The Waiting Game

OK folks, here it is March 26th and I’m anxious to get into our new house in Lawrence and get this thing moving. Our closing was supposed to be tomorrow, but may not be happening until later in the week. For those of you who don’t know why in the world Austin and I are moving into the poorest town in New England (and no- it’s not because it’s the only place we can afford to buy- although that is indeed true)…here’s the reason and the story behind it. Once upon a time around about April of 2005, Rebecca Fitton leant Austin a book called, “Money, Possessions, and Eternity”. Austin would read this book for hours upon end while I studied the finer points of Neurological Physical Therapy at home and at Panera.

Meanwhile, Austin’s best friend Spencer and his fiancé were living in Pittsburgh, PA and telling us of the situation there with the poor living in the inner city run down areas and how abandoned houses in the city were selling for as low as $5000. Austin, with his new focus on using his earthly possessions to affect eternity came up with the idea that he wanted to move to Pittsburg, buy up several city blocks, build several nice subdivisions and create a really cool community for the poor.

Although I thought this sounded cool, I was hesitant to leave our beloved New England where we have become very close to a lot of people, love our church, and where Austin has a great job. I think it was the same friends, Kevin and Rebecca who said to us, “What about Lawrence?”

“Hmm, what about Lawrence?” we thought to ourselves. And then it hit us, “why of course Lawrence, why didn’t we think of this before?” Lawrence is the perfect place for us to move, buy and make an intentional Christian community house, and get involved in the community.

Here’s some info about the community: it has a rich industrial history and has undergone a large demographic shift since the 1970’s. It now consists of a largely Latino immigrant population (over 60% of the population). It is a densely populated urban community with over 72,000 people living within seven square miles. It is the 23rd poorest town in the United States and the poorest in all of New England. 84% of all Lawrence residents are living in poverty; 37% in dire poverty. Affordable housing is almost non-existent in the city and throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Over 400 families are on the list for affordable housing with an average waiting period of six years.


Our goals:
1. To create an intentional Christian community living together in one house, sharing our time and possessions and learning and growing from each other
2. To create an opportunity for those who need to pay off debts, save up for a home ownership, or just get back on their feet to live with very few expenses and mobilize their resources as needed.
3. To create an environment from which we go forth to impact the community of Lawrence.
4. Create an awareness of those outside Lawrence of the needs and situations of those who live in poverty.
5. To have an awesome time building deep relationships

The Plan (subject to change)
1. Find and buy a house in Lawrence. Requirements are as follows: the house must be large enough to hold 3-4 families (about 3000 sq ft), the house must be in a neighborhood where it is easy to meet neighbors and build relationships, the house must not be in the nicer/more suburban parts of Lawrence nor in the really dangerous parts: but in between. Desirables (but not requirements) are as follows: the house could be in an area where stores/shops are within walking distance and within walking distance (about 1 mile) of the train station, and a location near the central town common (a large park) would also be nice.
2. Purchase the house through NACA, an awesome home buying and advocacy program. See www.naca.com for details.
3. Renovate the house: turn into a single family with a common kitchen, dining, and living room, and study, make several bedrooms and bathrooms for living quarters.
4. Have Spencer and Stephanie move in in May of 2006
5. Once renovations are mostly done, invite other friends and acquaintances in need to live in the house and try out this community thing
6. When room opens up, continue to invite those in need of a place to stay to live with us for short periods of time (up to a year).

Well that's the deal, folks...stay tuned as it progresses...

-Missy and Austin