4/24/2024
God is good all the time.
And all the time God is good.
Tuesdays nights are the best. Last night was truly special. The only thing that could have made it any better would have been if Traci could have been there, too. But I’m working on getting us a bigger boat.
We had a donation a couple of weeks ago of several stellar cans of beef stew that I was able to put to good use. I added dashes of black pepper, garlic, onion, some green beans, a dollop of love, and voila! Same person gave us lunchmeat, too. All I needed to buy was bread, paper lunch sacks, soup cups, stupid lids (that didn’t fit right), and spoons. I got what we needed, and after gas I have less than $3 in our bank account.
Eh, That’s God’s problem. I have a report to tell!
The Magdalene’s Mission Posse was just me and Cecelia tonight. Maggie LeVan was running again after months of being unwell. I could feel her love to be back as we zipped up, down, and around the city streets. I think she was showing off her turning dexterity a few times. She dug her tires into the muddy alleys and leaped delicately over every speed hump. It was warm(ish) and light, and everyone, including the van, was in a great mood.
Our first stop was to meet a patient at a gas station on the east side. While they treated her, at least three other people approached us subtly, and shyly for meals. One women kept walking near us staring at the food. I asked her if she was okay. She just nodded quickly. One of the nurses approached her and she was able to bring her to us.
The senior man we served was thanking me for the food, blanket, socks, and hygiene.
I told him, just like I told every single person we helped last night, “You were not forgotten. God loves you, baby.”
The next part was an extra special treat. The only other time it happened was when we were with Cecelia. We explored an abandoned convent catholic school! It was different than the last time we were there. Nature has been busy there the past year. People had been spotted in there earlier, but the entire building was abandoned, other than us, while we searched for signs of life. I shared with you the pictures.
We spoke with a lady on the side of the street who needed medical attention. We focused on our friends who live outside, and are shelter challenged. The blanket donations were very appreciated. I had a good supply of great, new, insulated jackets.
People had already started shedding the heavy layers in lieu of the spring warmups. A lot of people didn’t know that it would be close to freezing at night for the next few days. Those coats and blankets saved the lives of good men and women. Thank you.
We stopped to help a crippled veteran begging at an intersection. The medical team did there thing while Magdalene’s Mission did theirs.
Cecelia and I were laughing. Everyone we spoke to was in a good mood. Then the night just kept getting even better.
I saw one of my really, really, really favorite people. She is the lady I sat on the bridge in the grass with and we talked for a long time. She’s had my book for a while now. We talked about how she felt after reading it. Her boyfriend is the one who had the dream with me in it. She told me how much reading my memoirs meant to her. She said it made her feel understood, and that she could see how some things were not actually her fault. She didn’t have to feel guilty for the sins of others. Her boyfriend read it, too. He said there was a lot of it he could relate to. Points such as, outside living strategies, or how I avoided a serious drug addiction. How seeing the darkest in humanity can make the simplest points of light more appreciated.
It made him remember to appreciate every tiny detail. Because there are so many gifts that are great but simple. He told me that the first time he got sober, he remembers going outside and seeing a sunrise. It was the most beautiful thing he ever saw. He had never conceived of such majestic beauty. Ironically, it had actually been there every day of his life, he had just forgotten to look because he was always distracted. Her boyfriend said that there were also so many times in my story when I just walked headfirst into the worst situations, too. It made him want to scream at the pages.
“But I didn’t give up. That’s what I want you to take away from it.”
Cecelia has read it too, so it was cool to hear everyone’s impressions. My girl told me that she guards her copy and takes it with her wherever they stay. People want to read it, but she’s afraid she won’t give it back, so she covets it. I’m going to have to get a job so I can buy and bring more copies. It’s an immense comfort to have a story that dark and be able to share it with someone who is compassionate, not afraid. We must have hugged it out at least twenty more times before the teams headed out to see our next patient.
It was my Angel! She’s still out there. She’s still working on her stuff and trying to get into housing. She called me a bunch of times to make sure she didn’t miss us. We went to the place where she has her tent. While we waited for her, we saw Darla! She ran to see me so hard that she dragged that old filled shopping cart down the sidewalk like a reindeer!
I brought her dog food and water. I told Cecelia to share our beef stew with her. She gobbled up 2 whole bowls! Cecelia and I played with her and loved on her for a long time. I opened the passenger door, and she gladly took her place in the warm front seat in front of the heat vents. She has a great smile.
Several more people came up to us at that location. We were able to help some grateful outside livers. Including my Ms. GG!
She came running up behind me and gave me the biggest hug. She didn’t stay long, but she looked great and happy. That’s what it’s all about.
When my Angel finally came out, we had a lot to be happy about. She is sharing a tent with Darla and Darla’s human. She said that Darla is her snuggle buddy in the tent at night. I gave them my last big comforter. Traci found a tarp in the garage yesterday. I put it in the van for just in case. Her tent has a big rip in it, so that was awesome. She’s keeping it together out there.
We went down a few more alleys and side streets. We stopped to see a couple for medical attention and supplies. As Cecelia and I served them, several more thin, ashy, faces approached us for food, hygiene and warm clothing. We had just enough for that last little group of people.
I hugged on all my friends one last time, then I checked out with the medical team. As soon as I got in the van to leave, the first few raindrops began to tap on my windshield. What perfect timing.
And what a perfect night! Everyone was okay. Because of the NFL draft coming to downtown Detroit, a lot of our homeless friends have been temporarily swept up into hotel rooms for a few days. That’s good for them.
Thank you for being a part of Magdalene’s Mission. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of working with these fierce, yet sensitive individuals.
Every single person we helped last night, we told them that God so loves them. They are not forgotten. And everyone received it. I pray God will keep sending me to the ghetto to share His unconditional love.
Because that’s how we do it in Detroit.
Amen.
