12/27/2024
We don’t normally share construction stories, but I was encouraged by several to tell this one. Names have been changed, but the story is the same: 👍🏽
I met Rosa on September 11, 2023 in Minneapolis. Our DuPont Avenue garage had just been built, and we were preparing to use it as a storage and staging place for new windows in 3 houses. She and a family member were on their parking pad off the alley next door. They appeared quite curious about all of materials being unloaded.
I invited them over, and through the use of electronic translators we talked of the new homes The Fortress Project was building. We discussed the possibility of new neighbors, and walking through new construction. I asked if she’d be willing to help keep an eye on our sites. She nodded with excitement. This began a comfortable relationship of kind waves and happy smiles, in a very unstable area on the north end of the city, whenever workers were onsite.
For months, Rosa has been instrumental in keeping an eye on our new build on Dupont Avenue. The garage there stored expensive building supplies and materials for nearly a year. Many times, throughout two summers, she had texted me with pictures, video, or statements, telling of hooligans breaking in or weather threatening our materials.
One evening, she promptly called the police when she saw neighborhood youth tear open the garage to use as a Saturday night hangout for smoking and drugs. Looking back through my texts, that day she wrote to me:
“Hello, good afternoon, excuse me for bothering you. I'm writing to inform you that a group of young people opened the garage they built. They enter to consume drugs when they see us that we are outside the house. They throw stones at my children and me, regardless of hurting anyone or damaging the cars with the material of your project. I tell you so that you are aware of what is happening. Apologies for disturbing”
I could see that the video she sent to me was secretly taken from behind the cover of a person standing near her. It was clear she’d be in danger if it was discovered that she had informed me. One of the guys and I went out at sunrise Sunday morning, to discover the garage wide open to the alley. None of the 40+ windows or other materials were missing or damaged. We counted it a miracle!
At each build we did our best to keep all the materials we needed out of sight, because theft and damage were a constant threat. One Friday, a storm with high winds and pounding rain was shredding the tarps protecting our trusses and panels stored on the lot next door to Rosa’s. She sent me a video, and a note. The next morning, Saturday, I was able to recover our supplies. Nothing had been damaged or taken. Two small children waved at me through her window, as I climbed onto the pile of building materials to secure better coverage.
Another time, after our walls, windows, and doors were in place, she sent more video. This one featured 3 mischievous kids digging into our building supplies, climbing on construction equipment, and throwing debris. She wrote to me in several messages:
“Hello, good afternoon, I'm very sorry to bother you. A group of guys are entering the house they are building and it was heard that they are throwing stones at the windows that the workers put…the noises make a lot of mischief, they even grab things from the inside and damage them…I'm sorry if they have damaged the window.”
Again, this was a dangerous endeavor. The repercussion of the boys being caught on video by her, would likely put her own children at risk. I arrived the next day to discover a window was broken, and some water bottles taken, but no other damages. She sent several more, similar communications, through the months as well.
More recently, December 23, 2024, I had a most humbling experience with her. I had sent a text to Rosa the Monday before Christmas, asking if I could take her shopping. “…we just want to express great appreciation for your kindness and help with our project,” I texted.
She met me in front of her house, by my car, about an hour later. Through the translator app on her phone, she informed me that she did not want to come with me initially, because she was embarrassed and ashamed. It was actually her husband that had encouraged her, saying she should not refuse the blessing offered. God is good, and He had made this opportunity for her.
As we drove I would speak into her phone, asking many questions. The phone would translate, and she would respond in text. I learned that in 2022 she, her husband, and their 4 children had walked from Ecuador to the U.S. border. One of her daughters was less then a year old. It had taken many days, and she was 8 months pregnant at the time.
She described danger, hunger, and exhaustion. She told of loosing track of one of their daughters at some point, and the desperate search to find her again. Making their way from bus station to bus station on foot, they had come to America for an opportunity to live better.
I learned that her husband works at a kitchen. She told me they had not gone Christmas shopping, and did not have gifts. When we arrived, and walked into Target, I picked up a cart. I said she could shop on her own, and gave her a rough budget she was free to spend. I offered to wait for her, if she wanted. Instead, she asked if I would come with, and help pick gifts out. I was glad she did!
We developed a list of family members on my phone, and as we put items in the cart, we’d place a 👍🏽 by them. Walking through the toy isles, stopping at each item she liked, she’d see the dollar amount and look at me. Again, she told me she was embarrassed and ashamed.
I smiled and said it was ok.
She picked out dolls for 2 of her daughters, a Disney princess outfit for another, and a jewelry making kit for the fourth. She wanted my thoughts for her son’s gift. Together, we picked out some dueling, remote controlled robots that looked pretty fun! I also added a couple games her family play together, to the cart.
For her husband, she picked out a black zippered hoodie. I suggested socks too, and she agreed. With all the boxes checked, I asked what she would like. She indicated a warm jacket. We found a very nice, light colored coat with zippers and a button front. She smiled and nodded, when I suggested we get gloves too. She must have thanked me a dozen times. Then, we brought the cart to the checkout. I asked for extra bags, expecting we might use them for wrapping paper.
In the car again, we had more conversations. She described her concern for being deported; what would happen to her family and what might happen to her parents, that lived with them now. I made some suggestions and said I would help in any way I could.
When we arrived at her house, I offered to bring her packages to the porch. She knocked on the door. There was a brief delay, then several locks were undone and the door was opened by her mom. Standing with her were 2 of her youngest daughters, with big brown eyes, and big smiles! She said thank you again, and hugged me.
Using her translator once more, I asked to talk with her children for a moment. I told them their mom was a very special lady who had helped our company a great deal over the past year. I said The Fortress Project wanted to bless your family because she had been such a blessing to us. Then I told them thank you and Merry Christmas!
I was very moved by the whole experience. It made me even more grateful for the men I work with, the example each of them are, the faith we have, and the prayers we share. I know I was blessed to be in such a position to impact lives on the front lines of Minneapolis. Along with many frustrations has come many joys and blessings.
To those who read all the way through this, thank you!
I hope you had a Merry Christmas!
May God grant you His peace in the new year.
Pr Jack
