The article in the New York Times has been published. It's amazing to me how much time the writer spent here in Phoenix and how long the interviews were and then how short the article actually was. Check it out yourself:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/09/us/09refugees.html
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
I'm back in the saddle again.....
Yes, we're still "in process" with the community garden. Requirements from the city have increased the price substantially, but we're pressing on. We even have two fundraiser in California that will benefit our project. The hair salon my daughter Katie works at, (Ciao Bella in Rancho Bernardo,) will be holding a Cut-A-Thon for us on Oct. 10. And also on that day, Mary, the mother-in-law of my oldest daughter Jody, has set up fundraisers for us in 4 different Shakey's pizza restaurants in Southern California, (she manages the one in Temecula.) Helen and I will be going over for the fundraisers, along with Peter, a 20 year old refugee from Burma who is of the Chin people.
We're also doing a fundraiser with the Phoenix Suns NBA team on Sunday evening, Dec. 5, when they play the Washington Wizards. If things go as they look like they might, we could actually begin the grading within the next few weeks and have the land and the refugees ready to plant by February 1.
Believe it or not, I was interviewed by a New York times reporter that is doing an in-depth story on people from Arizona that help immigrants. The guy interviewed the governor, the mayor, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and a few others, and I was asked to be part of the story from the "faith" community perpsective. It'll be interesting to see if he actually uses anything I spoke to him, and if he does, if it will be used in the context in which I spoke it. The article is due out some time in the next week. When I get the info, I'll post the link here.
Much more going on, but this is enough for now. I'm back in the saddle.
We're also doing a fundraiser with the Phoenix Suns NBA team on Sunday evening, Dec. 5, when they play the Washington Wizards. If things go as they look like they might, we could actually begin the grading within the next few weeks and have the land and the refugees ready to plant by February 1.
Believe it or not, I was interviewed by a New York times reporter that is doing an in-depth story on people from Arizona that help immigrants. The guy interviewed the governor, the mayor, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and a few others, and I was asked to be part of the story from the "faith" community perpsective. It'll be interesting to see if he actually uses anything I spoke to him, and if he does, if it will be used in the context in which I spoke it. The article is due out some time in the next week. When I get the info, I'll post the link here.
Much more going on, but this is enough for now. I'm back in the saddle.
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!!!
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.
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.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
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