Jackson Mission Trip Update: Wrap Up

What an amazing week!  We are tired, but our hearts are full of love and hope.  As we have talked a bit today about our trip, it is apparent that we are all different now than we were a week ago.  We have seen, experienced, and learned so much – and the youth have seen passion and commitment for the gospel, justice, and reconciliation lived out.  They have been inspired to go back home and live that out in their community, their schools, and our churches.  They are truly the leaders, not only of tomorrow, but also of today.  We ended our evening tonight by blessing and commissioning the youth to go back home and continue to live with intentionality, a commitment to love and justice, and a boldness to believe that they can change the world.  While we may be ending our mission trip to Jackson tomorrow, this is not the end of our mission with or service to the world.  Now the hard part begins as we return home, back to our daily lives, and seek to serve like we have been this week.  We attended Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans this morning, and we were struck by the Gospel lesson – Luke 10:25-37.  This is the story of Good Samaritan.  We have certainly met new neighbors this week, and have begun thinking about who our neighbors are at home.  The story ends with a profound instruction: “Go and do likewise.”  I can almost here Dr. Perkins saying that to our group.  He lives a life of immense passion and commitment and we have all been inspired by his life and his work.  But we did not go to Jackson simply to see and learn about another part of the country.  Now that we have seen that rich community and reconciliation is possible, it is now our time to “go and do likewise.”

Missy, Gabbie, Claire, and Jacqui served as acolytes at Trinity this morning!

After church, we went on a tour of the Ninth Ward, the area hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina.  There are still areas that have not ben rebuilt…whole streets of lots that sit empty.  It was humbling to drive down streets where floodwaters covered a whole community.

A levee along the Mississippi River in the Ninth Ward.  The water regularly rises to the top of the levee on the right, leaving the community below the water level.

A newly rebuilt house in the Ninth Ward with empty lots on both sides.

On a different note, we had an amazing evening at Will Bush’s cousins house for dinner and a much appreciated swim in a cool pool.  It was a very fun evening for our group to just relax, enjoy some amazing New Orleans food, and laugh together.  We even had an impromptu synchronized swimming contest.

 I don't know if this synchronized swimming move will get Kyra to the Olympics

Such beautiful form and synchronization!

We will be getting up early in the morning to clean our house and then head down to Café Du Monde for their world-famous beignets (French doughnuts) and some shopping in the French Quarter.  Our flight leaves New Orleans at 4:30 and we’ll be back in Seattle in time for some sleep in our own beds!  Prayers for safe travels would be much appreciated!