California 1969… We all sensed that there were powerful forces at work in those days. There was a deep hunger for a real life where love and justice would prevail over selfishness and hypocrisy. Our hearts just couldn’t be satisfied with the plastic middle-class existence that was being handed to us on a silver platter. So we resisted, rebelled, and attempted to re-invent ourselves and the world we grew up in. But alas, when the smoke from our hash pipes cleared, and our acid-inspired visions faded away, many of us found ourselves pursuing the same American Dream we once despised. Others of us forged our own little reality away from mainstream society in our own private wilderness. But what about the dream of a Brotherhood of Man? Was it only a fantasy, or some utopian ideal that could never be realized? After all, the word “Utopia” literally means “no place.” Our life together sprang up from the ashes of the movements of the 1960s and the “Jesus Movement” of the early 1970s. We know that the Spirit of Love was looking for a home at that time, since no place was found for Him in the mainstream society or the fallen away Churches of Christianity. We know that He found that home in the hearts of people who not only longed for His life, but who were willing to give everything to obtain “it,” or we should say, “Him.” He has been healing us, and changing us, and redeeming us since then. We are becoming more like the One who created us as we live this common life and face the deep, hurtful ways in us that have always torn people apart. We are experiencing deep forgiveness for these things and finding compassion for others growing in our hearts. This is the life Yahshua the Messiah died to establish on the Earth!

So here we are in the town of Vista in a big house, still under construction, where this new clan of the Twelve Tribes Communities is putting down roots. We’re making the grass green and establishing a home for the lonely. If you come during the week you will experience our everyday life. You might work with us on getting our little garden planted, or fixing the fence the goats are always trying to knock down. For sure, you would end up around the island in our kitchen, which seems to be the social center of our community. The dishes might accumulate, but this is our home, so we jump in and wash them. Love finds a way, when nothing else can. Love is the substance of our life.

If you like to watch TV, you wouldn’t like it here. We hate television and all the things it portrays as having value. We are a new social order. We like to play music and sing together. We like to have deep, meaningful conversations. What could be greater than connecting your heart to another? And we love our children! They make up almost half our number. They are our future. We do not send them out to play, but we have them involved in every aspect of our life. They are growing up and beginning to lead us as a people. We know they will be greater than their parents, and we rejoice!

Although our life has a deep spiritual foundation, you will not find it the least bit mystical. We are all engaged each day in meeting the pressing needs. It could be cooking supper for our household, or milking our goats, working on our construction crew, going to the Farmers’ Markets to make friends and sell Yerba Maté, or making freepapers and invitations at our little print shop in our adobe building in downtown Vista. Right next door to “The Adobe” we plan to build a café soon that will be a “Common Ground” (that’s what we’ll call it) where all could feel welcome to spend some time with us, eating good organic food and talking over a glass of Yerba Maté tea.

Our life is extremely busy, like a beehive, but we take time every morning and evening to come together and sing, share from the Bible, and affirm our covenant with our Creator. On Friday night we have a big celebration with dancing and a festive meal because this evening begins the Sabbath. This is an especially wonderful time that we like to share with those who are getting to know us.

Our doors are always open to visitors. We invite people from all walks of life to come for a visit or to stay. Please bring any of your friends or family. We hope that you could find what your heart has always longed for — a home and a purpose for your life that is greater than any selfish pursuit. Please come!