Hi neighbour! Those neighbours who bent backwards to help out a neighbour or two last week can identify with the deep sense of satisfaction I experienced when I gave 76-year-old Geoffrey a package containing food items last Friday. The facial and verbal expressions of thankfulness from this lonely neighbour struggling to survive were absolutely gratifying. If he had paid me a dime or a million dollars for those items, it would not have been the same. Truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive.

I make the point again that many persons remain poor and needy because they are not givers. Those who practise giving will always have enough to share with others. The golden rule says: Give and it shall be given unto you. "Then how come I always give and I don't receive anything?" some neighbours might ask? Quite likely they are not giving what is needed to the one who truly needs; the rule properly applied always works. Give it a try.

Miss G from Clarendon was concerned about her mother who was not well, alone at home and needed a cup of soup. Being several miles away, Miss G called her neighbour and asked her to run to the shop next door and purchase a 'cup soup' for her mother. When she got home later that evening, her neighbour had not purchased the soup. Instead, she prepared a pot of soup not only for her mother, but for the entire family.

Two days later, the blessings this neighbour received could not be purchased. So we understand that the path to blessing is not stinginess or begging, it's actually giving!

While it is always good to go the extra mile in helping others, we should not encourage laziness. There are some neighbours who always want the proverbial horse and saddle and refuse to lift a finger to get it. One of our neighbours, Mazie (not her real name), offered a sewing machine to another neighbour who requested one through this column and got the shock of her life. When she told the neighbour where to collect the machine (about a mile away), she was told the woman couldn't make it and was asked if "yuh couldn't just drop it off for me?"

Moving right along, Mazie heard of another neighbour from a district miles away who needed the machine. To cut a long story short, this second neighbour came by bus to collect the machine. Not only did she receive the machine, she also received fabric.

The Lord is using you mightily. Love your neighbour as yourself and you will never run out of good neighbours.

The author, Silton Townsend, is best known as Maas Gussie from the local sitcom 'Lime Tree Lane'.

Help a neighbour

1. Neighbour, Manchester: mother of four, was being abused by her partner. Had to move out of the matrimonial home. Seeking neighbours' assistance to complete a little house that she is trying to build.

2. Ms Grey: Unemployed, with ailing mother and father to take care of. Asking any kind neighbour to assist with a stove. Wishes to generate an income through baking.

3. Ms Allen, St Thomas: Single mother of three (eight, 10 and 12 years old), including a mentally retarded son, is in desperate need of help. She needs school shoes, clothing and books Doing her best, but needs help.

4. Antoinette, St Catherine: Asking neighbours to donate a used computer to her neighbour's son to help with his assignments. He is a bright and dedicated young man who is doing very well in school.

5. Neighbour, St Mary: Was shot in both legs and lost her daughter in the same incident. Now unable to walk normally. Needs a wheelchair to move around and also asking for church clothing.

6. Euphema, St Catherine: Needs assistance in acquiring adult diapers for her husband who is ill.

7. Rosalee, Clarendon: Seeking assistance for an elderly widow in her community who has no support and is in need of food. Rosalee is doing what she can, but it is not enough.

8. Vivine, St Andrew: Single mother of five in desperate need of a mattress for her children.

9. Danielle, St Andrew: Asking neighbours to donate a dining table on which herself and her sister may eat and study.

10. Ms Reynolds: Asking persons to assist her neighbour - single mother of four - with pit stones, needed to construct a bathroom area. The conditions are unsanitary.

To help, please call 906-3167, 884-3866 or 373-7745 or send email to neighbourtoo@yahoo.com and we will make the link. Those who desire to make financial donations to this project may make deposits to Acct # 351 044 276 at the National Commercial Bank. Bank routing #: JNCBJMKX.

Thank you neighbour

1. Hortense, St Mary: For giving wheelchair to 97-year-old neighbour, St Elizabeth.

2. Rose Brown, St Catherine: Donated a bed, dresser, night table, clothing, curtains to a needy neighbour.

3. Suzette, St Catherine: Offering clothing to young woman.

4. Evelyn: Giving a car seat to a neighbour in need.

5. Mr Cargill, Canada: Offering to assist neighbour with poultry rearing.

6. Ms Bailey, St Mary: Offering boys' and girls' clothing.

7. Sister Johnson, St Andrew: Offering accommodation to a Christian woman who would like to live with a family of two.

8. Mrs Ramsay, St Catherine: Gave diapers to a neighbour.

9. Karen, St Andrew: Offered a stove to Nakeisha, who is in need of one for her school project.

10. Pastor Morgan, St Catherine: Donated a high chair for a child and clothing for another.

11. Missionary Scott, St Catherine: For giving financial assistance, shoes and clothing to three of her neighbours in need.