A modern day parable
In Devotionals - Posted on Thu 27th August 2009 by Pastor Lorenz
Joe finished putting the case of hot sauce on the shelf and looked around at his newly stocked deli. He sighed, shrugged his shoulders, and folded the cardboard for recycling. "The old saying was true," he thought to himself. "There is nothing as permanent as change." He probably would never have come up with the idea himself. He had opened the Italian deli after immigrating to the States from Italy. Almost all his neighbors had been Italian so for years he had had a steady stream of customers. In those days he couldn't keep enough salami, pepperoni, or mozzarella in stock. And his specially imported meats--Pancetta, Prosciutto di Parma, Calabrese, and his cheeses--Ricotta, Romano, and Parmesan--people had come from all over town to buy these Italian foods, but not any more. Through the years the town had changed. Years ago his customers were named "Tony and Luisa". Now they were named "Jose and Mercedes".
Joe thought that he would go out of business until he went to visit his friend Vinny who also had an Italian deli in the next town. Joe couldn't believe his eyes when he pulled up outside of Vinny's deli. At first he thought that Vinny had sold the place because it had a new sign that said: "International Grocery", but then, through the window, he saw Vinny at the counter.
"Ciao," Joe said to Vinny as he entered the store." "Hola!" Vinny said with a huge grin. "How do you like it?"
Joe looked around. The familiar rows of jars and cans of imported Italian sauces and other tomato products had been replaced with products made by Goya and La Victoria. The shelves that had once been full of pasta and macaroni had been replaced with rice, corn meal, dried beans, and tortillas.
"Business is better than ever Joe. How's your deli doing?"
Vinny's question made Joe think. He didn't want to give up the business. It was his life, but as he watched customer after customer enter Vinny's grocery and make substantial purchases, Joe realized that if he changed the kinds of products in his deli, he could have the same kind of success.
Over the next few weeks Joe began to ask his Latino and Asian customers what kind of products they would like. Then, when he began to make the first changes in his store a few of his long-time Italian customers complained. Joe, more than any of them, was unhappy with the change. He longed for the old days when Tony and Luisa, Frankie and Gina were his regular customers. But he had to face reality. Today his customers were named Garcia or Gonzales or they were Asians with names like Choi or Kim. Joe didn't even know what some of the items on his shelves were, but what he did know was that business was better then ever.
The great challenge for our church is to know how best to reach the people who live around the church. God has our church in Teaneck for a reason, and we must do everything we can to help these new immigrants find God and enter into the life of the local church.
Asking God for wisdom to reach the new immigrants,
Pastor Steve
June, 2008
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