This day had a plot twist thrown in to keep me on my toes!
I went to Emporia and picked Ellexia up at 11:30. We went to Applebees for lunch and then went to Five Below. At least, I think that is the name of the store. I had never been there before and hadn’t heard of it. I think I need to get out more.
Ellexia picked up a few things she needed for school supplies and then we went to Walmart to get the rest of the things on her list. I picked up a bag of ice and we checked out. I use self check-out and the lady came up as I was finishing up and said did you ring in the ice? I said I did and she said she didn’t see it. I showed her the receipt and she said it’s not on there. I said yes it was and showed her. It rings in as medium bags. She said that isn’t ice. I said check the numbers. She did and sure enough it was ice. She said I am going to tell management to change the name. She didn’t apologize to me about her attitude. Geez!
I took Ellexia home and then drove home. I was just finishing up putting the ice away when the Captain from the Center called me to ask if I could do a transport today. He had an ICE Detainee from China that needed to go somewhere so she could start her journey home to New York State. Initially he said I was going to take her to the bus station at Topeka but they don’t have a ticket office there. He said he would work with her some more and I arranged to pick her up at 3:00.
I went to get her and they had discovered she didn’t have her ID with her. It is at the Department of Homeland Security Office in KCMO up by the airport. Unfortunately, it would have been closed before I could get her there today. Her niece was going to arrange for a ticket for her so she could fly home to New York. She couldn’t fly home without her ID.
Not sure where she was picked up at but she lives in New York. She had no money on her and no credit cards. I told the Captain I would take her to a hotel by the airport and the Department of Homeland Security Office and pay for her to stay the night. I would arrange with the front desk to provide transportation for her to the Office in the morning so she could get her ID and then for them to take her to the airport.
We got part way to KC and she asked me to pull over. Using Google translate she said a friend of a friend lives in KC and they were going to arrange for a hotel room for the night and then would take her in the morning to where she needed to go. So I only had to take her to a hotel in Overland Park. That made the trip much shorter.
She didn’t speak much English and I speak no Chinese so I have no idea what her story was and how she ended up staying for a couple months in Chase County. She was most appreciative of the drive. Her friend put some money in my sweater pocket and would not take it back. I tried to explain what Love in Action is all about but she either didn’t understand or wouldn’t accept that there was no charge. I took the money and will add it to the pizza party event we are hosting for the Detainees in August. Not only will we celebrate my birthday but we will also celebrate her getting released. Not many do and I think it gives the ICE Detainees at the Center hope when one does get released.
What an honor it is to get to transport the released Detainees. She was so sweet and most appreciative. For tonight, I will rest knowing one got released as so few do.
I remember thinking about all the empty space I was going to have this week. So grateful I had the space to be able to do the transport today and didn’t even have to rearrange anything on my calendar. There is a bigger plan going on behind the scenes that I need to remember to trust!
No plans for the rest of the week or the weekend. Nothing on my calendar until Wednesday. Neither Kathy nor I slept much last night so hoping we both will tonight.
What a day. Spending time with released Detainees is such an honor. They are so very appreciative of a ride. I don’t know why ICE is allowed to just kick them out and not have to pay for transportation for them back to where ever they were picked up at. Thank heavens for Captain Whitney that helps his released Detainees get home.
Grateful for the opportunity to be in service to a released detainee, grateful for a safe trip to and from KC, and grateful for time with Ellexia today.