Last night was excellent! I have so much great news to share about some of our friends on the street. To share a Golden Girl Moment- “Thank you for being a friend!” Like a fan of the Journey, you “Don’t stop believing!” Excellent adventure we had last night. We got to the church about 1pm. We worked until 4:00, then we packed up Maggie the Van, and went to a tiny little bar to eat named “Tommy’s Place” right around the corner. It’s located at the end of the alley behind the church. Stevie Wonder was back to play a show in Motown last night. Being from Lansing, let me tell you how much we LOVE our Stevie Wonder. (P.S. Songs in the Key of Life is a perfect album) Great food, awesome prices. They have Faygo and Vernor’s on tap. I’ll be back there for sure
We met our first client before we even left the parking lot. Traci and I walked past him sitting on the front steps of the church after we got something to eat. We said “hello’s”. Later he walked across the parking lot to the van and asked if we had anything to eat. He was hungry. Of course we did. I also made good use of the giant rolling suitcases. I packed them with big, fluffy, comforters and pillows. I would squeeze a hygiene kit into the front pocket, and a towel if one would fit. The old man was delighted to have warm, dry, bedding to sleep safely under. I try to make sure that all of your heartfelt donations are utilized in the best ways.
Now, some people comfortably believe everything happens for a reason. Some people greatly appreciate when randomness and probability aligns in their favor. Me? This stuff is too much coincidence to be a coincidence… again. It was a clothing donation from a lady who own a thrift store in Portland that my Sissy, Jennifer, met and connected me to a couple of years ago. She had a wonderful clothing donation of newer small sized clothing. There were small and extra small sized, Fall maternity clothes. They were packed and folded neatly into a tote, and then lost in the piles of clothes spread out between 2 cities.
Last night, in the comfort of a gymnasium with all our donations organized in one place, Traci found those beautiful clothes. She packed them neatly into the street outreach totes. Our first stop was to see a girl whom I had not seen in a while. The last time I saw her was when the medical team informed her that she was pregnant.
The first patient was my dear friend, who is also my biggest fan of my Memoirs of a Changeling, is also pregnant. She ran up to me and held me tight for a long, genuine embrace. Next, she excitedly and proudly flipped up her shirt to show off her swollen tummy. She bragged about what an active boy she has bouncing around inside of her. She’s keeping as healthy as she can. We were able to supply her with an appropriate wardrobe for her changing body. Street Outreach medical volunteers are helping her keep up her prenatal care. I love it.
A lot more people were helped at that same parking lot. I recognized them all. My Pretty Red-Haired Girl came up. She’s so strong and self-sufficient. I never see her coupled up with other street people. Just in the area. I see her get in and out of a lot of cars. I think she’s the kind of person who is too thick-skinned to ask for help. I’ve been building a relationship of trust and mutual respect with her over the past couple of years. That way, when she’s ready, it will be on her terms, and she will have an advocate she can trust. Everyone needs someone on their side.
The crowd of people hovered over totes filled with clothes and shoes like crows. They stood guard over their food and bedding bags. I howled loud enough for everyone in Detroit to hear me. “YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN! GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN YOU! YOU! ARE SO LOVED!”
And just like when I was sitting on top of the church as the bells rang, I was right there when the praises rang out from the sidewalk to the sky.
Eventually, we rolled on up the road. The police have been busy the last couple of weeks tearing down peoples tents and forts. I heard that no less than 5 people we know had their shelters destroyed. The next side street we parked on, we had just begun to help our friend, when I got the message to leave immediately. Some people from the business next door were video recording us. Time to go!
The next spot we parked at was to help a couple who were living in the trees behind an empty building. More and more people made their way over to the van. We must have seen another 15 or 20 people. We had one meal left, and one sleeping bag. It was exactly enough for our next stop…
DARLA & BABY! She was happily greeting the volunteers from the medical team when I approached her. She ran full speed up to me and jumped into my lap and smothered me with happy kisses. I told it was time for me to hook up my best friend, and she made a bee line for the van, and hopped right into the driver’s seat! I pulled out some of the dog food and treats that I always bring with me in case I see her. She climbed right in the back of the van and ate the entire baggie of treats from my hand. Then I opened the zip-loc bag of dog food and just let her shove her pretty face in and go to town. Their Person needed medical attention, so Baby, the puppy came and hung out inside the van, too. They were so happy. I’m going to be riding the vibes of that love bomb from those 2 dogs for a while. Even better than that?
Darla & Baby’s Person got an apartment!!!! He’s been working hard at it, and I’m so proud of him. What a long hard road my friend has survived. We talked about the impact that having a home after overcoming sever homelessness has on your head. We had the same conversations with God. “If we could ever be safe inside with access to food again, I promise, I promise God, I will never complain about anything ever, ever, again.”
Now that we have survived all that, nothing on a day-to-day basis compares to that level of fear and vulnerability. Having safe shelter makes everything else in the world feel like a blessing. I love being there to hear and share these stories of success. He’s still panhandling every so often to make ends meet up, but with an address, anything is possible.
When Darla’s Person came to collect her, a large man approached him with a Little Ceasar’s Pizza box, then spoke briskly, but gently. “Here’s for your dogs, man.”
“Thank you, so much!” Darla’s Person replied.
A few minutes later, he opened the box and passed slices back and forth between the pups.
Darla’s Person has a few pots and pans. I have some dishes. His goal is to find a television, radio, furniture, anything to break up the monotony of silence and to get out of his own head for a while. He’s a non-fiction reader. I’ll see what I can do.
My Little Red-Haired Girl asked me if I would please request underwear for the ladies. I have some affordable packages on the Magdalene’s Mission Wish List on Amazon. I have a link to the Wish List on the webpage on How To Donate.
Winter Is Coming…. I’m almost out of coats, and hats. I’m out of gloves and handwarmers. Blankets and socks are on-going needs. If you’re purging your closets, my porch is still the preferred donation drop-off location.
I’m also making a new page on the Magdalenesmission.com website for people to sign up for a meal, or even donating food so that I can make a meal.
Also, if you, or your company, would like to volunteer time at a non-profit, I have a place in Detroit to put you and your co-worker to good use.
For people, by people, through other people, to get to people. People matter.
Remember the friend from the beginning of the report who was pregnant that reads my book? She is the same lady who I sat in the grass with on top of the bridge and I talked to her for a long time while everyone was busy serving everyone else. That day she told me that she bought a beautiful star stone for her daughter. That she was so peace-filled, because that’s what she bought for her daughter ‘s birthday instead of buying drugs. She told me yesterday, that she’s in contact with her daughter who still holds tightly that gemstone as a precious talisman of inspiration.
We are not forgotten.
God has not forgotten us.
We are so loved.
Because that’s how we do it in Detroit.
Amen.
