Monday, August 23, 2010

Only in America!

I went with our civil engineer last week to submit our grading and drainage plan for review by the City of Phoenix planning department. We also submitted what is called an "inventory and salvage" plan which is also required in order to move forward. This is basically a summary of all plants, cactus, or trees on our property, each one listed by species, and then a blueprint of the entire property showing where each of them is on the property. Of course, an officially certified landscape architect must do this, and it isn't cheap.

But we did submit them for review and paid almost $1,700.00 in fees for them to be reviewed! Unbelievable. By the time we get this 2 and a half acres ready to just plant vegetables, we will have spent $50,000.00 And this doesn't include the cost of the water hook-up which was donated by the water utility company. Try explaining this whole process and how much it cost to refugees that are just learning what life is like in this great country. Only in America!!!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Something ongoing, something new

I just came from a meeting with the city councilwoman that represents the district where our church is located. She seemed very interested and very positive about the benefit the community garden will be to our local neighborhood and of course, to the refugees. Even though I'm not sure how much she can really help with the mound of regulations the City of Phoenix is requiring us to meet, (all of which take money that we don't have,)I think it was valuable and strategic to meet with her. Please pray that she will find favor with the city planning department and that they would give us some grace for such a worthwhile cause, especially one that is completely non-profit and charity oriented.

I'm now a part of the founding board of directors for a new entity here in Phoenix called the Phoenix Refugee Connection. This is a Christian organization that will endeavor to inform local churches about the needs of the refugee community and help them mobilize to meet that need. We want them to see that God has made it possible for them to fulfill the great commission to make disciples of all nations, right here in their own communities.