Murder at Tall Oaks

My name is Simone Carlton, and for the jury, I will recount the events of the last 30 hours. At approximatley 10:30am on Saturday of July 23rd, 2011, the Ypsilanti Catholic Urban Project missionaries joined the Flint CUP team for a fix-up project in Flint. At approx. 4:42pm, the group came together for prayer and then relocated to the Saint Michael rectory for what was supposed to be an evening of merriment and leisure. What they didn't know was that Mr. Reginald Ascain had been MURDERED. Of the eight Ypsilanti missionaries, one of us did it. But who? It was up to us to tread through lies and grimdark secrets to find out whodunit.

Last night, the Flint missionaries hosted a Murder Mystery dinner for us. In the end, I was revealed as the murderer, and we had a wonderful evening.

Earlier that day, we were indeed at a fix-up project together. By the end of the fix-up, we couldn't help but be pleased at all we had accomplished that day. Tom rented a 30 yard dumpster for us to use that day, and we needed most of it. I started in the basement, carrying things to the dumpster and then sweeping up behind us. Then, I moved to the garage. The garage was like a very large dumpster. We ended up moving about 95% of the contents of the garage into the dumpster. The garage went from nearly full and awful to nearly empty and clean. We then put up new lights and house numbers on the front porch and repainted it. A lot of work was done, and we could see the difference it made. One of the granddaughters of the homeowners came home and said in delight, "We have new house numbers! I can't remember the last time we had all four numbers up!".

Although all the physical work was great, we knew that the most important thing we do at fix-ups is to pray. Tom offered another great reflection. People ask why we go into Flint to work. There is so much work needed in this city, why even try? Tom responded "I think we made a difference to you and your family." as he motioned to the homeowners. All we have to do is worry about the little things God gives us to do, and he will handle the rest. God made an impace in their lives. Let us pray that He continues to make an impact in ours.

Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever.

-Anthony Smela