How big is your neighborhood? (Luke 10:25-37)

This post is dedicated to the memory of Mister Rogers, neighbor to all.

Welcome neighbor! It sure is a beautiful day. What's that boys and girls? You want to know why I change my shoes? That is an interesting question boys and girls. I'm not quite sure myself.

Today, I want to talk to you about insects. Insects are a kind of animal. Have you ever seen ants outside on the playground? How about a fly in your house buzzing around? Those are insects. There are many types of insects, but all of them have six legs and three main body parts: a head, a thorax and an abdomen.  neighbors Would you like to hear a song about insects? I thought so . . .

To the tune of "Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood":
When a picnic you are enjoying,
Ants can really be annoying.
They try to eat up all your food,
And put you in a real bad mood.

Yes, an ant is an insect in your neighborhood,
in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood,
An ant is an insect in your neighborhood
It's nipping at your feet or in your rotting meat
That's why we all need bug spray!

Some insects crawl on the ground,
While others fly all around.
Many like to spread disease,
Like mosquitos, ticks and fleas.

Yes, a mosquito is an insect in your neighborhood,
in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood,
A mosquito is an insect in your neighborhood,
It is not a harmless fly, if from malaria you die,
So get an insect net today!

Insects are icky, aren't they neighbors? Did that last verse disturb you? I have a friend, Jenny, who was bitten by a mosquito on a trip she took to help some neighbors in another country. Later, while she was pregnant, she found the mosquito gave her Malaria. Malaria is a disease that makes people very sick. Maralia can be very dangerous. 

Here in America, doctors made my friend Jenny feel better and her baby was fine, but in other countries 3,000 boys and girls die of Malaria every day. Jenny found out that many of these deaths could be prevented with insect nets. She decided to raise money to help neighbors that she didn't even know on the other side of the world to be protected from mosquitoes carrying Malaria. Don't you think Jenny is a good neighbor? I thought you would.

If you would like to know more about helping the cause, you can go to her Nothing But Nets fundraising site called Jacob's Ladder.

There will be a garage sale on May 14 to benefit Nothing But Nets. Contact me for details.