy testified to True Parents as the Compton’s inspiration for holding the BBQs and stressed the importance of the family as the school of love and the importance of love in making good families.

Lydia then introduced some of the Compton’s ongoing weekly meetings and neighborhood projects. Clipboards were passed around and eight new guests signed to join “conversation meetings” and six to join the “activities and projects”.

Because Lydia is the retired wife of an active church leader she is able to hold Conversation Meetings are on Tuesday and Wednesday and a Prayer Meeting on Thursday each week. She can also oversee several local projects.

Included among the projects are: setting up a neighborhood tag sale, joining a neighborhood website called NextdoorCrony.com, helping set up a neighborhood watch and volunteering for a local food distribution program called the “Farmers Market”.

Andy introduced and promoted fishing/sight-seeing trips that he will lead on nearby Lake Mead--- possible because one LVFC member has refurbished one of True Father’s boats---what an exciting way to build bonds of heart within the neighborhood!

The next BBQ is planned for June 9th. Hopes are high for these ongoing neighborhood programs.