Ministered to by Flint
It’s getting hot in Flint, and water distribution goes on as do new opportunities to learn about ourselves and others. We have some regular volunteers now, folks from NOW Ministries that are contributing regularly, along with the family that lives around the corner of Knapp Ave. Another farm boy-slash-scholar came along to volunteer last week, Zach Oaster found out first-hand what it looks like for folks to depend on bottled water to get through daily life, and he also witnessed the teamwork and temperament necessary to working together to get a job done.
Of course, a lot of what we do is simply fill cars with cases of bottled water. But Zach also saw the part of Bedrock that makes it what it is, and can be. While distributing thousands of cases of water, diapers, baby-wipes, and resource information; working and volunteering in Flint is one of those opportunities that can pass us by if we let them, those being the opportunities to interact with others that we normally don’t. The most important aspect of this for me, along with attempting to embody the gospel by loving and serving my neighbor, is to learn more about myself and my own assumptions.
Flint also offers an opportunity for me to enjoy the fact of diversity that exists in our world and be reminded of why God’s action at Babel was such a blessing. The joy of human nature is the same as the joys of wilderness and domesticated creation – it is the spectrum of surprise and joy that we can witness as we watch how the world of God touches us in different ways according to our different stories. We begin to realize the multivaried nature of blessing and grace where we could never see it in evidence through the limits of our own perspectives. Diversity is not about race and ethnicity per-se, but about stories and experiences, joys and trauma, and our ability to be vehicles for the Holy Spirit in incredibly surprising ways.
Zach will probably not know how much his presence meant to the distribution effort. In fact, all those who lend me a car to go to Flint could never know. The fact that Zach’s truck was available meant that we were able to get water to shut-ins. We were able to get water to two families who only had bicycles for transportation. We delivered water to the homes of two volunteers whose cars had recently broken down (in fact, Jenn and I had a breakdown with our only car on Friday). It takes a vehicle to help folks who need it most, and I have been blessed with friends who are willing to let me use their cars.
The other important work was done by Jackie and Angelo on Thursday. While distributing water, they fired up a grill in front of the church and grilled brats and had other food prepared for everyone. A family drove up in a minivan and it was a little difficult to communicate at first because they individuals were deaf. We were able to easily discern they needed water (of course) but never could have estimated other needs if the grill had not been outside. One smell of those brats cooking and we found that the family had not eaten in a long time. He could smell the brats and indicated that, indeed, a meal would be as helpful as water. Jackie prepared a table and ate with the family, and we were then able to make a pantry order for them.
Most of what happens is good conversation. While recent headlines focused on some bickering that has been occurring in Flint among activists and volunteers, my experiences at First Church of the Brethren, Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church, and Greater Holy Temple on Dort Highway have been nothing but positive, and often humorous. As a volunteer and guest of the town, it is easy to remember that folks might get frustrated or have a few choice words about their situation, but other things bring the crisis closer to home. My Uncle, a Baptist preacher aged more than 80-years-old, drove up to the Brethren Church on Wednesday. For nearly 18 months, he has been hauling cases of water into his home. He had a smile on his face as we put a few cases of water in his trunk. He was surprised to see me, but was not very eager to talk about the troubled water situation. His entire focus was on Jesus. If we can have a similar focus, Flint can be a big ministry opportunity. Flint can minister to the church.
