Adventures with friends in Detroit. Yesterday was a special day of outreach for Magdalene’s Mission. One of our board members, The Treasurer, was in town. It is imperative that she experiences what Traci, and I do every week. Friends who share the mission.
We met up with our treasured friend, Donna, on the way out of town and she loaded us up with sleeping bags. Friends who know.
The teams that we usually go out with have alternative plans on the second Tuesday of the month when MM isn’t out. So, this week we went out by ourselves. We followed no one, just my instincts, through the alleys and side streets of ghetto Detroit.
Our first encounter was on our way to Fort St. We had all our supplies and donations in the van; we just hadn’t packed them into totes yet. I recognized her from the week before. We were able to help her out. She was very careful not to take too much or take something that might be more useful to someone else. Such a sweetheart.
We continued to our headquarters at Fort St. Church. We packed a light load, because I had no idea if we would be able to find anyone.
Of course, I had prayed for it, so we did.
I found 3 older men living in an alley behind an abandoned shop. They were very shy, but very hungry. Two of the men were brothers. The elder brother was still protective of his little brother. We were both grateful we saw one another.
“Keep your eyes open for anyone who looks grubby, or anyone digging through a trash can. Those are our people.”
The next person we helped was Big Hands friend. He holds down their little corner of Detroit. I told him Magdalene’s Mission would contribute to his memorial. He sure was grateful for that Carhart hoodie (thank you PJ). All he had to wear was the one, thin, t-shirt, and the temperature was going to plummet last night. That hoodie saved his life. His jeans were blackened, but we had a clean pair of pants, socks, and unders for him. Thank you, donors.
Thank you, Jesus, for touching hearts.
I asked him where I could find more of our people. He told me where they were hiding out. So, we traveled on.
I saw my Widow! I whipped the van over and we hugged real big squishy hugs. She was working, but she had a few minutes to get some stuff. The clothes and food were a lot to carry at once. We were going to give her a ride to the next spot when we saw another girl we had known for years.
This is the best!
Widow wasn’t waiting, so she went back to work, and we told her we would bring her stuff down to her spot where she stayed after we took care of our girl.
My girl was bright. She was glowing. Her shoulders were square and her chin was up. Something was very different. She was so excited to share with me the glorious news!
She got a shot that made her not crave opioids, and it would last for 30 days! She said it hurt, but she can not remember feeling this good. She was free! No longer a prisoner of her addiction. She didn’t want it, definitely didn’t need it, and had no urges or temptations to let it back in her body.
She. Is. Done.
Like, done-done. Done with all of it. The opioid curtain had been uncovered from her eyes. She could see clearly now. She could see everything that was sacrificed onto the alter of addiction. She was taking it back. Her time was hers. Her life was hers. Her soul was not a bartered token anymore. We celebrated her victory. We cried about it. We laughed about it. She and Traci talked to God about it together. Traci shared with her how critical prayer was for her at this time. She was at a level of happiness even she didn’t know was possible. We did it.
We discussed her game plan to get off the street. Traci and I told her that when she got her housing lined up to let us know. We could help her get set up. She is not alone on her journey. Our donors haven’t failed me yet. Spoils to our victors.
She’s going to be able to see her first grandchild now, because she’s sober and clean. She’s in contact with her children. Her daughter can’t wait for her mother to be welcome into her home, because she will be clean and sober. Her son will take some extra time to heal. But she’s able to heal that relationship now, because she’ll be clean and sober.
It means she’s free.
She was in a prison of addiction. The key was buried deep inside her and she was the only one who could get to it.
And finally, she did.
She gets her life back. Her children get their mother back. A baby girl has a grandma.
When people talk about the uselessness of serving drug-addicts, I always respond with, “Yeah. Maybe. But dead people can’t recover.”
This is what I mean. This is what your donations of food, blankets, and handwarmers lead to.
They lead to tiny warriors so they can win their war.
When they win, we all win.
And that’s how we do it in Detroit.
Amen.
