March 29, 2022
The theme for this week’s adventure in Detroit would have to be Joyous. It was a wonderous night. We saw a lot of familiar faces who remember us. We made some new friends who were immensely grateful to have crossed our path.
This week, we had a full boat. I decided to adjust our outreach model slightly. Magdalene’s Mission is a team of three on Tuesday nights now. Traci oversees distributing the clothes. This is an immense job. I need Marley to oversee the meal distribution. This is another immense job that it helps to have one person consistently on that station. Then I remain the captain. I watch the helm, and pass out Mag’s Bags, blankets, pepper spray, flashlights, etc. This allows me more time to keep stats.
Tonight, we passed out all 10 men’s bags, all 10 women’s purses. We passed out 33 bags of food. They included desserts, chips, drinks, muffins, and a box of Girl Scout Cookies. 18 of them included my homemade chicken casserole that I am proud to say raved is about. Yes, you really can taste the love! We passed out another 12 blankets, 3 totes full of clothes, several backpacks, and 4 pair of shoes. That was all I could fit inside of my van, until I couldn’t see out the windows.
Our first 2 clients were unexpected. Traci, Marley, and I sat outside the Pegasus Tavern waiting for some homemade Greek food. While we waited for our takeout order, we heard the most beautiful Italian opera music playing loudly for everyone to appreciate. Traci and I noticed a man sitting on the sidewalk with a sign. Well, it’s what we came to Detroit to do, so, Marley packed him a lunch while I grabbed him a Mag Bag and a blanket. Traci walked it over to him. On the way back to the van, an elderly gentleman asked her if she really had food. Marley packed up another bag of warm food and delicious sides. We grabbed him a Mag Bag and a blanket. Traci said he was genuinely surprised, and super delighted with all the unexpected gifts that came his way.
We met up with the Street Outreach Team and Andy’s distribution vehicle, then hit the road. Our first stop was to visit a couple. They are a very sweet pair. He works his own business, but it isn’t enough to hit all the necessities. He gets injured a lot because of his job. We saw his girlfriend and she recognized us right away and came up to deliver big hugs. We got her some food, clean warm shirts, and Mag Bags. Then we were requested at the next stop already! Andy went ahead, but said the person was really hoping to see Magdalene’s Mission. That felt great. She is another adorable, sweet young lady. We were able to get her resupplied with some basic items, a solid meal. She asked for pepper spray, but unfortunately, I am out. As soon as possible, that is at the top of my priority list.
The teams have been travelling together for so long now, we have our own wavelength. There was a homeless man in the middle of the intersection. We all slowed down and pulled over on the nearest side street. One of the other volunteers brought the man over to where we were. We all gave him what of our wares he needed. He informed us that there were a lot more homeless people further back down the road. We told him we would be back. Traci gave him my card and told him to text me if he could find a way, and that we would come back and help him every Tuesday night. He just kept thanking us and telling us how much he appreciated everyone and everything we did to help people. Not just him, but he was also grateful for all the people who we came across and made their nights better, too.
The place we went to next happened to be another stop upon request. There is a hole in the wall. It looks like a door. But all the tiny waifs of women pour out of it. They are just the gentlest, kindest, most gracious, lovely women. They range in age, but the are all just slivers of women. Again, they asked me politely if I had any extra pepper sprays. I told them I was working on it, but they would be the first to know. We assisted another 6 people at that spot. It’s become a new regular place and I like that.
The place we went to next, was some hidden woodsy area to set up a tent for a shelter challenged person. The Street Outreach Team worked together to get it all set up for him. They left him some blankets and a Mag Bag.
As we kept driving, Katie recognized a woman who was walking alone. The caravan pulled over. As we started taking care of her, a few more people came by, and we were able to pass out warm clothes, warm food, and Mags Bags to another 6 people.
Finally, we stopped to see one of my favorite people. I hadn’t seen my widow who sits in a few weeks. She stays near a lot of another people who all live in abandoned cars. While we waited for people to come out, I turned up the volume in the van so Katie, Traci and I could dance on the sidewalk. Andy went to her shelter, and they brought back several more people who were very hungry. We laughed and danced until my girl came out and I danced and laughed with her too. We all hugged and reveled in each other’s presence. It’s a relief when we all make it back together. That means that something is going right in this crazy world. Today is her 3rd Death-aversary since her husband died. It was a difficult day, but she says she still has a lot to be grateful for. I am grateful for her.
I am grateful no one was stabbed, strangled, shot, robbed, run over, or dead. It was a good night.
And that was it. We went through all 20 bags, 30+ meals, 12 blankets, etc. It was great. Everyone was happy. Everyone was laughing. We danced in the 34-degree air like we just didn’t care.
At the second to the last stop where we met all those new people, the first girl we talked to told us how nice it was to see people who truly loved their jobs. She could tell by the way everyone was with people that we truly wanted to be there. What a great job this must be if it makes us feel this happy.
Then Traci burst out, “Oh, this isn’t our job! We do this because it’s our passion!”
Because that’s how we do it in Detroit. Amen.
#magdalenesmission #peaceloveand hygiene
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