Elizabeth Boyd
October 1, 2008
Home
It was a full summer, and it's hard to believe that it's over! I recently had some time to reflect and think about the fall as our summer staff transitioned out and the majority of The Boston Project staff went on vacation for a week. (Not me though! I held down the fort.) First, I absolutely cannot believe it's been a year since I moved back to Dorchester! Many on our staff are heading into seasons of transition, but I feel like I am just getting my feet wet in a place that is feeling more and more like home.
Fall Plans
This fall is going to be a busy one, with work and travel. I will be traveling to Tampa, FL to see a good friend get married and to the Bay Area in California to spend some time with my dad and my brother Chris. At work, I have a few new special projects. One new project, which I am particularly excited about due to its city and urban planning focus, will involve working with the community and the city to quickly turn a vacant piece of land into a beautified open and green space, such as a park or a community garden. I am exploring my interest in the field of city planning, so this is right up my alley!
Another exciting opportunity I have this fall is the possibility of traveling to Miami in October for the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) Conference, whose theme this year is Seeking the Peace of the City. This conference will be a four day event where Christians who are working in cities all over the US come together to learn about and work towards 'shalom' for urban communities. This vision of shalom- where neighborhoods have secure streets, healthy relationships, effective and affirming schools, clean air, a thriving local economy, where our children and elderly are valued, and where the church is a vibrant beacon of hope connects with my heart deeply, and I really hope to go. I have been asked to help a friend of mine, who is presenting a workshop on organizing communities of faith for environmental justice. The cost of sending me to this conference will be approximately $500. Would you consider a special gift to help me attend this conference in October?
I look forward to a great fall and thank you so much for your partnership that allows me to be a part of this ministry!
Prayer:
1)Pray for me as I start new projects at The Boston Project and explore different career interests.
2)Pray for my apartment, and all the exciting transitions for my roommates (including marriage!)
3)Pray for all my travels this fall, for safety and for encouraging times with friends and family.
July 18, 2008
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope"
~Isaiah 42:1-4
Do not be discouraged
This spring, I have been reading through Isaiah and am riding the roller coaster of emotions throughout the book. Recently, I read Isaiah 42 and was struck by this image of what it means to be a follower of God. A little over a year ago I made the decision to move to Dorchester, and it's now been an amazing, but tough nine months since I've arrived. I'm starting to realize the commitment it takes to do ministry, especially in areas where there is great injustice. It can be tiring, and it can seem hopeless. I've known for years that this is the type of work that I want to spend my life doing- but this spring I have started to think through the cost. As God chastises His people for turning from His ways and for doing little more than praising him with their lips, I've had to ask myself "Am I in this for the long haul?" It takes a greater commitment than just my words. It's easy to say that I want to commit my life to the causes of the poor; it's harder to live out. I was reminded when reading this passage not to falter in this commitment and also that Christ is at work in our neighborhood. This can be hard to remember at times, as I spend my days behind the scenes of the ministry, and not on the front lines. I may not be the one in the streets, crying out on behalf of my friends and neighbors, but I will be faithful to the call of justice that God has put upon my life.
Summer Fun
Don't worry... I don't spend all my time being serious! I love summer in the city, and now that it's beautiful out again, I have an extra skip in my step. Our Executive Director recently shared a passage that he sees being lived out in our neighborhood, and it made my heart leap as I realized that it hit upon the many reasons that I love this community. Zechariah 8:4-5 reads, "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.'" I love being on the street, seeing our neighborhood youth having fun, with their parents and grandparents sitting out on their front porches, enjoying the day. It really is a beautiful image, and yet another reason why I love it here!
Pray for me!!
-I am moving! I have made a decision to move across the street from our ministry house with a group of young women. This is big commitment as it's a financial investment in our community. Pray for the transition as I move onto the street where I work. Please also pray that I meet my financial support goal as I take on this additional expense. I am stepping out in faith!
- Pray for our summer staff, and that the course of their lives would be radically changed as they experience God's heart for the city.
-Pray for a safe summer for our youth and our staff.
July 6, 2008
This past week has been one of the most exhausting weeks that I've had in a while, but it's been a great one none the less.
On Tuesday, I had the chance to help staff our Higher Ground trip, which was a three day excursion to the woods of New Hampshire where we had the chance to take nine of our youth hiking, camping and canoing for the first time. It was pretty awesome, and I was so thankful that I got to go! We hiked Mount Cardigan, which is right outside the White Mountains and has an elevation of about 3,000 feet. Not too bad, but for these youth it was like hiking Mt. Everest! I was so proud of them, and they all had such a great attitude about it (except for the bugs... they hate bugs!). We also canoed 11 miles down the Saco River, and camped for an evening on the side of the river. It was neat to watch the youth bond as a team, and share in this experience together.
I got back Thursday evening, and the next day was the Fourth of July! I went downtown to watch the fireworks, and it was awesome because where we were at was directly in front of the barge where they shoot them off of. It was probably the best view I've ever had for the fireworks, which I've seen countless times. It was also nice to just be with my Boston Project family :)
And yesterday was probably the most tiring experience yet... I MOVED! I am now living at 12 Elmhurst Street, right across from The Boston Project ministry house. It's exciting to be on the street, where so much of our ministry happens, and to have my first rented apartment. I feel like I'm stepping out in faith by taking this leap, since it seems a little crazy to leave free housing... but my heart really is on this street, and it's amazing to be able to live here. It'll be fun setting up everything, and I can't wait to have people over and get the chance to be hospitable.
So yeah... I'm exhausted! But it's that good type of exhaustion. The satisfying type. Thank you God for all the great things that have been happening :)
May 28, 2008
This Sunday, our first two summer staff arrive! I am so excited that it's finally summer here in Dorchester, and while walking around outside today, I was so thankful to be back here for my second summer at BP. My first summer was in 2006, where I served as the "Operations Coordinator", a position that existed for one summer only. Haha. I guess that's my life, being a guinea pig for jobs. Anyway, I did a lot of random things for the SMP and then worked with Paul in the office, but it was an intense job because while I didn't work the 6am-1am-ish hours that SMP staff work, I still worked well over 40 hours a week and was up most nights until the wee hours of the night. This will be a very different summer :)
While walking up to the square today, I stopped at Taste of Eden (my favorite little Jamaican hole in the wall-so yummy!) for a beef patty, and listened to some great Latin American music (as my friend Micah once said--"Reggaeton, the beat of my life!") blaring from the passing cars, felt the wonderful warm sun and just felt so thankful to be here. Heading into this season is bringing back a lot of the reasons that I fell in love with Dorchester-the people, the culture, summer in the city.
I am looking forward to what is ahead for the next few months. I'll keep you updated as things unfold, and I head into summer #2!
May 2, 2008
"Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more." Isaiah 65:18-19
Overseas Adventure!
Hiking up the Andes Mountains in the small farmer town of Girón and coming upon the most amazing cascada (waterfall) that I have ever seen was a reminder of the beauty of God's creation. I just returned from a 10 day trip to the country of Ecuador, where I spent some time exploring the cities of Guayaquil and Cuenca, relaxing on the beach town of Montañita, and visiting my good friend Meg. It was wonderful to catch up with my friend, and to take a break from the busyness of life in Boston to experience this adventure. While the country was beautiful, and everyone I met was so nice, I was also confronted with poverty unlike any I have ever seen. This trip was an important event for me in that I was finally able to see firsthand international poverty. I am excited because my trip coincided with the Lazarus at the Gates Bible study I am a part of, which focuses on living simply so that we can give generously to help address international poverty. Isaiah 65:18-25 has been an influential passage in this study, where Isaiah paints a picture of shalom for the people of Jerusalem. This passage was one that was close to my heart as I traveled through Ecuador, knowing that many in that beautiful country were suffering from injustice. I hold onto the promise for those overseas, and those in my own urban neighborhood that one day the sound of weeping and crying will be heard in it no more as God provides for them. I am thankful that I was able to travel, and now have been bit by the traveling bug! I look forward to more adventures in the future.
Lots of Wisdom
Back home, I helped organize the first ever Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) Boston Training Institute, held March 28-29. Amidst running around to keep things flowing smoothly, I picked up on bits of wisdom from our speakers and other attendees of the conference. Mary Nelson, who has been working in Chicago for over 40 years, continually reminded us that "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope," quoting Martin Luther King Jr. As someone who has pessimistic tendencies, I appreciated the reminder that sometimes the greatest asset in our community can be the hope that we have. Furthermore, being around people who have been doing this work for many years inspired me to prayerfully consider what my role may be in community development in Boston long-term. Stay tuned...
March 18, 2008
I've realized that in the next month, I have a lot of exciting things coming up! I get to go home for Easter ('home' being all of fourty minutes away... but still, exciting nonetheless). Then... the real craziness begins!
Next weekend is the CCDA Institute, which I am extremely excited about. Sometimes when I have helped plan big events like this, I get so worn out and tired of thinking about it, that when the event actually gets here I am just glad to see it come and go. However, with this conference, I am still just as excited to have it come as I was when I first heard about it! Friday's class, which will be taught by Mary Nelson from Chicago is on Listening to the Community, and she'll be talking about asset-based development. I feel like I'm back in my Human Development Days at Cornell :) On Friday, Bob Lupton (whose most recent book we just read as a staff...) will talk about Empowerment of the Community. I'm really excited to see him because he has some really interesting ideas on gentrification, and how it can be a good thing if justice is part of the equation. I'm really interested in that, especially since a lot of the 'social justice' circles that I've run in have been pretty anti-gentrification, so, the idea that it can be really beneficial to the poor if done well is pretty new to me, and at a gut level, seems right... but we'll have to see.
THEEEEN, I get to go see the Celtics for free! Go Boston sports, right?! On the topic of sports... it's March Madness time, and guess who made the brackets? Cornell basketball. That's pretty much possibly the only time I will ever see that, so I'm going to soak it in.
THEEEEEN, I get to go to Ecuador! I'm leaving April 3rd and will be gone for 10 days. I'm traveling to Cuenca (and Guyaquil, and other places as we see fit...) to visit a good friend of mine from DC who is living down there. I'm really excited to see her, but also just to spend time in South America. I've only ever been to very modern western Europe, and I'm looking forward to seeing a new place and a new culture that is really unlike my own, especially in light of what we've been learning in our Lazarus at the Gates bible study. A few weeks ago, during our fair trade night, we focused on the impact of the banana trade in Ecuador on the people, and while I don't know if I will get a chance to really see that impact or visit a banana coop or anything like that, I do look forward to putting a face to things I learn about and care about.
When I get back (April 13th), it'll only be a month and a half until summer staff arrive, which is pretty nuts. It's hard to believe that while I'm complaining about being cold right now... I'll soon be c complaining about being too hot. But I'm ready!!!!
March 10, 2008
Life has been a little stressful here at BP... but... now I'm having a very proud moment!
A little less than week ago I was given the task of making a website for a conference at the end of the month that we are co-hosting. It's a Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) Training Institute, which I am sooo excited for! Anyway, I needed to learn how to make a website and actually make one in about four days, and today is the launching of it!!
It's not that good, but, hey, I learned how to do it in about 2.2 seconds :)
To see the site--go here www.ccdaboston.org
February 28, 2008
Calling
This past August marked the beginning of my next life chapter. After a year living and working as a direct-services case manager in DC, I packed up my bags and moved 'home' to Dorchester, the largest and most diverse neighborhood of Boston. I had first come to Dorchester the summer after graduation to take what I thought would just be a summer job working with The Boston Project Ministries. However, a desire to return to Dorchester began in the fall of 2006. God confirmed that I was to return back to Boston to begin this next chapter, and I rejoined The Boston Project Ministries staff in the newly created position of Executive Assistant. The Boston Project Ministries is a Christian community development organization that engages actively in service to people and organizations in underserved areas of Boston. I have now been back for five months, and I know without a doubt this is where I am supposed to be.
Transition
Life is very full with work, but also with fellowship. I live with a wonderful group of women, who are not only my co-workers, but also my dear friends and sisters. We have a lot of fun together, and have taken on quite a few apartment renovation projects in the last few months, including a complete bathroom makeover. I never thought I would know so much about home makeovers! I look forward to weekly community dinners with everyone in the ministry and their families, where laughter is contagious. I have also joined a bible study with the local church that I attend that is focused on God's call to social justice. I am thankful for all the new friendships I have made over the past five months, as well as those that I came home to, and for the ways that God is using many of you to teach me what it means to love selflessly. Pray for me as I continue to establish myself in this neighborhood and become a good neighbor.
Also pray for me as I have recently taken on the adventure of co-leading a bible study focused on what it means to practice living simply for the sake of giving generously.How to support me?One question I've been asked numerous times since I've moved here is "How can we help?" I am so thankful for the interest that you, my friends and family, have taken in this ministry. My three most common answers are: Pray, volunteer and give! Please pray for my coworkers and I as we seek God's guidance in all that we do, including our programming. We offer a variety of different volunteer opportunities which you can find on our website. Last, please pray for me as well as I begin to raise support so I can continue to serve with this ministry. My monthly financial need is $500 a month, a goal of $6,000 for the year. I have never raised missionary support for more than a summer, so this is a huge step for me, but I am stepping out in faith, relying on God's provision. Would you prayerfully consider joining me as I work with this ministry either financially, with prayer, or both? Please let me know how I can be praying for you as well. Email me at
with any prayer requests you might have, or just to say hello!
What's Happening in 2008?
I want to take a moment to share with you some goals for the Executive Office in 2008 so that you can be informed
as you pray.
• Explore better ways to care for our growing staff team
• Draft several new employee policy and procedure manuals
• Intensive development of the Board of Directors
• Increase the overall revenue of the ministry by 30%
• Lay solid foundations for future staff community houses
Please Join Me In Prayer
• Pray for me on my journey to simplicity. Pray for God to transform me in how I approach him, and that I would internally simplify my life, so that I can see external results.
• Pray for me as I'll be traveling to Ecuador in the beginning of April to visit a friend.
• Pray for my transition into my new church, Mosaic Boston, and for growth in relationships
there.
January 22, 2008
So, normally I LOVE the Oscars, and getting to make predictions about which movies and actors/actresses will win which category... but this year, I'm not really that excited. I suppose the writers strike still has me down (I really miss The Office, but thankfully LOST will be returning for a brief stint next week), but I think it has more to do with the fact that I really haven't seen any of the movies nominated. Movies were pretty much cut from my budget, so, the only one of the Best Picture nominees that I've seen is Juno, which while funny... shouldn't have been nominated for Best Picture of the Year.
My favorite movie of this year wasn't nominated for anything, but one lovely category. Best Original Song. My favorite movie this year (which I know my options are limited... but whatever) was Once. If you haven't seen it, I recommend you do. Especially if you are a fan of independent folk-rock. The music is incredibly beautiful and moving, and I'm glad that it's being recognized. While I'm not very talented musically, I love and appreciate music that really hits you at the core. My dad and I when I was little used to call it "goosebump" music. When you listen to a song, and it's just so gorgeous that you get goosebumps. That's my favorite :) So I recommend renting "Once" if you haven't seen it yet... or at least listening to the soundtrack.
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