YOU Have Blessed Derrick!

During our weekly Homeless Outreach on April 10th, I asked some of our homeless friends if it would be a benefit to them if we started bringing a nurse with us once a month. I thought a nurse could dress wounds, tend to other issues, and advise our brothers and sisters on the street how to deal with whatever health concerns they may have. The answer was a definite “yes”. So we will work towards that.

About halfway through our outreach trip that day, our dear friend Alexander (remember the glasses story?) told informed me that Derrick was “really falling out” (prison/street slang for “in bad shape”). Derrick is most likely in his sixties and walks with a cane. He also has diabetes, which is an extremely common ailment of the homeless folks we serve. He wasn’t feeling very well, but didn’t exhibit any symptoms that were overly-alarming to anyone. Alexander walked with him to where Derrick’s sister stayed, so he could be with her. (Note: We didn’t say ‘Derrick’s sister’s home’ or ‘where she lived’. The term among the homeless community is ‘where they STAY’).

This past Saturday, Derrick was the first person I visited with on our Homeless Outreach. He came up to me and immediately said, “Did you bring your nurse with you today?” I told him that we hadn’t gotten that lined up yet and it would take some time, but I could see in his eyes that something was wrong and he was scared. His diabetes had gotten much worse and he hadn’t been able to obtain the necessary medicine. Alexander had been keeping an eye on him again and Derrick’s stomach was become very bloated.

Derrick had been able to qualify for unemployment benefits for a time and could rely on that to help him pay for medication. However, those benefits had run out and with it went all of his income. I wonder if he could qualify for disability, but that is an unbelievably arduous and extremely lengthy process for our homeless brothers and sisters to go through. Most are denied.

At any rate, Derrick informed me that he was in pretty bad shape. My wife and I spent a couple of hours with him and Alexander, exploring our options to get him the help he needed.

No doctor or emergency room would see him. His case wasn’t “emergent” and unless it’s an emergency situation, doctors and ERs don’t have to provide care. He couldn’t pay, so they couldn’t (scratch that…wouldn’t) take him.

This is not a statement on healthcare. But the simple fact is that this man needed insulin and until he was in worse shape (foaming at the mouth, perhaps, as some of our diabetic homeless friends have been found doing), he was not going to receive traditional medical care.

I spent some time in the St. Louis Public Library, trying to locate any sort of clinic that might help. Every single one of them was closed on Saturdays. I found programs that might help with payment for medication. Closed on Saturdays. I asked him if we could call the physician he sees and have his prescription sent to a nearby Schnucks, where we could get him generic meds at a lower rate. He sees his physician at a clinic which is closed on Saturdays.

We finally accepted the fact that, barring an unfortunate medical catastrophe, Derrick was not going to get his medication over the weekend. We found out that he takes ten different types of medication for his diabetes. To get all of them would be about $50. To get just the insulin would be approximately $30. It’s $15 to see the doctor, which is a required to get the prescriptions.

Derrick had scraped enough money together to see the doctor late last week, but had no money for the medication. We asked if he could promise to meet us at a specific time Monday, so we could get him to his clinic. He said he could. And Alexander said he’d stick with Derrick until Monday and would go with him and us to the clinic.

After some more investigating, I found two regular DRR volunteers, Jonas and Hannah, who were willing to drive to St. Louis and get Derrick to the clinic. We sent them with the $50 today. As I type this, I just received a text from Hannah saying they had just met Derrick and Alexander and were on their way.

We left the information on financial assistance for prescriptions with Alexander and Derrick. Alexander promised to go through the info with Derrick and see what he might qualify for.

The DRR cannot purchase medicine for all of our homeless friends. And we cannot purchase it regularly for Derrick. We told him this had to be a one-time thing. A stop-gap measure. And we asked him to keep it to himself that it was us who provided the funding for the medicine. He understood.

However, we could not in good consciousness turn our back on this need. It was obvious to my completely untrained eye that Derrick was in pretty bad shape. My grandfather has diabetes and his belly blows up sometimes, too. He has to have the fluid drained from it regularly. Maybe that’s what Derrick needs. Either way, I feel confident in saying that if we didn’t get his insulin soon, he would have died.

The DRR has just come through a very tough financial time. In the 4 days prior to this Homeless Outreach trip, we had received a few donations that helped us regain some more secure footing. I do not believe it to be a coincidence that we had received these gifts just prior to this need arising.

This is what your support allows us to do. We purchase small toiletry items and small snacks and distribute those every Saturday. But those things aren’t the point. They’re items we can use to make connections with folks. And once those connections are made and relationships develop, that’s when our ministry begins.

A few months ago, we were able to bless Alexander with a new pair of glasses, which he was in dire need of (through this, we discovered that he has severe glaucoma, which we’re looking into treatment options for…so please keep Alexander in your prayers).

Now, we have provided Derrick with medication when he desperately needs it. YOU make it possible for us to meet these needs, to minister to these folks, to make a difference in their lives.

We don’t take on expenses such as this very often, but when it’s the right thing to do, we do it.

If you would like to support the Dirty Roots Revolution, or if you’d like to give specifically to this cause, to offset the expenses associated with Derrick’s medicine, you can send your gift to:

Dirty Roots Revolution
C/O: Ryan Mifflin
615 East Oak St.
Greenville, IL 62246

You can also contribute online through our website: www.DirtyRootsRevolution.com.

If you have questions or would like to discuss with me ways to support the DRR, please do not hesitate to email me at info@dirtyrootsrevolution.com or call me at 618.267.5436.

If you are a nurse or any other type of medical personnel, and are interested in accompanying the DRR to St. Louis occasionally, please contact me to discuss possibilities.

Thank you for your support. Whether you give finances and/or materials for us to distribute on the Homeless Outreach, whether you go on the outreach trips, or whether you lift our group up in prayer, you are involved in making a difference in the lives of many people!

One final thought. As Derrick and Alexander were preparing to leave our outreach site Saturday morning, I was visiting with a few other folks who had come by. Alexander asked me if he could interrupt me for just a moment. I said, “Sure”. He wanted to be sure him and I and Derrick prayed together before we left each other for the week.

So, with arms around each other, we prayed. We all prayed for the well-being of everyone on the street. Alexander and I prayed for Derrick and that God would sustain him until Monday. I thanked God (and still do) that Alexander was there to help Derrick.
And Derrick thanked God for the DRR and the blessing we promised to provide him.

Thank you for what you do to make that possible.

We Need YOUR Help!

World-Changers:

It is unusual – or at the very least we try to make sure it is infrequent – that we contact our membership, solely to ask for financial contributions. We always spread the word on our financial need in a general sense, a necessity for a charitable organization. But try not to approach you frequently with specific requests for donations.

However, today, I approach each friend of the Revolution, humbly asking each of you to consider a gift to the DRR. Like all non-profits, our existence is filled with financial challenges and for the first time in a year, our funds are simply depleted. We are exploring every opportunity to raise money, but we must keep some funds in the bank to fulfill our mission.

Our organization is 100% volunteer-driven. Outside of standard operating expenses (which we strive to keep at a minimum), every penny donated to the DRR goes directly toward our mission of empowering individuals with the knowledge that one person CAN make a difference and providing them with opportunities to be involved in making that difference. We prayerfully seek to be good stewards of the resources you bless us with.

Your belief in our cause, your ongoing support, and the generosity you’ve demonstrated to us over the past year are truly and greatly appreciated. Please consider a gift to support the DRR at this time.

For your convenience you can donate online at www.DirtyRootsRevolution.com or contribute your spare change through our CHANGE the World program – an easy way to give without even touching your bank account.

For more information or to discuss additional ways to support the DRR, please contact me directly at info@dirtyrootsrevolution.com or 618-267-5436.

Sincerely yours,
C. Ryan Mifflin
Director

Please note the Dirty Roots Revolution is a non-profit organization. However, financial contributions to the Dirty Roots Revolution are NOT tax-deductible at this time.

Changes to the DRR Homeless Outreach (Effective Saturday, April 10th)

Revolutionaries:

We are writing to notify you of some changes in our weekly Homeless Outreach that will go into effect THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 10TH.

Some of the changes will be explained in full detail Saturday morning. For now, the info you need to know is:

1) Volunteers attending the Homeless Outreach will now gather at the Dirty Roots Revolution HQ (otherwise known as the garage adjacent to DRR Director Ryan Mifflin’s house). The HQ is located at 615 East Oak St. in Greenville, two-and-a-half blocks east of Greenville College on Oak St. The meeting spot is marked with a DRR yard sign. This will be the permanent meeting spot – unless otherwise announced.

2) Anyone attending a DRR Homeless Outreach MUST attend an orientation session. These will be held weekly at 9:45 a.m., prior to the departure of the Outreach group at 10 a.m. Orientations will be held at the DRR HQ. You only have to attend once.

3) Anyone under the age of 18 attending a DRR Homeless Outreach must have written consent from their parents. Contact us at info@dirtyrootsrevolution.com and we’ll send you the form in advance.

Please forward this information to your friends who may be interested. Again, these changes to into effect THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 10TH. If you’re planning on attending the Homeless Outreach that day, plan to attend the orientation session at 9:45 at DRR HQ.

Thanks so much!
-Ryan

Semester in Costa Rica - by DRR Member Britney Villhauer

Britney Villhauer is a charter member of the Dirty Roots Revolution. She is a Greenville College student, conducting an internship in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. We occasionally share updates she sends us, to highlight global issues and to share ways that DRR revolutionaries are letting their lights shine to make a difference all over the world.
-Ryan Mifflin

For the past two weeks I have been trying to settle all of the issues and resolve all of the problems that have contributed to the political divisions, violence, and extreme poverty that plague Nicaragua today. … I have not come up with an answer yet. It is very frustrating for me when I am trying to save the world but I can’t. My recent trip to Nicaragua was an amazing experience although (or maybe because) it has shaken up my world and turned things upside-down on me. Things are not so black and white anymore and I have to admit I am not entirely comfortable with this new spectrum – reality. I can confidently report a very insightful and eye-opening experience in Nicaragua though it may not have been conformational on what is “good” and “bad.”

Our group spent the first couple of days in Managua (the capital city) having discussions and presentations on history and current issues. We even had a guest speaker Antonio Lacayo, a previous minister of the presidency during Violeta Chamorro’s term directly following the Sananista revolution. It was so amazing to be able to discuss the political future of Nicaragua with such an influential figure and he was very informative. I am so excited that we had that opportunity!!

We also visited a church in Managua that is experiencing a lot of division due to political issues. The church is covered with murals that depict God’s participation in the world today that is being challenged by more conservative religious leaders. But I have to say, that was the most beautiful church I have ever seen in my life. The indigenous murals were so symbolic and moving.

We also visited a protest community of previous banana plantation workers. They are struggling to receive legal compensation for health concerns caused by a harmful chemical that the banana corporations knowingly used, Nemagon. Google it if you have time and are interested. This group suffers from cancer and sterility because the banana plantations wanted a cheaper product, even though this chemical was already banned in the US because of its known side effects.

After our chat with the leaders of the group, we were given some free time to walk around and tour the village of shacks. I had the opportunity to sit in a hut with some men while they were making beans and have a very powerful conversation with them. It was the most amazing experience of my whole trip to Nicaragua. I was able to connect with these men who were suffering under terrible conditions and we spent a good while joking around and getting to know each other. It was such a blessing to me that I can’t describe, but I will never forget it.

Then we were divided up in small groups to live in communities each with our own host families. I was in León , Nicaragua . It was fun to be able to spend time with families and see how they live their lives. They do a lot of sitting around! It was kind of difficult for me to be patient.

I was with a poor family; the pastor, actually, and I don’t have any idea how they are able to support themselves. They get outside help from sponsorships. But a lack of jobs is a problem that many people in Nicaragua are facing. They cannot support themselves because there are no job opportunities available. It’s not that they aren’t willing to work; they don’t have the opportunity to work.

After our home stays we got together again in Granada, which is a beautiful, touristy area of Nicaragua. My favorite part of our stay there was a boat tour that we took of the islands on Lake Nicaragua. We were visited by a wild spider monkey that boarded our boat, looking for food! It was pretty amazing!

Now that I am back in San Jose, I have a couple of days for spring break before our classes begin again. I am using this time to relax and rejuvenate for another hard two weeks of classes before I start my biology classes. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. I really miss everyone a lot and I am especially sad that I am missing my last semester at Greenville. But this is an amazing experience and I am so happy to be here.

MY NIGHT LIVING HOMELESS - by DRR Member Ethan Plumier

Ethan Plumier is a DRR member, a student at Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln, IL, and my cousin. Below is an excerpt from his journal, detailing a 24-hour period he spent living as a homeless person. NOTE: THE DECISION TO VOLUNTARILY LIVE HOMELESS WAS MADE BY ETHAN ALONE – WITH NO ENCOURAGEMENT OR INFLUENCE FROM THE DRR. WE BELIEVE THIS STORY IS WORTH SHARING, BUT AGAIN, THE DRR DOES NOT ENCOURAGE INVIDIAULS TO TAKE THIS ACTION. ANYONE TAKING SUCH ACTION IS DOING SO WITHOUT THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE DIRTY ROOTS REVOLUTION.
-Ryan Mifflin

Things are messed up. They have been, and unless we get up and do something, they will continue to be.

The sheer number that makes up the homeless nation of the U.S. and the treatment of said people makes me sick to my stomach.

I am a student at Lincoln Christian University and recently I heard a message given on teaching with authority and teaching by example. In this message the speaker was talking about his granddaughter and her knack for distributing her mother's authority and following her mother's example. She walked into the guest room one morning when someone was staying over and said in her toughest voice, "My momma says it's time for YOU to get up."

It's funny how we can give authoritative commands for the little things, but when it comes to the bigger things, we freeze up. It's funny how we can lead by example in the little things, but when it comes to the big things, we would prefer to follow rather than lead.

My friend Tevis and I decided that we wanted to do something. We wanted to quit following and lead by example, but we needed perspective. We made plans to "visit" St. Louis over our fall break this past November. We hopped into the truck and took off with nothing but a blanket each and the scraggly clothes on our backs, apprehensive about what we were about to do. We arrived in St. Louis, MO, parked the truck, and set out toward the shelter we planned on staying in.

We attempted to get into the shelter in the time that they allowed people in and we were turned away. No real explanation, just couldn't go in. We began to roam the area looking for potential spots to sleep for the night while also taking in what it is like to have nowhere to go. It is a humbling experience.

As we walked in our ratty, uncomfortable shoes, we had to take breaks every now and then to pass the time and allow our feet to rest. While on one of these breaks, sitting outside of a restaurant (it was just a little after dark) we began to notice people’s eyes. They were either keeping a constant “inconspicuous” eye on us, or trying very hard to ignore us. We stood and looked into the restaurant. It was a pretty fancy place; looked expensive. The people in the dining room were flashing us glances every now and then. Some with pity, others with disgust. It was obvious by this point by looking at the neighborhood that they were not used to the homeless. It never feels good to be stared at and stereotyped...but then again...we weren't exactly there to be treated like kings.

As people began to filter out of restaurants and into hotels, vehicles, and bars we began to notice different dynamics. The most offensive of these was the family. Now let me explain... there were multiple times that a family would be walking toward us and as we passed each other the father would conspicuously keep himself between us and his loved ones. I understand his motives, but that is a horrid stereotype to just assume that we were dangerous to his family. The least offensive of the nightlife dynamic were the bar-goers. We were spoken to on a few occasions by men and women outside of bars...they had maybe had a few drinks, but they were friendly. Kind of a switch from the "norm" eh?

We eventually encountered another problem...nature. Nature was calling and we HAD to answer. So with some money we were given we bought 60 cent donuts at a grocery store so that we could use their restroom. After we spent that, we were out of money yet again. We walked...and walked...and walked some more. We ended up in a lit park, laid down to take a rest, and were shooed away by the police. Again, this is understandable, but the rudeness we were shown was about the way you would treat a rat in your pantry. Needless to say, we moved on.

We eventually decided it was time to turn in. We walked to a church and found that the area surrounding the church and the library was heavily (HEAVILY) inhabited by the homeless. I wanted to do something, anything...but at the moment I was in a similar boat. We found a prime spot that was uninhabited; a four foot gap in between the church and a wheelchair ramp. We were completely hidden from the street and from the view of passers-by. Tevis and I laid back to back under our inadequate blankets with our feet in an unknown liquid that we called water so that we wouldn't dwell on it...it certainly did not smell like water...

We slept off and on...unable to gain warmth or comfort. We awoke at some point to hear someone messing with a homeless man and his things. Wanting to help, but unable to move for fear we laid there...it was one of the worst decisions I have made to sit there and do nothing. If I had the chance to go back and redo, that man wouldn't have gotten away so easily.

I awoke with the sunlight, rigid from the cold and sore from the sidewalk. I left Tevis to sleep and walked to an open store to use the restroom and get a little warmth back into my body. While roaming the aisles however, I became aware that I was being followed/watched by an employee who asked if I planned on buying anything. I admitted that I had no money to buy anything with and he escorted me out of the store. Apparently people aren't allowed to look without buying. I went back to our spot and found Tevis, rather worried at my absence when he woke up. We walked around yet again and ended up in the park across from the library.

There we waited until Ryan and the DRR crew arrived. He was so surprised to see me that he didn’t even recognize his own cousin! It was good to smile at that. After talking with him for a short time we went on our way so as not to divide his attention from his mission. We ended up crossing a bridge that we could look down through the bare rebar to the street below, and went to a McDonald's for a cheap sandwich and a much-needed water.

From there we continued on our way. From there we decided that we had had just about enough. One night we stayed. Just one. Some have to stay. All the time. For the rest of their lives.

It disgusts me that we can allow this to happen. I am just as guilty as anyone else, but I am ready to make a difference.

At the beginning of this post I told a story about a little girl acting on her mother's authority and example. I think it's about time we act on someone's example. Now, I don’t know who will be reading this but bear with me and please listen to what I am about to say, even if my belief system is different from yours. Give me a chance. I am not here to shove my worldview in your face.

The example I am talking about is the example of Christ. You want to ignore the homeless, the broke, and the downtrodden? Jesus was homeless, Jesus was broke, Jesus would have been shunned in our society the same that every other dirty, down on their luck, homeless person in America and in the world is.

The little girl from the story not only followed an example, but acted on authority. We have authority that we can act with. God the Father’s. The little girl said, "My momma says it's time for YOU to get up." She made me think with that statement...because we can say almost the same thing. "My Daddy says it's time for YOU to get up." Change the world. Love people like they have never been loved before.

Amazing Young People Represent the DRR

Revolutionaries:

It has been a blessed week at the Dirty Roots Revolution! In one week we’ve had several college and high school students come to us with a variety of original ideas for new ways the DRR can impact the world around us!

You’ll be hearing about some of these ideas in the coming weeks, but one is on the fast-track and we’d like to ask for your help.

An ambitious group of Greenville College students who will be either in Greenville or in the general around over their Spring Break have asked if they can conduct Homeless Outreach trips EVERY DAY over their spring break.

This could be time they use to take away from the business of school and get away from the hustle and bustle. But these young people, all regular volunteers on our weekly Homeless Outreach trips, want to give up every morning, March 15th through the 19th and use that time to bless, visit with, and love on their homeless brothers and sisters they’ve gotten to know in St. Louis.

We are thrilled at their dedication, compassion, and ambition! However, as we’re set up on a weekly distribution schedule, we don’t have the supplies to provide them with for a whole week.

First off, please note, these trips will NOT be standard Dirty Roots Revolution Homeless Outreach activities. The students will not be handing out full care packs or even individual items at the quantity we do on Saturday. They will be taking very basic supplies with them daily. For instance, we thought one day we could supply Pop Tarts and hot chocolate. One day could be donuts and coffee. One day could be soap and razors. Etc. We haven’t set anything in stone yet because that decision will have to be made immediately before the trips begin, based on the supplies and funds received.

This is difficult for me to say, but it is a factor: While donations of items (non perishable food snacks and toiletries) are certainly welcome and appreciated, if you would like to contribute to this specific project, cash donations might be the best fit for this project, as they will allow us the flexibility to meet the daily needs for the students as they represent the Dirty Roots Revolution for a full week of our Homeless Outreach.

Imagine the message these young people will be sending to our homeless friends. Our brothers and sisters on the street are ALWAYS amazed that our volunteers willingly give several hours each Saturday to drive an hour away to be there for them. And now, when they could be on “break”, these students choose to continue that work through a full week. Hearts will be touched. Lives will be impacted.

Please consider supporting these students in their efforts.

If you would like to give, contributions can be sent to the Dirty Roots Revolution, C/O Ryan Mifflin, 615 East Oak St., Greenville, IL 62246.

YOU CAN ALSO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS ON OUR WEBSITE NOW! LOG ON TO WWW.DIRTYROOTSREVOLUTION.COM AND ENTER YOUR DONATION IN THE SPACE PROVIDED AT THE LEFT. YOU CAN USE YOUR CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD OR A PAYPAL ACCOUNT.

As always, thank you so very kindly for your generosity to the Dirty Roots Revolution. No matter how you are involved, YOU are changing our world for the better!!! YOU are making a difference!!!

JOIN THE GENERATIONS PROJECT & MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

The Dirty Roots Revolution is founded on the idea that one person can make a positive difference in our world – and that they can make that difference through small, easily-achieved efforts.

Our Homeless Outreach has proven that a quick trip to St. Louis, a few hours on a Saturday morning, and a small bag of snacks and toiletries can truly change the world for one person, on that one day.
With our next major initiative, we’re seeking to prove that you don’t have to leave your own hometown to make a major difference for someone.

The Dirty Roots Revolution Generations Project will partner interested revolutionaries with interested residents of one of the two long-term nursing facilities in Greenville (Helia Healthcare and Fair Oaks) or one of the two local retirement communities (Emerald Pointe and The Glenwood).

Once we have our list of interested volunteers and residents, we will partner them up, based on their answers to several questions. A “kick-off party” will be held at each of these four facilities, to introduce these new friends in a group setting. From that point, the sky is the limit!

DRR volunteers will be provided with the resident’s address, birthday, and personal information, such as their favorite flower, the favorite candy, etc. Volunteers will then be asked to visit their new friend periodically, write them occasional letters, send them holiday greetings, etc. It is our hope that as these folks get to know each other, a beautiful relationship will take place and they’ll be able to continue without the guidance of the DRR.

The name “Generations Project” implies that this is a cross-generational effort. It is true we perceive that the great majority of DRR volunteers will be from younger generations. However, ANYONE is welcome to participate in this program.

If you’re hesitant to participate on your own, ask a friend to do it with you as a pair!

This is open to families, sports teams, youth groups, Sunday School classes, and any other group you may be a part of.

To sign up, please contact us at info@dirtyrootsrevolution.com or 618.267.5436. We’ll have a few questions for you to answer that will help us match you up with your new friend.

Interested individuals need to be signed up by Wednesday, March 17th. Once all entries are in, we’ll make partnerships and set dates for each of the four parties. We’ll contact you with more specific information at that time.