Relation, Relation, Relation

I started the day off this morning at 6am at the Plainfield, IN Aquatic and Rec Center.  It is a beautiful brand spankin new facility.  I am used to swimming in what I call "The Dungeon."  It is the basement of the YMCA in Carbondale, PA.  Word on the street is their new facility will be open within the month(I will believe it when I see it).  Anyway because the facility I swim in is sub-par I almost never have to share a lane with people.  Today was different, even though I was one of the first people in the building all three lanes were occupied, the outside lanes were occupied by seniors moving slowly and the center lane had a younger dude.  Another guy came up beside me and when the guy in the center lane came to our end we agreed to circle swim in the center lane.  I was a bit faster than both guys so I passed them a few times, but each time they graciously let me pass.  At the end of our swim I had a nice conversation with the one guy named Mark who turned out to be training for his first sprint Triathlon as well.  Very friendly guy.
There is a cliche saying in Real Estate-"Location, Location, Location" and it is so true.  Depending on where you live, the value of your home either has more or less value.  During my Missions Training one fo the big things they have stressed over and over is a different 'mantra' Relation, relation, relation.  Many times the stated purpose of a missions trip is to build, renovate, or do a service.  Sometimes the team for one reason or another is derailed in their project.  They become frustrated and feel like the trip was a failure.  Not so.  The relationships that a short term missions team builds with the native is more important than any building.
It is very obvious if we look at the example of Jesus.  Jesus never talked about building a church, school, or orphanage.  Though building can be used to love others, Jesus' biggest initiative was building relationships.  It was the relationships that he invested in that helped build the church after he ascended to heaven.
I enjo meeting new people, even though there is some apprehension.  I may never see that guy Mark again.  But I'll remember him because we talked about common interest and acknowledged each others humanity.  I think we need to be doing that more.  Just seizing opportunities to build and foster relationships with anyone we come in contact with.  No matter how short or long the conversation, sometimes all people need is to be acknowledged to know they are still alive and more so-they are loved.