Fargo man’s story of hope started with Williston oil boom
James Boyd lived in a one bedroom apartment in California with his wife, two young sons and his mother. Money was tight and jobs were scarce, but to help them get by Boyd took on several odd jobs and during his free time he searched for better opportunities. It was at the local library where he found out about other places in the country that had better jobs, including Williston, North Dakota. Williston’s unemployment rate was so low, North Dakota seemed like the place to go.
Boyd set off for Williston alone, planning to send any income he could make back to his family in California. He wasn’t alone though; thousands of others like him set off for the new oil boom territory and like him, they quickly realized, housing was hard to find. But used to getting by, Boyd met a man from Detroit. They lived together in a tent downtown, and he found a job filling propane tanks.
“I filled them just as fast as I could,” Boyd explained. “It seemed like the line of people never ended.”
Temporary Set Back
Just when things were looking up, unfinished personal business in California called him back. He returned to the west coast with the hope that his work experience in North Dakota would qualify him for a better job back home.
His hopes would quickly be dashed, however, as not much had changed with the job market since he was there the last time. Put simply, it was extremely difficult for him to land a decent job. Again he found himself at the library in search of a steady income and reading about all of the opportunities North Dakota had to offer. Having already experienced the challenges of living in Williston, this time he headed to another spot in search of North Dakota success.
A More Permanent Move: Fargo
In March 2014, Boyd arrived in Fargo, again alone, with hope in his heart and a hunger to keep his family back in California fed, clothed and housed.
When he was younger, Boyd often traveled around the country and remembered that The Salvation Army was a safe haven, with people always willing to help others during their time of need. He found that was true in Fargo too. With nowhere to go and no family to take him in, he immediately found a place to stay at a local shelter. While he lived in a shelter, he ate his meals at the Fargo Salvation Army and started to attend church services as well.
He found a job on a temporary basis and worked as many hours as the boss would allow him. It didn’t take long for Boyd to make a name for himself as a dependable and hard worker. It also didn’t take long for that temporary job to turn permanent, and most weeks it even included overtime.
He would send as much money as he could to his family. But because his time at the local shelter was coming to an end, he also had to save for a place for himself. During prayer time at church, he mentioned his need to find housing. Those at The Salvation Army worship center prayed, while others in social services, found a contact for an apartment that might meet his needs. Not even a month passed and Boyd found himself walking through the door of his new apartment.
Since he traveled lightly from California with the clothes on his back and a few other essentials, he needed furniture, dishes, linens, pots and pans, etc. When he mentioned these needs during a Bible study class, he immediately found help and in no time Boyd’s apartment was furnished.
Giving back
Despite the fact that he now has two jobs and works about 75 hours a week, he credits his North Dakota success to God and never misses church on Sunday. His family remains in California, although he hopes that will change soon. Still, it may take some time to convince his wife to move. She’s a bit reluctant to embrace the winter cold of North Dakota after hearing the story about a woman who froze to death in Minnesota.
While he waits to reunite with his family, Boyd is sensitive toward others in need. Now that his life is more stable, he makes every effort to spread to others the generosity he’s received. On a Sunday afternoon in Walmart, he saw a woman with a suitcase who looked distressed. When he inquired about her problem, she told him she was having trouble with her partner. She wanted to go home to her parents, but needed a place to stay until she could take a bus rid the following day. With the help of a store manager, Boyd helped her call the Fargo Salvation Army.
He continues to think ahead and make plans for the future and intends to take welding classes so he can get a better paying job. While he awaits to reunite with his family, he holds close the quote from Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God.”