Spring break in Jackson part I

This is a sign in front of the Perkins Foundation.

This is John Perkins and me.

My roommates and JP.


Our team t-shirts.

I thought it was about time I start blogging about my trip to Jackson, Mississippi this past Spring Break. I will try and write in order - and for right now I'll only post the first few days, and some pictures, and then when I have time later I'll post more. (disclaimer: the following includes quotes from people I met, quotes from my personal journal, and lots of questions I had stirring in my head and heart during my time in Jackson. If it seems scattered - that's because it is.)

(Good) Friday

*Arrival in Jackson after a long day of bus rides, plane rides, and van rides.

*Excerpt from my journal: "Reconciliation. Relocation. Redistribution. Rehabilitation. The work of restoring broken spirits - to partner alongside of the victims and go at it with them."

Quotable: "I know exactly where we are." -Ms. Vanderwal (in the van in front of my van - I was blindly following, thinking Ms. Vanderwal should know the way - she has been here before...)

Saturday

*A day of rest and community building. We hung out at the volunteer house (where the girls slept) and then headed to a park for some football. That evening we read through the crucifixion story - in the words of Albert Tate - pastor of a church in Pasadena where my roommates go to church. Began a discussion about "Doing Hard Things" as it relates to bringing social justice and reconcilation to our world. In light of the crucifixion story - Jesus always did the hard thing.

*Excerpt from my journal: "And over it all - it was a choice. Jesus' love, servant-hood, suffering, quietness, non-judgement attitude, the way he didn't yell back or acuse, or the way he wasn't arrogant - it was all a decision he made. Jesus chose to take the high road."

Easter Sunday

*This morning before church we had devotions with John Perkins. (from my journal): "Great leaders take on the pain of their followers. We Christians must absolve the flames for the sake of being peacemakers."

*We attended John Perkins' church - Voice of Calvary. We listened to a sermon by a man who, to me, looked a lot like Barack Obama (which made me want to listen more...interesting...) (from my journal): "God created the church to be a safety net to those who are falling through the cracks. He is Lord of all or not Lord at all."

*Easter Egg Hunt: The students ran around the park across the street from our volunteer house - a park that John Perkins set up to be a safe place for kids in the neighborhood to play at after school (why aren't we doing this more?

Monday

*Devotions with Lowell Noble - retired professor of sociology, author of the book, From Oppression to Jubilee Justice.

*(from my journal): "Memorize Amos 5:24 and Luke 4:18-19. Also check out Isaiah 58 and 61 - Jesus wanted to institute Jubilee to mean release of oppression. Biblical justice = creating access for all people to resources. Think about visiting the Delta. Freedom - if not followed up by justice - is no freedom at all."

*Watched film, Mississippi Burning, difficult and gut-wrenching to watch.

*"People aren't born to hate, they're taught it." "Hate can age you." -Elizabeth Perkins (daughter of John Perkins, founder of the Z8 ministry).

*Letting injustice happen = guilty.

*From our discussion and team devotion time that evening...

*How are we intentionally breaking down barriers?

*Challenge = follow Jesus closer and begin to change. It starts with a few people. It is done in community.

*Chase after your Savior. See more of who He is, and allow it to change me.

*Don't see people for their social position - don't put people in a box!

*Do hard things. Daily. Find what's hard and do it. It will daily shape your character.

*Root of injustice = lack of seeing things from others' perspective.