On a bone-chilling Michigan winter afternoon, Michigan Area members went to the streets of Detroit to serve our Lords the poor with food, clothing, friendship, and prayer.

The “Into the Fire” ministry, organized by Patrick Jones, KM; John Juriga, KM; and Sean Shriner, Members in Formation, serves Detroit’s homeless on the streets. With food and clothing donated by Michigan Area members and others, “Into the Fire” volunteers drive the Malta Mobile Ministries Van into Detroit’s poorest and most devastated areas, seeking those in need. In addition to performing these corporal works of mercy, the volunteers also pray with the people they meet, upon request. 

Following the Michigan Area’s March 1 First Saturday (see “Michigan Area meets for March First Saturday”), an “Into the Fire” team took food, socks, hats, and other clothing to multiple locations in Detroit. John Juriga and his wife, Associate Lisa Juriga, were accompanied by Thomas Larabell, KM; Stanley Sedore, Member in Formation, and Santiago Smith, son of Michigan Area Chair Andy Smith, KM and Andrea Smith, DM. 

The temperature was 19 degrees with a strong wind. One of the group’s stops was a public park where the homeless were standing around a fire pit, trying to keep warm. A homeless mother with three children approached the “Into the Fire” team to ask for food. John recounts, “She called to her son who was sitting on a bench, but he did not want to move, perhaps because he was so cold; he had on only sweatpants, a long flannel shirt, and a hoodie – no winter coat. But when he found out that we had a nice winter jacket for him, he came over and put it on, grinning from ear to ear. This young man, about 14 years old, thanked us and walked away, then returned to thank us a second time when we had finished serving the folks in that park.” John adds, “We were all chilled to the bone after only 15 minutes outside, and were glad to get back into the van – God help the poor folks who had to stay out in the frigid weather.  They appreciated us just providing them with some food, warmer clothing, a smile, a prayer. I wish we could do more.”

“Into the Fire” operates every first Saturday and on other days when volunteers and supplies are available.

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