We arrived as breakfast was being served in the Peacemakers' main room, which serves as both a cafeteria and a church. Our group split up into several smaller sections, in order to work more effectively. Inside, one group was serving breakfast and pastries to members of the community, while others helped a lady make a quilt. Another group went on a short but informative tour of the Peacemakers' building and the surrounding area led by Pastor Jeremiah. We refueled around noon with self-made lunches that we prepared at Huron Hills before we left in the morning. After lunch, some students began the work on the mural by priming plywood; they also painted signs to advertise a resale store run by the Peacemakers. Other students took a tour of the city of Detroit while some remained behind to listen to tesimonies given by Peacemaker staff members Michelle, Charlene, Tom, Robert, and others in the community, most of whom had recently made drastic changes in their lifestyles and recovered from drug addictions. This was the most powerful event of the day for many of us. Gary took a van of students to the resale store to help organize, clean it up, and use the newly painted signs to publicize the store. We all headed over to the Wagner's house for a delicious meal of lasagna and salad, followed by a lively game of ultimate frisbee and some group planning time.
Andrew and I were struck most powerfully by the sense of abandonment and destruction that was evident on every street corner. Many houses are run down or uninhabitable, and vacant lots are everywhere. It's easy to see that the people here can't find any hope in their own community, but instead have looked to God and found hope in Him. Their trust and belief in His plan for Chene Street is obvious, but is constantly tested by the harshness of their situation. We are definitely excited to be a part of God's plan here with the Peacemakers.
Callie (with Andrew and Brian Surguine)
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