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| Former Michigan migrant home serves new mission |
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STOCKBRIDGE, Mich. — Often when one speaks of people with passion, they say they have a “mission” – but in Billy Allen’s case, the Good Shepherd Mission really is his mission.
For many years, its location was a drab green pole building that housed migrant workers coming to the area to harvest crops. Then for a time, the migrants did not come and the building sat empty, as improved farm harvesting equipment eliminated the need for migrant help. Allen himself was the baby of a large family of migrants who once stayed in the facility.
Over time, the facility began taking on a different appearance. After years of trying to buy the land for his vision of an interfaith mission, in 1997 Allen’s prayers were answered when the owner agreed to sell. The wooden building was known as the Reeves School.
While doing some early work on the property, he found buried there a blue bottle, a time capsule. Inside were documents, including the last class roster from the Reeves School, along with a copy of the Sunday School Advocate dated June 24, 1871. Allen saw this time capsule as a sign that his mission would be granted.
Then, even more signs began to appear. Some pews were donated, along with furniture for residents rooms at a special price. Allen has the frame of mind that encourages the recycling of things. His ability to see new uses for old things seems to drive this preacher.
While Allen never gives up, he does sometimes get discouraged. About the time he gets down, the Almighty throws him another chip to keep him going. The mission was built on a “2-by-4 per month program,” and that is how he made it all happen.
He simply notes that he and the Almighty work well together. He makes use of any skills that are available to him on a project like this, and believes there are no “throwaway people” and very little in other materials that cannot be used again.
-Cecil Darnell |
| 5/5/2010 |
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