Hey Everyone!
Many people have been so kind to check in and ask how my job transition to Inasmuch has been going. I thought I would give you all an update here. If you will indulge me for a little, I’m going to speak from the heart about this new journey. I also don’t want to overlook giving some practical updates on our Local Partners.
Drop in to see my new office at The Lodge!
The past five months on Inasmuch staff have been an uphill climb in all of the hardest and best ways. In the first month when people would ask how I was doing, I would say “it feels like I’m climbing Mount Everest” with the work load and weight from poverty-related relief and recovery. Right around that time, I hear about and began to read the book The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life. There has been a steep learning curve moving from my 8 years on staff at Veritas. Inasmuch demands a different level of fortitude, stability, and organizational leadership from me which has been humbling at every turn.
Craig Morrison, the Executive Director of Inasmuch, also warned me before coming on staff about a different level of Spiritual Warfare. I was slightly skeptical having had been in Ministry for so long, but he was absolutely right. I quickly got into the practice of listening to and physically mimicking the act of putting on and taking off the Armor of God (Ephesians 6: 10-20) in my car. Working with people who have been living in and are living in extreme poverty has been equally uplifting, humbling, and frustrating.
There is a real spiritual maturity that comes when someone deeply knows the meaning of “give us this day or daily bread.” There also is a spiritual sensitivity for those who struggle with mental illness or substance abuse that make Spiritual Beings much more than an intellectual concept. I’ve had some of the most rich and deep bible discussion of my life with the men in the Lodge. I’ve heard prophetic words and seen miracles among the breakfast family members. I am also continually seeing how much I have taken for granted and been given in my life. It is only by God’s grace that I didn’t end up in the same shoes as many of the people who come to Inasmuch.
While I often see and experience the beauty of God’s Kingdom on the Inasmuch campus, there is still so much work to be done. We need to continue to build our the structures and networks to offer real life-building skills and opportunities for the men at The Lodge. We are working on a comprehensive Neighborhood Development Plan so that the area can be safer and less drug-and-crime-ridden.
To return to my two metaphors, it often feels that we are climbing a mountain and fighting a battle at the same time. We climb together as a team, fight the good fight, and then hopefully build a little fortress to hold new ground. It is exhausting and precarious work. Chaos, heartbreak, and disappointment come often, but the work is so meaningful giving up is not an option. I’m in awe of my new co-workers and colleagues who have been in this field much longer than me. They’re teaching me survival tactics.
I could tell countless stories of how the Holy Spirit is moving, but I’ll share just one. Bernard has been in the Lodge for a few months. He is wonderful. He deeply loves the Lord, and has been discipling other men in the Lodge. One day, I wanted to see if he was interested in getting connected with Perspectives, the course that Veritas will be hosting in the Spring. He gave me a funny look, said “hold on” and walked back to his bunk. When he came back, he was holding the Perspectives course book. I asked “where did you get that?!” He said “I found it on a shelf in the Lodge and thought it looked interesting. I’ve been reading it.” I laughed, took a picture, and send it to Brad Criswell. Earlier that week we’d had a conversation about how we could get Inasmuch connected to Perspectives, and God was one step ahead of us. Brad has connected with Bernard, and he’s now part of a Prayer Team in preparation for the course.
I wanted to be as honest with you all as possible about this work. If after reading all of this, you’re interested in climbing this mountain and fighting this good fight, please call or text me at 412.414.9227. We have plenty of volunteer opportunities to get you connected with (see the update on our Local Partners for more details.) If your life doesn’t have the bandwidth to volunteer, but you’d still like to meaningfully contribute, consider becoming an Inasmuch Monthly Sustainer. Our goal is to have at least 1,000 Sustainers by the end of 2025 of at least $21/month or more.
Best and Blessings,
Emily Ruth Perry