Dear Mamie,

….It seems the norm in apartment houses for people to just exchange casual hellos but not to get to really know one another.

After reading in Restoration a meaningful article by Catherine Doherty about how people should make more of an effort to show genuine interest in one another, I decided to do something about the situation in the building in which I live.

I gave an open house. I kept it simple—juices, crackers and cheese, pretzels, cookies, muffins, grapes, Wheat Thins. One guest brought mixed nuts and another brought cut up watermelon. I laid it all out on my coffee table.

People arrived at 2 and stayed until 7. The Lord was definitely in charge because it wound up being exactly the right mix of people, and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time.

Afterwards some of them showed one another their apartments and exchanged phone numbers. So I think some new friendships are definitely being formed.

My next-door neighbors have said they’ll host the next one and try to invite all the same people as I had here.

All were thrilled at having gotten to know one another better.

Frances Gordon
friend of staff worker Mamie Legris

Dear MH Windsor,

I was touched by the article about your house in the May-June Restoration.

One of my trades these days is truck driving, so I rumble through Windsor often. Now, rather than having negative thoughts as I approach that city because of the customary wait time at the border, I’ll have positive ones knowing that the Spirit is aglow somewhere in the "windy town." I will use the wait time to pray for you and your service to Jesus.

Currently, I am enjoying listening to the audio version of Poustinia as I truck across North America. My truck cab is a wonderful poustinia-in-the-marketplace.

Many years ago, my mother introduced my wandering soul to Madonna House. I spent three months there and still have fond memories. I am ever grateful for that time of spiritual formation.

Two years ago, my one daughter found refuge at MH Ghana after her "adventure" in Africa. What a God-send to her and to her distressed parents worrying about her back here in Canada!

Thanks for your prayers and presence in Windsor. I’ll wave as I drive by.

Dave,
new friend of MH Windsor