Day 4-5: Jackson, Mississippi

After New Orleans and Oak Alley, we drove north to Jackson, MS and the John Perkins Center for Reconciliation and Development and its guesthouse: The Antioch House. After getting unpacked, we went out for the world famous waffles at the Waffle House with Andrew Koch who is the Assistant to John Perkins.

John Perkins is one of those rare people who have not only experienced the harsh realities of discrimination in its most brutal forms, to the extent that he was beaten almost to death and jailed. He is rare in that he has been a consistent, positive voice of Christ’s love in the pursuit of racial equality. After 50 years of carrying this message, he is a man of uncommon hope, optimism and energy.

The following day, Andrew had set up what we thought was going to be a brief meeting with John. We walked over to his house and found him in his blue overalls managing some of the business of the Center. He had us sit down with him and his wife Vera Mae in their kitchen and ended up on a full range of topics for four hours.

Of the many topics covered that morning, the two most impressionable were his comment of Sunday morning being the most segregated time of the week, and just listening to him and the vision and energy he has for doing the work God has laid before him regardless of age. And this is exemplified in his vision for retirement communities of saints who, in the autums of their years, are assets to the King in using their lives and skills in positive, constructive ways for others.

Regarding Sunday morning being the most segregated time of the week in America, Perkins continues to challenge the American church (black, white, Latino, etc) to work more collaboratively to break down the walls of segregation that separate Christians by reaching out beyond their own comfort zones engaging fellow believers in loving others and serving Christ.

After the four hour meeting, John invited us to attend a lecture he was giving at the Mississippi Christian Legal Association at the Mississippi College of Law the following morning. That evening, we went out for the best and messiest (redundant I know) barbeque ribs we have ever had (see picture for proof)

And after that, we went to the state capitol building for a brief walk around. The legislators were in session, and before we could say “zippidy do da”, a lady asked us our names, told us to go sit in the balcony and she would have us introduced to the floor of House of Representatives. In amazement, we did this and sure enough….they did….two guys from the Seattle area where the salmon is delicious….. Oh Well. They are real friendly down there. They turned and waved, we waved…it was real friendly.

It was quite a day.

The following day, we took John up on his offer and went to the lecture. There were about 30 lawyers, former politicians and the former governor. One major take-away on this, was John said that for leaders to really lead their people, they have to experience the pain of their followers. (You must immerse yourself in their struggle, not just empathize, or sympathize, but engage in. )
(There was so much more…. We will just have to relate the other great nuggets once we see you and if you are interested.)

We left Jackson full of appreciation of a man (and his wife) who have stood the test of beatings, harassment, pain, jail, etc to do the right thing and at 78 years of age, John really has the joy of the Lord and very positive out look on life.

Our next stop was just out side of Jackson….Vicksburg; one of the cities that was the beginning of the end for the Confederates as Grant and Sherman began their march with superior armies and supplies through the South. They had resurrected a Civil War iron clad warship called the Cairo, which visitors and walk through. Very neat, have to go back sometime.