Jackson Mission Trip Update: Day 3

We have made it through day three of the mission trip!  Time is flying as we are taking in so much about truth and reconciliation and God's love in the midst of it.  This morning we were blessing to have not only Dr. Perkins come to speak to us, but two men who had lived through the Apartheid in South Africa and another man living as a Christian in Pakistan (which is only 1% Christian).  They spoke of the oppression they face and the hope they have for reconciliation.  They talked of their struggle to love instead of hate and how they find an example in Jesus.

From foreground to back: Dr. Perkins, Willie (South Africa), Esau (South Africa), and Rashid (Pakistan)

After breakfast we got to go on a living history tour of John Perkin's autobiography, Let Justice Roll Down.  It was truly a gift to see his book come alive.  We walked the streets he and others marched, saw the center that he built that is still functioning today, and learned about other civil rights leaders.  We also had interesting conversation about the ways that racism is present in the structure of Mississippi.  Most statues of eagles point north, but when the city of Jackson built its capitol they placed the statue of the eagle pointing south, because they believed that nothing good could come from the north.  The eagle still stands on top of the capitol facing the south today  The MS state flag also has the confederate flag as a part of their state flag.

 The group walking up main street in Mendenhall where blacks marched for civil rights

The state capitol dome and the MS state flag

Amidst all of this heavy discussion we also had tons of fun.  Including an incredible traditional southern lunch, which I think we can even call homemade cooking at a restaurant near where Dr. Perkin's grew up.  The people who owned it were so welcoming that they hugged each of us on our way out.

The group outside of Kountry Kitchen in Mendenhall

Then in the evening we had a panel discussion on racism with Dr. Perkin's, his son, and the operations manager, Thad.  The youth got a real chance to participate and dialogue with these wise men.  It was a joy to be a part of.

The youth (and adults) are slowly getting used to the heat and the bugs.  I think we might just go through whole day tomorrow with no complaints.  We will have to wait and see on that one.

Tomorrow we will be participating in the chapel service by learning some of their songs here and teaching them one of ours and then back to work for us!  We will finish up the two jobs we started on Monday.   In the evening a woman in the area who works at an Episcopal Church will come and tell us how her church serves the city of Jackson.  Stay Tuned.

- Meghan Mullarkey, St. Margaret's