At CLDI, we believe in building more than just structures—we’re building foundations of faith, hope, and transformation on the South Side of Billings.
A Foundation of Faith
As part of our longstanding tradition at CLDI, we mark the building and development of every property on the South Side with two sacred acts: burying a Bible near the foundation and inscribing scriptures on the exposed beams before the sheetrock is hung. This practice is more than symbolic—it is a way we invite the presence of God into the very framework of each home. We extend this opportunity to our community of supporters, and it has become a deeply meaningful moment of prayer and reflection.
With every act dedicated to the Lord, we endeavor to bring Shalom—a deep and complete peace, wholeness, with nothing missing and nothing broken, into the lives of those in our community. Through these sacred spaces, we pray for restorative transformation: families reunited, hope rekindled, and lives rebuilt. As we write and pray over these verses, we dream of the healing and redemption that will take place within these walls.
The Origins of Our Tradition
This meaningful tradition began in 2012 when CLDI started burying Bibles in the foundations of every construction project. Eric Basye, CLDI’s Executive Director at that time, adopted this practice, and it has continued ever since.
The tradition of writing scriptures on the walls began soon after. What started as a small gathering of donors blessing a building has grown into an invitation for the CLDI community to participate in covering our buildings with God’s Word and prayers of hope.
The Hannah House Experience
Recently at House A of the Hannah House project, women gathered to bury a Bible in the foundation and pray over the future of those who will one day live within its walls. It’s a beautiful reminder of why we build: not just for shelter, but for restoration, healing, and new beginnings.
As construction progresses, something deeply meaningful continues to happen inside the Hannah House. The tradition of writing prayers and scripture on the walls ensures these homes are covered in blessings before they’re finished.
A Community Joined in Prayer
What makes this tradition particularly special is how it connects our entire community. Donors, volunteers, staff, and even future residents come together to participate in this sacred act.
I love the personal connection that’s forged as we walk alongside donors through our unfinished spaces. As we move from room to room, Sharpies in hand, I watch as people pause thoughtfully before writing their blessings and prayers, and I get to hear people share what they want to see come to fruition in these spaces. We at CLDI have our own ideas and expectations, but hearing the unique perspectives and prayers of our supporters enriches the vision.
Why We Build This Way
At CLDI, we believe in a holistic approach to community development. Our brick-and-mortar projects are physical manifestations of our deeper mission: to bring Shalom to the South Side of Billings.
As we build buildings, we also build relationships. As we renovate structures, we create opportunities for lives to be renovated as well. The scriptures written on beams and the Bibles buried in foundations are our way of dedicating these spaces to God’s purposes—inviting His presence into every corner of the work we do.
We believe these sacred acts align with our mission of “rebuilding lives, restoring families, and re-neighboring communities” through the transformative power of the Gospel. Just as Isaiah 58:12 says, “You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew… restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.”
