Junglescape

In back of the van was full of teenagers and luggage, the tools were in the U-Haul we pulled behind us. We were late, but we had made it. Through the windshield, which had be spattered with an abundance of bugs, we could see the dark red brick building, which would be our home for the next few days. We pulled into the dirt lot, causing as to rock back and forth with its unevenness, into the midst of cars and church buses. We made it.

The youth of Milwood United Methodist Church, some of their parents, Richard, the leader, Greg and I, all tumbled out into the yard. Before we grabbed our luggage, we went inside and find the out what awaited us. Giant black walls had been stretched to the ceiling of the gym, separating the boys from the girls. Most of the floor was already covered with air mattresses and sleeping bags and dirty clothes. Not far from the gym, was the "shower". Panels of old wood had been thrown down on a patch of ground in a section of the backyard, which quickly became wilderness and mountain. Around this wood was hung more black plastic, which was not unlike the walls of our communal bedroom. Over this wall hung the hand held shower head, which had been rigged to a hose. It was a little disconcerting how much light came in through the gaps in the walls. A sign on the wall, just inside the school, gave the shower schedule of boys and girls time.

We would see the cafeteria when it was time to get our group assignments. Low uncomfortable tables in a mint green room. We spent more time making our lunches here, almond butter and jelly, than we did eating. This also became my first stop every morning as I could count on getting a cup of coffee here. The group I was in was with Steve, Kristina's dad who I got to like quite a bit on this trip and Kristina, Tracy and Katie, the three musketeers. These were less my youth, and more my friends. I couldn't wait.

That night the college kids who were running the worksite put on a worship service. I don't remember a lot about about the worship service, but one piece of it I am reminded of often. The very charismatic leader of the team, pulled up a stool and set down with just him and his acoustic guitar. It was very, MTV unplugged. His curly hair was perfectly unkept. His tee shirt dirty. He tells us he was going to do an old Crash Test Dummy's song, which I think is a little strange, as the only Crash Test Dummies song I knew at the time was mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm.

"...But Clark Kent, now there was a real gent, He would not be caught sittin' around in no, Junglescape, dumb as an ape doing nothing...". He sang the slow song about Superman, but it wasn't just about Superman, it was about being a hero is what you do. It was about us, who were here to bring a little light to the people of the town.

To this day, I love listening to the Crash Test Dummy's in part because it reminds me of this performance and I tell you, if you song is about Superman, it is automatically going to get a few extra stars from me.

Location:Civic Center Dr,Southfield,United States