Merry Christmas and a Happy Two Years!
Honestly, tis is the Pt. 2 version. I was falling asleep as I typed so I wanted to go over it one more time. That picture is Traci in my basement two years ago. We’re building tables from a variety of random flat surfaces as we sort and pack.
Magdalene’s Mission has been running the streets for two whole years of hands-on street outreach. For two years, I have been the witness to an onslaught of miracles and tragedy. For two years, I have witnessed the absolute best in people come out in a myriad of ways. Everyone who donates, contributes, and volunteers, is just doing some little thing that they believe could help a homeless person. The ways that people contribute are as unique as they are. It is these infinite hues and shades of the human spirit the make our shared image so detailed. Our collective vision of what humanity can be is precise.
There were only two other volunteers out with Stan tonight. Magdalene’s Mission included me, Traci, four crockpots of goulash, pb& j lunches from Katie, turkey roll-ups, Gatorade, juice, and water, as well from Jenni. I had a bunch of blankets that came from friends at People’s Church as well as Traci’s clients whom she loves to talk about us. My cousin Melissa donated scarves that she made as a fundraiser she organized through her family’s business, Boza Boutique. (That’s the guy who does the amazing woodworking projects) I had a bunch of purses to take out (thank you), and the last of the Christmas bags from Kelly Bowen and her mom. Mag’s Bag’s were looking good this week, thank you Mary Anderson. Her husband finds a lot of great backpacks for us that are amazing and thoughtful. When I was able to hand that to someone to put their stuff in, it changed the trajectory of their life a bit. Mary puts together hundreds of baggies of hard candy and then delivers all these thoughtful donations and so much more to me every month.
Stanley led us in prayer over the walkie talkie to bless and guide our outreach before the two vehicles rolled out. We didn’t know where Andy was yet, so we just drove out to the southwest side and hoped to find him because he was probably helping someone. Along the way saw My Widow Who Sits. She was technically standing at an intersection with her sign. She looked miserable. We drove around the block and parked nearby.
She was feeling sick. She was embarrassed, but we understood. She asked if she could have an extra meal for her Handyman when he got home from work.
Marilyn Monroe’s new boyfriend came out and introduced himself as such. He asked if he could please have food to bring back to her. He didn’t want any for himself.
We helped a few people out from that group. Our next stop had us parked across the street from a party store where the teams could meet up with someone who needed medical attention. It was the couple I had met a couple weeks before. They had an abandoned house that they claimed as their own. It was a step up. They were relieved to at least not be directly out in the elements anymore. Mr. Anthropology refolded all of the clothes in the totes after everyone had gone through them. Then he stacked them neatly back into the van. He said it was the proper way to show his appreciation and gratitude for what we do for them. It meant a lot that we cared about them.
A friend of theirs approached the van. Super nice dude. He was really skinny. He did need a coat though and fell in love with a large jersey type jacket. He didn’t want hardly anything from us, but he did need medical attention. Next, we met the strangest family. That was a very bazaar encounter. A young man said that these dear old people needed food and blankets. We replied, of course, and packed everyone a bag with a meal in it. Everyone said they needed a blanket. They were sweet, but the little old Mama kept saying, “Gracias! Gracias!” Then tried to leave with my bags of turkey rolls… at least four times.
Traci and I went to a new hidden homeless camp. Stan warned us to be careful when we got there. That felt ominous. When we pulled up, I realized why. We were underneath a bridge, and parked on the shoulder of an entrance ramp to the highway. We loaded up enough food and hygiene supplies for five people. When I turned around again, everyone was gone. I saw Stan come down and he said to just walk straight up the hill. That seemed insane and impossible for it to lead anywhere, but I trust the dude.
Only when she and I got to the top of the hill did we notice the ring of tents. One women with short hair cam out to collect supplies. I love the relentless tenacity of humanity. We refuse to just roll over and die when stuff gets hard. We convince ourselves to live in spite of death.
We fed a man tonight who lives under a pile of wood that looks like a trash heap in a vacant lot. Brilliant disguise. He appreciated the warm food.
We drove around Detroit for four hours before we met our last friend of the night. She is homeless. She’s trying to get into rehab. She tried sex work as a means of income, but ended up being brutally raped over the course of several hours. He had a series of humiliating tasks for her to perform for fear of her life. He video taped the entire thing. She confessed, that she her instincts told her that if she did what he said, and didn’t fight him, that he would let her go. After several hours of violence, he eventually released her. She never reported it, or received any medical attention, for fear of legal retribution. She tried warning people to be on the look out for him. She was angry because she felt that other people weren’t taking her advice. Anyhow, that’s why isn’t able to do sex-work any longer, so she decided to panhandle because it would be safer. But she reported that competition was fierce to stand at an intersection. Especially for a single female. She just wished she could work for an hour or so. She could make ten bucks. She is currently putting all of her energy into quitting heroin. She believes she is still beloved by God. She won’t stop being generous with whatever she has left, no matter how crazy it may seem. Her goal is to open a non-profit someday. She wants to help children. She wants to be an advocate for children in the foster care system. I couldn’t see her smile behind her scarf but I could see it in her eyes when she talked about the person she was working to become.
Those are the human encounters that validate the purpose of existence. That women lives a life that you better be grateful to not understand. She lives with physical violence every day. It is a battle and a struggle to survive every minute of every day and night for her. Someone called her a bunch of names and was fighting with her even while we gave her some food.
I was able to give her a list of resources, including Avalon, and connected her with Andy who is one of a few persons who has great resources and connections with many of the rehabilitation centers around Detroit. Sometimes he can unstick a sticky situation. It is a step in the direction she’s trying to head. All she wants in her life is to be stable again so it can be her turn to take care of someone who cannot take care of themselves.
Who can blame her? It’s what every person who has ever decided to make the world worth surviving for has felt. It can be better than this. We can make the world a happier place. One person at a time.
Because that’s how we do it in Detroit. Amen
#peaceloveandhygiene #magdalenesmission
post-script: It is after 1:30 a.m. am so exhausted. I may just have to rewrite this after I get up.
Sweet dreams on moonbeams!!!
