Kathy has a quick wit and shoots from the hip. She speaks the word of the locals because she is one of them. She is a true servant leader. She is working on her Master’s in Sociology. She carries her honesty and realness like a superball and drop slams it in the office.  She grew up in the City. She is a product of the mission and her children have a new life and a new hope because of it.

Summer school at City Mission is a different kind of school, it is more like a fortress of love and a safe place to learn and play. Because Brightmoor is in the most impoverished neighborhood in Detroit, it also is a dangerous place. Even God’s property has been vandalized and doors are locked to unwanted visitors all day and all night. Most of the widows are wavy glass block to let the sun in and the strangers out. To give a sense of some openness there is a whoosh of air that breezes through the courtyard between two sides of the U shaped building. In the center are outdoor tables with seats to enjoy some of the nature that finds its way between sunlight and urban blight.

Finding Family

Chapter 3

Even though God’s place is called ‘City Mission,’ many believe it should be called ‘Mission Impossible.’  And that is true. But with God all things are possible. He is the God of possibilities. During my short six weeks here, I have seen a total staff layoff and near closing of the school for the 2008-09 year. Donations have been horribly low.  There have been many tears and the entire staff is working with no pay to keep the doors open. Then God does the impossible and provides $170,000 within a week. We are on the edge of being able to overcome these forces. Everyone at the mission is living by faith that the school will open and that the remainder of the funds will find its way to their bank account.

A little green asbestos house is lazily standing on the lot next to the mission. And the yard hosts an urban garden. The garden is well kept and has newspaper covered with burlap bags up and down the rows of vegetables. There is a wooden fence embracing the green delights. There are several little mini-gardens that grow eggplant, hot peppers, melon and a variety of root vegetables. Tall wooden tepees are erected to support tomato plants. A scattering of flowers blossom just for fun. Queen Ann’s Lace moves like a magic wand over the garden in the afternoon breezes. These vegetables are picked to sell at the local farmers market.