It is wonderful to hear the experience a member had with the OverGround Railroad, transporting a person from the Baldwin Detention Center to their home in Grand Rapids. It is available to
hear on FaceBook near the start of the February 22 Sunday Service. For those who do not know about the OverGround Railroad, some people detained by ICE are held in a private prison
in Baldwin. When they are released, people volunteer to be part of a “train” to drive them back to their homes or where they need to go. In this instance, the person had been detained a year,
and was driven to Grand Rapids to rejoin their family. It was an emotional experience for the volunteer driver, the released detainee, and the detainee’s family.

In these adverse political times, the works and charities surrounding the OverGround Railroad seem to strike a particular resonance for our friends and members. While we are frequently
frustrated by the maneuverings of politics and politicians, when it seems there are so few practical things to be done, taking this sort of bold and personal action gives all those involved
an opportunity to have the unique satisfaction of doing something impactful. There are ways to volunteer with the OverGround Railroad that immediately affect people’s lives with few
intermediaries.

Our church also collects funds to help detainees live their life in this Baldwin detention center by providing them money for things like phone calls and vending machines. So far I know of one
person who personally went to the facility to deposit money into accounts. From my understanding, if money is deposited indirectly into accounts, the detention center takes 25% of
the funds. This is why doing it in person is so important; this will allow more of the money the church raises to go directly to the detainees for their needs. The Q Smokehouse in Ludington also collects clothing for the detainees because when they are released, literally at the prison gate, they may not have winter clothing. If you are interested in
providing clothing, please speak to a member of Indivisible, or stop in at Q Smokehouse on James Street.

All this work is being done in conjunction with associations in Baldwin, our local chapter of Indivisible, and with churches in Grand Rapids and Grand Haven (that I know of at this point). It is quite a mix of theological, non-theological, and political ideologies working together to a good end.  While many are angry and frustrated with the methods and processes of the government,
people are detained, now, in our area, who need our help. It is good that we keep the “big picture” arguments and activities in mind. Meanwhile, being able to directly help people who
need help in small, direct, and significant ways is needed. By offering kindness and hospitality, we build resilience, hope, and connections, which are cornerstones of resistance. As Martin
Luther King said, “Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.” In this, we do not hate, but take constructive action for those who immediately need assistance.