Only one word can describe last night’s outreach- WOW. Magdalene’s Mission had not been to Detroit in 4 weeks. It’s been one thing after another. First, my basement flooded where I keep my hygiene kit building station. Then the medical team was stuck out of the country due to hurricanes. I knew we would be busy, but ‘busy’ was a severe understatement.
Met up with the med team, then headed out. I’m so excited for that awesome church to be our new headquarters! I meet up with the staff next Thursday to discuss stuff. This next week I am going to try to get everything from the storage unit in Pinckney back to my garage. I need to clear it out this month because we don’t have money for next month’s storage fee anyway.
The adventure continues…
Stanbulance is made its way smoothly down the Avenue. It was the feeling at the end of summer when the sun is extra bright, but not too hot. People out everywhere soaking in all the good vibes.
We stopped. It’s a hectic spot, but let’s get it out of the way, right? After ten seconds or so, I noticed the faces start to pop up in my rearview mirror. First a woman, then a man, then three women, then 2 couples, then two more men, then another small group of women, and two more men. Then a trickling of passersby. Nick was on the food, hygiene kits, sleeping bags, tents, backpacks, pepper-spray, and flashlights. He was impressive. I stood at the back of the van and distributed clothes to everyone who needed clean clothes. And EVERYONE needed clean clothes.
Part of my role is to help people facilitate how to handle what’s going on. One couple had very specific things that they started listing off and requesting to wear. “I need a nice outfit!”
My response, “This ain’t Kayla-Mart! I ain’t your Wishlist list. But through people’s donations God has provided what you need to survive. I can’t dress you up, but I can keep you alive. Take more socks!”
Everyone smiled.
I kept clothing to one backpack per person and one or two totes. If the people started getting carried away, or excited, I’d just say,
“Honey, you don’t got a walk-in closet to store all that!”
And then they would giggle, look down at their toes and say, “But I just don’t have anything, Auntie Kayla.”
And I tell them, “I know baby girl. But if someone sees you carry all that you’re a target. Then back to nothing… again. Here’s the most important stuff. This is how you keep it. Make it last until next Tuesday. You can hide one or two bags easier than a whole pile. I got you. I genuinely love you.”
The crowd cleared out. We began a U-turn, then I noticed my Little Red-Haired Girl. So, before we even finished the U-turn, everyone pulled over again. Basically, we crossed the street. Another ten or fifteen people crowded the van at once. Nick passed out everything from the side and I manned the clothes in back. Nick is a very good friend to everyone already.
It seemed like only a few more minutes, and we were down to two meals. Then two more ladies ran up to the van and asked if they were too late to eat. Perfect.
We were cleaned out! One and a half stops! Just over an hour! WOW! 50 meals. 40 hygiene kits. 8 sleeping bags plus several blankets, 4 tents, and 4 large storage totes worth of clothes- POOF!
And everyone was super cool and super patient with me and Nick. I told them we would get to everyone the same, and we did. Lots of thankful people. I missed helping them and boy did they miss our help.
I would not live my life any other way.
I write about the stratification of Out Groups so that the Majority can utilize their position to maintain a stable society.
And it works!
I’m going to want to move into that church ASAP! Message me if you are down to help with sorting or moving. I love you all.
We worked hard.
We kicked the devil back down in the hole last night.
Because that’s how we do it in Detroit.
Amen.
well done kiddo, GodSpeed..Light n Love.. as awlevers!