A home base for Tp was put on my heart a few years ago, and it has come to fruition. God has given us some property.
All are welcome to visit us in Idlewild, Mi (aka Black Eden). Drop by for a quick visit or stay awhile. We are in the northwestern region of the lower peninsula in the Manistee Forest area. Here, you can slow down and reflect.
We have electric-green springs, balmy summers, mesmerizing falls, and stunning yet long & frigid winters. We’re away from big cities but close enough. We’re about 30 minutes from Big Rapids, 1.5 hours from Grand Rapids, and an hour and 20 minutes from Traverse City.
The small plot is a work in progress. We’re adding a few tiny shelters for the healing sanctuary and guests. We’re also working on the fellowship home, where people can meet for meals and other gatherings. The lot comes with certain freedoms, such as long-term camping and other alternative housing options.
The rural block contains a few abandoned shelters, occupied homes, and camping lots. Among various faces of blight and God’s nature, we believe it is the perfect home base for Tp.
transportation
A pickup is possible late March – Oct. We do pickups within a 30-mile radius. While you’re here, we can take you around to some places.
A curb-side bus is also available that can get you around the local area for a $1.
An AWD or 4×4 will be quite helpful for exploring, especially in the winter.
accommodations
Overnight guests can bring a tent to camp in. Our lot is best suited for tents, not RVs. You can also stay in one of our guest rooms if one is available when you arrive.
We offer dry toilets, water, heat, and power. Cell phone signals are strong enough here, so you should be able to use your phone or hotspot. There are libraries nearby that offer free Wi-Fi.
There’s an abundance of campgrounds (for tents or RVs), dispersed camping opportunities, cabins for rent, and some indie motels nearby as well.
sustenance
You can join me for meals or do your own thing. We eat wild foods, and we also get food from local, small farms that are good stewards of the land. My family eats minimalist yet nutrient-rich meals and feast occasionally. A meal might be sardines & eggs or a bowl of gelatin porridge (gelatin & milk), topped with clarified butter and raw honey. We lean animal-based (approx 70%), staples being animal fat, raw dairy, eggs, and fish. We also eat nose-to-tail pork and ruminant meat from trusted sources.
In the summer and fall, we may eat some fresh fruit, vegetables, and fungi. Other seasons, (except for spring morels) we eat fermented, buried, or dried earth food.
Sometimes, you may come at a time of fasting, and I will not join you for meals, though meals will still be offered.
We’ll do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions. Just let us know about this on the form.
Drinking water comes from a local, safe spring.
Expectations
Guests might assist with certain tasks, though you’ll have plenty of time to yourself if you plan to stay a few days.
We expect guests to join us for a weekly worship meeting if they are here during that time. We would also like visitors to join us for other gatherings. If you don’t want to speak to anyone and want to isolate yourself the whole time, this is not the place for you.
We don’t expect payment. You can give back by helping out in various ways. And if you feel led to give a financial gift, put it in the onsite donation box. This fund is used for ministry purposes.
We don’t expect guests to stay longer than a week.
IMPORTANT!
Before you book a visit, read some of our writings, especially our collective worship zine, and check out our Beliefs page so that you can get an idea of how we live and other important things you should know. We expect visitors to be respectful of our way of life and beliefs.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A VISIT