by Donna Duffy

I lived overseas for the better part of 18 years and returned to the States with my family in 2002. We had lived and served in ministry and education in the wonderful city of Nazareth, located in the Galilee region of Israel.  Though I had lived in other cities in Israel--Haifa, Jerusalem, Netanya and Beersheva, Nazareth was our hometown.  Our  kids were born there and we lived in the same house surrounded by the very best of neighbors for 12 years.  Then one day, we decided, after having been guests in that country for many years, it was time to take our little family and head back to our home country.

As a native to Pennsylvania, I always thought we'd just move there.  We married in Philadelphia and though Ben was from California and we visited there, this East Coast girl needed to not only be close to family but also to the changing seasons.

So with a little help from our then 12 year old daughter, Laura, we ventured into Delaware.  We had to drive through each time we went to look at houses in PA. We were staying with my parents in Salisbury, MD and wanted to find something further north so decided it was worth checking out and I'm so glad we did.  We found a wonderful home in New Castle and enjoyed living there for over a decade.

I have to chuckle when I recall the reaction of those who would hear our story of living overseas and returning home to America and then would say, "Why Delaware and Why New Castle?"

So as we come to closer to our 12th anniversary of stateside life, I got thinking about "Why Delaware?" and here are a just few things that I came up with...

1. Everyone knows everyone
2. From Wilmington, you can be to the beach or the mountains in 2 hours
3. Tax Free Shopping
4. A wonderful place to do business
5. Gorgeous parks and surroundings
6. Creativity, community, collaboration
7. My mother was born here and now here I am
8. Our business is located in downtown Wilmington and I love coming into the city everyday
9. Lifelong relationships have been formed here
10. I finally feel at home in my own country because of the people in this amazing, little, wonderful state--which is really the treasure of Delaware

I recall a time when I was in the third grade, I went to the library and took out this little book and it was all about the state of Delaware.  Little did I know then that it was just a breadcrumb on the trail that would finally lead me home.

by Donna Duffy

 I came to the neighborhood in Nazareth with barely enough Arabic to form a sentence. The children were my constant teachers as they filled my head with useful Arabic phrases and helped me understand my two year old daughter who was becoming more fluent in the language than I was.

Community—do we know what that means anymore? You know--a place where neighbors know one another and look out for one another; a place where you can always find an open door, listening ear, and shoulder to cry on.

That was my life as an American in Nazareth. Yes, the city where Jesus grew up--the least endearing thing to me about the city to be honest--because when you say Nazareth—I think “home”. It was the place I knew as home for twelve years. It was the only home my kids had known till we moved back to the States. It was the place where neighbors shared everything from a cup of sugar to life’s tragedies. And though I was a foreigner, they made a place for me at their tables and in their hearts.

It was the first night in our house if I recall correctly. I didn’t yet really know the neighbors. The front door had two locks and two keys. I latched them both twice and went off to bed. In the morning, I heard a knock at the door. It was one of the neighborhood women coming to see if we had all that we needed. I unlatched the top lock twice and the bottom one twice as she stood at the door and waited for me to open it. When I finally did she said “Were you afraid from us?” From that day to my last in that house, I would go to bed locking one lock one time. There was nothing to fear. They would not let anything happen to us on their watch. We belonged to them and them to us.

In essence, they taught me how to be a good neighbor. They looked after me in times of war, during holidays, and each time I had a new baby. They were my mother, my sisters, and my aunties. I was far from home and they were my family.

As the years passed, and my Arabic became more fluent, my coffee complimented and my house full of neighbors, I knew there would always be a place for me there. No matter how many years passed, I could always go home. And they have welcomed me back as I have been blessed and filled by their hospitality.

“Ask about the neighbor, before you ask about the house”—so the Arabic saying goes. “Better is a close neighbor than a far away brother,” says the Proverb. “How will we ever find neighbors like you?” they asked as we prepared to leave. "How will we ever find neighbors like you," I ask back—you who loved me, looked after me, taught me how to live in your culture and speak your language?

For your kindness toward me and my family, for your attempt to understand my country and its government, for your endless cups of coffee and conversation—I will ever be grateful.

Because of you I returned to America a foreigner--no more acclimated to my own country than an immigrant. Crossing back over was harder than ever leaving in the first place. And all these years later, though it may be somewhat easier than when we first left, I am ruined for this country as I long for “my family back home” in Nazareth.

How grateful I am that I will always have a place at their tables and more importantly, in their hearts—they will surely always have a place in mine.

1. Listen their problems and challenges--during calls, over coffee, in their emails prospects and clients are sharing the struggles and their challenges. Are we really listening?  Listening is one of the best ways we can show the love to those we serve.

2. Offer solutions without being salesy. Is there a book that you’re reading?  Is there a tool or tip that have that can help them?  Your products and services can be the answer to their needs. So look for ways to come alongside, solve their problems, answer their questions and be of service.

3. Connect them to others who can use their services.  Refer them to others by making online introductions, having coffee together, inviting them to events,  and talking up their products and services.  They will appreciate it.

4. Tell them how and show them grateful you are for them.  Whether you say it to them directly, send a card or gift, give them testimonials and shout outs, and speak highly of them to others--the important thing is, show them the LOVE!

5. Over deliver by going above and beyond!  Too often the busyness of life causes us to just do the minimum to get by.  But how do you stay top of mind for others?  By doing more than they thought you would.  Sending a card just because or an article you found that reminded you of them and will give them new resources.  Recommending books, offering free resources and added value to your products and services let your clients know how much you value their business.
 
Suggested Reading:  Love Is the Killer App by Tim sanders