Yoda
Thank you for sticking with us! I wish that I had more opportunities to write updates but the good news is that I am just trying to keep up with all of the progress that The Field’s Edge is making! The last time we posted it was right around the turn of the year and SO much has happened. Here is a quick list:
The zone change on our land was passed unanimously in both of our City Council meetings followed by applause from the crowd and commendation from the Council.
Reached 87% of our Phase I funding goal
Lifted our 4th neighbor off the streets into an RV as a temporary measure while the village is being built
Went to therapy animal training for our llamas
Helped a neighbor get connected to job skills training and on track for a new career
Began the first phase of our Glean Up program-a workforce first initiative giving currently homeless neighbors the opportunity to earn a dignified income cleaning up litter around our city
Coordinated the annual Point In Time homeless count
Attended a 3-day Symposium at Community First Village
Watched the film about our mission, Finding Home in Boomtown, on Basin PBS (twice!)
There are so many more details I could go into so if you want to hear any more about what we are up to please shoot us an email at info@thefieldsedge.org
None of this would have been accomplished without our board, staff, volunteers, and most of all the grace of God. That said, it hasn’t all been rainbows and unicorns. There have been frustrating and overwhelming days. Now that we have four neighbors in our program, we have been reminded that our mission is about relationship. The work to restore dignity and build relationships is not for the faint of heart. Our homeless friends have experienced a catastrophic loss of connection to family and relationships and our success lies in how we are able to surround them with healthy and loving relationships. It is in the context of relationship that people heal, grow, and thrive. Restored relationships remove the dust and debris of life that have concealed the God-given human dignity of our friends living on the street.
Oftentimes it feels like an uphill battle; like we take one step forward and 20 steps back. But each time I begin to get discouraged, I think on the magnitude of Christ’s mercy for me. His patience, grace, and forgiveness for me give me the strength to keep stumbling down the road trying to love Him with all my heart and love my neighbor as myself.
We press on and are so excited for the day that we can open the doors of the village and say, “Welcome home!” Unfortunately, this week we will be holding a memorial service for another one of our friends, Olan “Yoda” Boatwright, who did not live to see that glorious day. It is important that we recognize that his life had value. That he was someone’s son, someone’s brother, a man created in the image of God. We’ll also remember the others we have lost over the years: Lois, Smokey, Teddy, Holly, Johnny, Little Bear, and so many more. We want to remind our struggling friends that they are loved and that they matter to us.
So would you pray for us as we mourn with our friends and as we press onward toward breaking ground on our village this summer? Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We invite you partner with us in giving, and look for upcoming volunteer opportunities! We could not do this without you!