XOXO Detroit

March 3^rd, 2017

                Today is our last full day in Detroit and the best way to describe it is bittersweet.  Our work included finishing bee boxes, sifting compost, and carrying soil bags.  In the afternoon, we attended the fantastic Detroit Art Institute and got lost for a few hours amidst the beautiful halls.

                However, for this post, I don’t want to focus on the day, but rather the wonderful week.

                So here’s to you Detroit.  Here’s a thank you letter for all that you have done for us.

                Thank you for inviting us into your community.  From the minute that we arrived in the Eastern Market that first day, we all knew that the stereotypes we expected would be torn apart.  You smiled at us on the streets and greeted us every morning while working at Earthworks.  You provided us with wonderful baked goods and inspirational messages to keep our energies up.  On our final night of reflection, we talked about how one word is “homey,” because that’s what Detroit has been for us for the week.

                Thank you for inspiring us to find beauty in hidden places.  From murals on brick walls to junk piled together on the side of the street.  We saw the wonder in growing plants from little seedlings to a magnificent crop.

                Thank you for providing us with energy at our lowest points.  The lively choir at Sacred Heart rejuvenated our souls.  Fun lunches with the characters at Capuchin Soup Kitchen made us connect closely to the community there (and provided us with lots of funny stories).

                Thank you for making us truly aware of all that we are fortunate enough to have.  In the middle of our trip, a water crisis caused us to see how much we need these vital items, such as food, water, and shelter.  Everyone deserves these things.  We cannot divide ourselves into classes as it was seen at the 8 Mile wall.  We must break down those walls and realize the true value in each human being.

                Thank you for educating us about so so so much.  From queen bees to the history of Detroit to Motown, I felt that we learned more than we honestly thought possible.  Maybe the reason we were so tired each night is due to the fact that our minds were full of information.

                Thank you for letting us connect with our roots.  On the first day at Earthworks, Shane mentioned how our ancestors connected with the earth by planting what we needed.  This week we experienced that.  Many of us are inspired to continue farming in the future.

                Thank you for providing us with a sense of peace.  Sitting on the beach at Belle Isle was an intimate moment as we saw the juxtaposition of a deindustrialized city on one side of the water and a place of nature on the other.  This moment provided an unspoken bond between all of us that can’t be broken.

                Thank you for late night talks in our bunk beds that felt like summer camp.

                Thank you for early mornings in a busy kitchen as we bumped elbows singing and dancing to music.

                Thank you for the chance to sing “My Girl” in Studio A at Motown Museum.

                Thank you for the hugs and blessings provided at Sacred Heart Church.

                Thank you for connections and stories from individuals who joined us at lunch every day.

                Thank you for cramped van rides with off key singing in the backseat.

                Thank you for exploring new faiths as we went to a mosque and a chapel.

                Words can’t really explain how we feel about this community now.  However, if there is one thing I have learned from mission trips, it’s that sometimes the service performed impacts the individuals doing it more than those helped.  So, here we are saying thanks to you.

                We now represent the love of Detroit in other areas of the United States.  As we saw posted around the city, “Believe there is good in Detroit.”  And oh my goodness, is there greatness here.

XOXO,

Detroit 2K17