Tuesday Aug. 31, 2022
I know I usually write these reports as soon as I come back, before I go to bed. We got back too late last night. I thought I would write better after a little rest. I met some incredible people. I heard some far-out stories. I saw some dramatic stuff. But I also drove around a lot and waited a lot. Things seemed to be moving very slowly for a long time. We were visiting one or two people at a time at first. Random clients of the other two teams. Some people need medical attention. Some people need harm reduction supplies. EVERYONE needs to see Magdalene’s Mission.
Tonight, our van a.k.a., Maggie, was loaded up with the following:
50 healthy meals
25 filled women’s purses
25 filled men’s backpacks
50 water bottles
50 bananas
12 jars peanut butter
12 sleeves Ritz crackers
4 blankets
4 bins of women’s clothing
4 bins of men’s clothing
1 large bag men’s undergarments
1 large bag women’s undergarments
20 cans pepper spray
30 flashlights
Approximately 30 books
1 box of random extra’s (sewing kits, playing cards, etc)
2 bins shoes
Box of cloth bags
6 duffel bags
6 rolls toilet paper
2 pillows
4 emergency blankets
2 feisty volunteer ladies
And a whole lotta love!
The theme for this week- Just survive.
Our first two friends we made were beautiful young men. They were brothers. The younger brother only had 1 leg. The older brother had problems with his eyes. They were unfocused and I had a hard time finding his good eye. They stood outside at an intersection with a sign begging for spare change. We met up in the parking lot across the street. After giving them food, Mag Bags, toilet paper, etc., we talked for a bit. The older brother was talking about the shelters he had created for them. Last winter, they found abandoned space in an old factory. He had a propane heater, but it caught fire and burned up all their possessions.
They were most proud of their head lamps. The brothers explained that they went without and saved up until they could afford the nice headband flashlights. The younger brother used crutches to help him walk and I’m sure carrying a flashlight became a problem when you are navigating through a black, abandoned, factory warehouse at night with only 1 leg. He said he saved up until he got the nice ones.
I offered them toilet paper, and explained what stuff was in the Mag Bag I gave him. He was impressed with how thoughtful everything was. I told him I gave him what I missed, or needed, when I was homeless and had to live on the street.
“I want you to survive.”
He told me about the care he puts into constructing a safe shelter for him and his brother. “My brother is the handsome one.”
Remember that big tent and cab I saw last week? We were across the street from there. I asked him if that was theirs.
“Oh, no! We live inside someplace I cleaned out for us. Once you get inside, it feels nice. It feels like a home. Just because I live on the street doesn’t mean I have to live like an animal. I can make the best out of what we have for a life.” He humbly confessed.
That’s why I love him. That’s why these are my people.
I told him that I got out and I got better and now I know all these wonderful people who I can tell what’s it’s like to live out here, and then they can help people that they know appreciate and need them. It’s a win-win-win.
He told me that he wishes he could write a thank you note to every person who donated to us to keep them alive. He loves you. He thanks you all from the bottom of his enormous heart that you took time to care for him and his crippled brother.
Now they are your people, too.
I met a lady who just may be the most kind, humble, literally nicest person in all of Detroit. She was sweet and gentle as an angel. She couldn’t believe all that Traci and I had for her. We sat in front of 4 abandoned houses while Traci and I played the guessing game of which one she would come out from. We were the only 4 people out on the street, so we had plenty of time to love on her. Andy watched over us as Traci pulled clothes out for her.
“I’m sorry I’m so skinny. I’m trying to gain weight. I know the crack isn’t helping but I try.” She looked down into the sidewalk and began to curl into an embarrassed little ball.
“You’ll get it honey. Don’t give up. I’ve seen lots of people quit. I know it can be done. I know you are strong enough.” I reassured her.
She softly spoke, “See, that’s why I love you guys. You don’t care if I’m addicted to crack, or what I am. You just want me to survive.”
“That’s right.” I said. “You are so beloved. God loves you so much. He sent me and Traci here just to tell you. We’re on your side. You are believed in.”
She told about her tormenting struggle with addiction. She asked us how we did it. How did we get out. We told her our experiences.
“One of these days, I’m going to quit. I want to quit so bad. When I do, I’m going to be like you and Traci, and I’m going to come back and help save people.”
I hugged her boney body tight, and I told her that I knew she would.
We’ll call her Tiny Angel. Keep our Tiny Angel in your prayers, thoughts, good vibes list.
We took care of another homeless couple. These guys were adorable. The guy was quiet. He hadn’t had clean clothing in a long time, and it showed. He worked hard though. Significantly more than you would expect, guys do work. It’s not enough to get out of their hole, but it’s enough so that their girlfriends can pan handle instead of being sex workers. Some still are, occasionally, if work dries up on the guy’s end. His girlfriend was a little firecracker. But we would need so much therapy just from one day living like our friends do. These girls are tough as hide leather. I love her. She was the cutest person and funny, too.
She told her boy friend and Andy, “See, that’s why I like these girls that come out. They don’t care about our bullshit. They just want us to survive.”
Pepper spray.
That same girl was just raped again the other day by the same Arab man who has been yanking young girls into his car and does horrible perverse and violet things to them FOR YEARS. I’ve heard other girls talk and warn about him, too. She was panhandling that day, not working. She described her hours long violent sexual encounter to me. She told me about what this same man has done to her friends as well. She recently stopped him from nearly pulling her friend into their car. I made sure she had access to medical attention. I told her that I could get her to a doctor to test for STI (sexually transmitted infections). Then, she told me something hopeful.
“I make sure I get into Planned Parenthood everything 3 months to get checked out for diseases. Thank God for Planned Parenthood!” She exclaimed.
I went to a familiar spot and met a new friend. She said that she had seen us stopped in that place a few times. She noticed we were helping people. She finally got up the nerve to ask. She had a cute little dog with her. I should grab her a bag of dog food for her little guy next time. Dogs are invaluable security systems. (Thank you, Lt. Ripley) She has a daughter, too. We found her a couple of clean outfits for her and her kid. Purses, food, pepper spray, etc. She gave us tons of thank you’s and gratitude in return. I like this lady. She’s tough. She’s trying. She has dignity and respect.
At one point in the evening, all the streetlights on Michigan were flashing at once like strobe lights. And the traffic lights were all flashing, too. Super surreal and very trippy.
The last stop of the night was a swarm spot. It’s in a busy area with plenty of hidey spaces. I got to see my Girl Who Reads! I packed a bag of books this week, too. She said she really likes Danielle Steele. But she just loves to read everything. She took as many as she could carry with her. About 10 books.
I saw my Widow. Her eyes aren’t well, but she was still in bright spirits and enjoying her friends. She couldn’t stay long, but we at least got to chat for a few and get at least 3 extra hugs.
Most people are excited for the clothes. It’s a big project and not every nonprofit can do it like we do. Everyone we meet always wants clean clothes immediately after food. One of the men I spoke to, and one of the ladies said that they couldn’t take clothes that looked nice. That was the first time I had heard that.
My girl said that people harass you or won’t give you money if you wear nice clothes. It doesn’t matter where they came from.
The man said that he tried panhandling for food once when he was hungry. But the man in first car that pulled up to him criticized his shoes and his jeans and told him that he thought he was scum. He said I was so humiliated I never tried panhandling again. He’d rather starve.
Well, he didn’t starve last night. He survived.
Because that’s how we do it in Detroit. Amen.
#magdalenesmission #peaceloveandhygiene
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