Reflections...

So, it will be a week tomorrow since we have arrived home from Jackson. Everyday since then I have been thinking about all the things we experienced and took in. I feel as though each and every person that went on this trip has taught me something different about myself and I want to thank them for that. God is definitely at work in me and I'm sure each person has been significantly changed or their eyes have been opened to something they have never seen before. I have to be completely honest with you...it's been really hard for me to open up and tell people about the deep conversations we had in Jackson and the intense experiences we shared together because I feel as though no one can fully understand what I'm talking about unless they have experienced it for themselves, but the thing is I can at least try. It's just like a lesson I learned while on the trip, "do hard things." I realized as a Christ follower God will call me to do hard things. Being obedient to God comes with a cost, sometimes i'll have to sacrifice something I might not want too. Being in Jackson made me realize how good we have it here in California and how blind we are to the realities of injustice--social injustice as well as racial injustice. Now that I've been made aware of what's going on, I can't be silent and I can't sit still. It's my responsibility to help make a change and stand for justice. But I can't do it alone, I need Jesus to help me. I don't know exactly where to start but I know getting the community here and in our school active in being aware of their own injustice against others is just the first step to a better tomorrow. Our actions are a reflection of our heart and what's on in our heart. John Perkins told us, "Take your light of love and shine it in the world."

Zechariah 8 (The Message)

Rebuilding the Temple

1-2 And then these Messages from God-of-the-Angel-Armies:
A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies: "I am zealous for (Jackson)—I care!
I'm angry about (Jackson)—I'm involved!"

God's Message:

3"I've come back to (Jackson),
I've moved back to (Jackson).
(Jackson's) new names will be Truth City,
and Mountain of God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
and Mount Holiness."

4-5A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies:

"Old men and old women will come back to Jerusalem, sit on benches on the streets and spin tales, move around safely with their canes—a good city to grow old in. And boys and girls will fill the public parks, laughing and playing—a good city to grow up in."

6A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies:

"Do the problems of returning and rebuilding by just a few survivors seem too much? But is anything too much for me? Not if I have my say."

7-8A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies:

"I'll collect my people from countries to the east and countries to the west. I'll bring them back and move them into (Jackson). They'll be my people and I'll be their God. I'll stick with them and do right by them."

9-10A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies:

"Get a grip on things. Hold tight, you who are listening to what I say through the preaching of the prophets. The Temple of God-of-the-Angel-Armies has been reestablished. The Temple is being rebuilt. We've come through a hard time: You worked for a pittance and were lucky to get that; the streets were dangerous; you could never let down your guard; I had turned the world into an armed camp.

11-12"But things have changed. I'm taking the side of my core of surviving people:

Sowing and harvesting will resume,
Vines will grow grapes,
Gardens will flourish,
Dew and rain will make everything green.

12-13"My core survivors will get everything they need—and more. You've gotten a reputation as a bad-news people, you people of Judah and Israel, but I'm coming to save you. From now on, you're the good-news people. Don't be afraid. Keep a firm grip on what I'm doing."

~KATE MATTHEWS

Flight Adventures

Thoughts from 30,000 feet

Have you ever feared for your life? Well, Allie and I (Abbie) thought we were going to die on our way to Houston. Prior to that after getting to the airport we found out that we were going to be delayed for an hour and a half; we thought that was going to be the worst part of our day, but we were wrong. Sadly we were wrong because we hit horrible turbulence thinking we were going to crash. Luckily, we are ok but now we are a little scared for our lives. ☺ And as we were going through this really scary time for us, Alex Wright was sleeping the whole time! We had no idea how he could because it was so bad, but for some reason he did. Well that’s all for Abbie and Allie. See you when we get home.



I write to you from the airplane that nearly killed us all. It was a very bumpy ride to Houston but we made it safely. We are now on our second flight into LAX. As I sit on the plane, I reflect on the experiences I had in Jackson. This past week we had in Jackson was absolutely amazing. We all had a blast. There were many pranks played on us, most of which included us getting soaked head to toe. I learned so much about God, social injustice, and myself. I learned that service is about glorifying God and showing others God’s love through my actions and words. I knew going into this trip I would learn and experience new things I had never experienced before, but I didn’t expect how much I would learn or how amazing those experiences would be. God spoke to me about my calling as a Christian to love and care for his people. I learned that racism still exists, but it isn’t the only type of injustice present today. I prejudice against people who lead different lifestyles than my own. I ignore a kid at school because he may be different than my group of friends. I ignore the poor and homeless that I see everyday. One of the main topics we discussed in Jackson was how to apply what we have learned on this trip back at Ontario Christian and in our communities. I realized there is so much I can do to help. I never realized that talking to kids that may feel left out or sitting at a different table at lunch could be considered doing justice. I hope that our team steps up and helps the people that need it. I also found hope in my generation. The group of teenagers (and leaders) that came on this trip inspired me. They challenged me in so many ways. They asked questions that made me think about my relationship with Christ and how I live out my faith. They were also extremely fun to hang out with. We had a blast working hard this week and I know we made valuable friendships centered around Christ. Well, I better stop typing because the computer battery is about to die. We look forward to seeing all of you at home and telling you our stories.
Jessamyn Libolt

last one at least from me...before we go to SONIC.

So basically this week was pretty much AMAZING.

As i sit here waiting to eat the "greatest food ever" (according to everyone around me) I think about everything that has happened.

Everyone is really SO MUCH CLOSER. Its kind of like a little family. Well, actually its kind of big.

Anyways, this morning was John Perkins last discussion with our group before we got ready to go. We talked about David singing the Blues. Something that really hit me that i had never noted before was David's cry out to God in Psalms 22. He had so much despair when he wrote this Psalm that the man that i once saw as invincible, God's Chosen one, the great leader actually became human for me. I used to see him as so extraordinary and yet he went through the same struggles every person in the history of mankind has gone through. He felt neglected by God because he had helped his people so much but he himself did not feel His presence. JP said something so important: There is ALWAYS hope. At the end of the tunnel there's always this light. No matter how impossible it may seem it is ALWAYS THERE.

I think that on our way home something to think about is the struggles we are going to encounter going back to our homes. We're going back to the place of comfort and the shelter that at times may hold us back. The group as whole is going to face problems at school and in our individual homes. The thing we need to keep in mind is to have HOPE. Through this, we will have motivation and God will give us the strength to continue on this journey. This trip to Mississippi is only the beginning. God has just started to make us aware of the world we live in and the power he has. Whether we do this as a group or (i'm going to talk to the seniors for a sec) as we go to College and on our own way.

HE IS ALWAYS THERE. THROUGH THICK THIN. EVERYTHING.

THANKS TO THE TEACHERS AND EVERYONE WHO WENT ON THIS TRIP.

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH,

CAROL.

His Presence

We have learned a lot about service so far on this trip, but last night the Holy Spirit showed us how powerful service can be through community. After an inspiring devotional session, some of the leaders saw the impact that the message had on us and invited us to continue sharing our thoughts and questions with one another. What we didn't know at the time was that the pull in us to further the conversation was really God tugging at our hearts. It is difficult for us to fully explain how overwhelming and life-changing God's presence was that night. Through cracking voices and rolling tears, we all realized that we are never alone in our struggles with sin. Although we may be at different places in our relationships with God, we all are strongly connected by one unifying factor: His presence in our lives. The tremulous trials that so easily entangle us were all made valid in the scripture that seemed to touch us all by its relatable truth: Romans 7:14-25

"I have been sold as a slave to sin. In fact I don't understand why i act the way i do. I don't do what i know is right, I do the things I hate...I discover something fighting against my mind and it makes me a prisoner of sin that controls everything I do...Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me."
Through our raw confessions, we reached new heights with our relationships with one another and most importantly, with our understanding of God and the significance of fellowship. We truly love each other (even the next morning, with four hours of sleep and swollen eye lids).

We came, we saw, we blogged. Ariana, Chad, and Noelle.

Transformed.

Tonight I have discovered something I believe to be so powerful. I am scared to death to come home after this trip. I am scared that my peers and family might not understand just exactly how much I have been impacted here. I realized tonight that Jesus Christ transforming me and renewing my mind is an impact I can make on people back at home. I believe it starts with me. I have to grow my relationship with Christ. I want others to see such a difference this trip had on my life and ask questions. I want people to see radical change and transforming of my mind. I want to intrigue people by my tremendous amount of love for Jesus. John Perkins is such an AMAZING man. He completely fascinates me with all he has accomplished. He makes people stop and take a second look. John Perkins has made a difference because he lives to glorify God and love people. All day long all I want to do is ask Mr. Perkins questions and learn more about his life and his love for everything he does. I want to bring that character home with me. I want people to ask me questions about why I have such a love and passion for God and his people in my life. Tonight I realized I'm scared out of my mind to go home, but I know all I want to do is make people WANT to know why I'm different and how they can too.

-Hailie

Second Blog Video!!

-On monday we toured around Mendenhalll and Jackson. No exciting pranks today, well, at least none on camera.

About the Video

I don't really like to type a lot, but I do like to film. So here is just a short clip that I made last night. Hopefully we'll have more!

-Alex

Our First Video Blog!!!

new to me, maybe old to you

What i found so refreshing about my Easter Sunday this afternoon didn't take place this afternoon at all. It was early this morning when Dr. Perkins came and did devotions with us before church. I thought that this morning was so different because of what JP was sharing with us about the christian faith. Lets be honest, most facts and ideas about our religion have all already been written down as truth, but what John Perkins had to to say to us this morning was different. He was talking to us about Easter weekend, particularly Good Friday, and how it isn't actually the good day at all. Whaaat? My first thought, in all honesty, in first hearing these words was basically "excuse me? John Perkins is trying to disprove something about Christianity???" And then i realized, that is not what he was trying to do at all. The more i listened to his words and the more I heard what he was saying, I realized that was exactly what he wanted us to think he was saying, so that we would proccess everyy word he spoke and really THINK about them. The scriptures say that Jesus had to be dead for three days, and in their times a day consecrated an evening and a morning. Well, in this case, its impossible to be burried on Friday and raise on Sunday, and still fullfill the prophecies. Basically, all that JP was telling us, (or at least what i got out of it) was not to let our religion be held down, or held up for that matter, by symbolism, or the "facts." What is important during the holidays, ( which the actual days, he reminds us,  are chosen by men) is to remember the reason we celebrate them. to remember Gods love, and plan for us. That is why we celebrate Easter, because He is alive in us and around us. Not to cut the Ham.

We are only 2 full days in to this trip and already its been amazing. If we left tomorrow, my life would already be changed. Last night alone was just so awesome. I learned so much from all these amazing people here. All the different opinions teach so much. These people i've gone to school with for so long, never before had i seen this side to them. I loved every minute of it. We've all had so much fun bonding and spending time together. 

This morning JP came and did devotions with us. I love listening to him. He's such an incredible man and i respect what he's done so much. 

I cant decide if church or the rain storm were my favorite part of today. i loved the church we went to. i just wish i wasn't so tired. the message wasnt the typical easter message. and communion was an experience for us all with the so called wafer. that didn't taste so pleasant. then ari and i went across the street and sat in rocking chairs on the porch of that house. we talked for about an hour and half about everything imaginable. and all the while we watched the thunder and lightning crash around us. 

i cant wait to see how much more i am going to learn from JP and all these amazing people around me. this week is going to be so amazing.

-alex bekendam

Thundering, Lightening, Easter Egging

"Rain, rain, go away come again some other day." Crackling, screaming, pouring down rain. That is pretty much was Jackson consists of as Sarah and I sit on our comfortable little couch. A once peaceful atmosphere now shows of bolts of light and thundering sounds that invaded our once calm home. As we are about to play another fun filled game of group super bonding I am so grateful for the people God has surrounded me with on this trip. The way they see things in new lights and perspectives leaves me feeling incredibly blessed to have this amazing opportunity to enjoy by their side. We only grow closer with every group discussion, outing and experience. I hope and pray by the end of this week we become more than a team and classmates; we become family. A family fight for justice. I leave you now on the note that I love my Jackson family and stoked for the things God has in store for us. And so the thunder rolls on and on. 

I came, I saw, I blogged, I got struck by lightening- Hailie 

Love

WOW! We are in Jackson!  I am tired, but at the same time God keeps giving each of us a breath of fresh air that gives us energy and keeps us going. Even though I am far away I feel at home:) Looking back at last night, yesterday morning, and now Resurrection Sunday one word that keeps resounding in my head is "Love."  As I think about the cross I think of the ultimate love story to me and to all of us.  Jesus' whole story is amazing and what he did, he didn't give up, he took the hard way.  I cannot grasp or understand this love, this love that I do not deserve.  This love that I do not even know how to give to others. I need to learn how to live out that kind of love to... my family, friends, peers, teammates, and just anyone I come to contact with. This is the love that God showed by sending his only son and the love that Jesus showed by giving us new life, through his death, apart from sin.  This love never fails.  This love is powerful. This love can change lives, break through barriers, storm through walls of injustice, bring peace and strength to the persecuted, take away judgmental thoughts, give hope to the weak, bring enemies together, change society, and most of all wash away our sins.  And as christians we get the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus everyday by showing and sharing his love, how cool is that.  I think that is what gets me excited about being here and just in general serving others.   By just listening to John Perkin's speak you can see the love that he has for everyone, it overflows, and it is contagious. It is my prayer that we may share the love of Christ this week, but not just this week, I pray that this love would continue for the rest of our lives.

Sarah

Happy Resurrection Day

The people of New Calvary church greeted our group this morning with hugs, conversations, and tidings of Resurrection Day (rather than the "Happy Easter" that I've always heard growing up). It seems we've been challenged several times in less than 48 hours about our concept of Jesus and Easter. Even our message this morning was atypical from the "Hallelujah! Jesus lives!" message that I expect at Easter. Rather, because Jesus lives and is Lord of all, how then shall we live? The pastor said it best: "If Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all."

~Mrs. Cooper

Jackson has been awesome so far, and believe it or not, God has already spoken to me this early into the trip. Last night we were playing Catch-Phrase when things began to get a little out of hand. Alex Bekendam  decided to throw the timer at me for reasons unknown to everyone here. The projectile split my forehead and blood instantly gushed forth. I handled the situation with ease as I iced my wound. Then I began to think, am I going to have a bump on my forehead? That began to distract me until we gathered in a circle, reading about the crucifixion of Christ. We read about the horrific pain He went through and all the various medical conditions He had wrong with Him. I began to feel silly as I thought back three minutes prior when I was worried about getting a simple little dumb bump on my head. As I listened to Ms. Hoekstra read about Jesus and his countless lashings, his cardiac rupture, and his inability to even take a breath on the cross without suffering, I realized that it's not about me, it never has been and it never will be. Jesus is supposed to be our main concern at all times. Remember that this Easter, that Christ is to be our center of attention constantly, not just a few times a year or when we actually need Him, but always, through the good and the bad. 

-JG

OUR JOURNEY

Jackson has been AMAZING so far. 

The people we came with and who we are spending our time with are fun to be with and always make us laugh.

Like okay...We've been playing cards for the past like what...2 days???

The laughing NEVER STOPS. ITS GREAT.

We've been hearing from JP the last 2 days and what he has said has touched our hearts and has made each of us realize many different things. Every time he speaks it is like God is present and is using him to reach us. One thing that is stuck in our minds was when he told us he enjoyed speaking to us, that he likes listening to us. We each told him something we like about ourselves. After that, he talked to us about how to use those talents/abilities for God's glory. JP said that personally, he LOVES to teach Bible. When he speaks to us we can see the passion that he feels when speaking about the blessings God has given him and all of the work he puts into dedicating everything to God.

We know that God has put us here for a reason.

Now its up to us to open our hearts and minds to do all that we can do.    

With Love,

Persy and Carol

p.s. omid says hi 

What is more important than this?

On Saturday afternoon, John Perkins came to speak to us for a little while. He started talking about knowing when God is calling you. He told us about his own personal calling and what it meant to him. He talked serving others and ultimately serving God. He kept repeating, "What could be more important than this?" He was talking about him mentoring our team and us serving God. His calling was to be God's servant in Mississippi and to serve this community. 

Later on Saturday night, we read the crucifixion story and had a discussion about it. We read about all the physical and emotional pain that Jesus suffered. When I think about all that Jesus went through for me, I realized that there really isn't anything more important than serving Christ. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for me, so i want to give my everything for him. 

Dr. Perkins asked us what could be more important than serving God, and after we read the crucifixion story, I realized nothing is more important. 

-Jessamyn Libolt

Last night was amazing. What was expected to be a brief discussion about the crucifixion, turned out to be a time of openness, a time of fleeing comfort zones. I could really see the Holy Spirit through the statements of those around me. Earlier yesterday, I prayed for our team to get out of their comfort zones and to acknowledge the presence of God. God definitely answered my prayer. He empowered the Holy Spirit to speak through our group. One leader shared her response to me about the discussion. She said something like, "God can teach me through anybody and anything. Tonight, I learned from students that I didn't expect to say anything."  I love hearing about the unexpected things in life. It is neat to see God working through students like us to further his kingdom.

One thing that stood out to me about our discussion last night was the fact that Jesus died. Sounds obvious, right? But I realized last night that Jesus death was probably the most important part of his ministry. It doesn't matter how He died on the cross, but that He died on the cross to save us from our sins so that we may live eternally in His presence.

Another amazing thing that I took from our discussion last night was that Jesus' body was unable to handle the pain and the distress in the Garden of Gethsemane. But Jesus said, "not my will, but yours be done"(Luke 22:42). Jesus didn't want to go through all the pain and the suffering, but He wanted the will of his father to be done, even if that meant dying on the cross.

So this morning, on this Easter Sunday, let us rejoice that Christ the Lord is risen!

~Chad Westenbroek

My Reflection on the Crucifixion Story:

Unrecognizable. That's what the Bible used to describe our Lord and Savior.

Unrecognizable. There as He lay on the cross, limp, covered with raw and dried blood from hours before.

Unrecognizable. After hours of being beaten, tortured, mocked, degraded, and left for nearly dead. 

Unrecognizable. Said to not even been seen to look like a human being.

Unrecognizable. To the point where He wasn't seen by his peers as the man He was. 

As i write this, i feel like it's all too eerily familiar. Jesus, the very man who underwent extreme agony to save the very lives and souls of those who outright disobey and deny Him, is still as unrecognizable in many ways today. 

In our current society, everywhere we turn, people deny Jesus, and His love for us. They don't see Him for who He is. They don't recognize the unconditional love He had and has for us. They don't recognize the ultimate sacrifice He made for us. They don't recognize Him because, just like 2000 years ago, the truth is covered in sin, earlier as blood. Denial and deception, earlier as the scars and scorns of mockery and hate. Society's tainting on our lives, earlier just as the wounds that masked Jesus' figure. 

In that same way, Jesus' love, salvation, and truth are all covered and made unrecognizable. 

As I write this, I have to ask myself, "whose fault is it?" Are we the ones

making Him and His love for us unrecognizable? Are people turned off by His message

of salvation because we are Christians who are tainted and covered with deception?

We say we love Christ, and claim to be Christian, but we live and act like someone else behind

closed doors. We sin, act two-faced, and muddy the image of Jesus for those who

do or don't believe in Him. Are we the blood, sin, and wounds that taint the message

and image of Christ. 

The reality of the whole situation is this: Are we making Jesus

UNRECOGNIZABLE?

-Noelle Beesley

Our Identity

I've been thinking about something John Perkins said this morning when he stopped by this morning for an introduction.  He wanted to meet all of us, to know our names, not because he would remember them but because he knows a name is important, it gives a person an identity.  He also asked us to tell something we liked about ourselves.  It's something that makes us uncomfortable, either because we see it as pride or perhaps because we don't want someone to disagree with us.  But what a powerful experience to hear each person of our team talk about such significant things as finding joy in the little things, being empathetic for others, appreciating and celebrating the quirkiness in others, and so many others.  What powerful gifts to use in God's Kingdom!  It is not only in our personal name that we find an identity, but it is our identity as Christians that defines who we really are.  It is through Christ that these gifts have meaning.

~ Mrs. Cooper

Uno mas?

Spanish seems like a theme in this blog as well as on this trip- in the form of a card game that has nothing really at all to do with the Spanish language. A card game which is currently being played rambunctiously and with fervor (at this point, it seems we do almost everything in this way) around a round table after an eclectic, international meal of Chinese chicken salad and bread sticks with marinara sauce. But I swear we do more than sit around playing card games and eating various meals from around the world. After an adventurous car ride (which included TWO sightings of Sonic, the endangered species of fast food chains) the team played a spirited game of "two hand" touch football at the Reservoir Park. "Two Hand" is in quotes because, apparently, everyone's definition of 'two hand' is different. It's okay. We embrace diversity here in Jackson. After the game and after The Decapitators dominated despite the ultimate score, we relaxed around the Reservoir/Lake, taking pictures on the dock and searching for alligators. And now as the screams of the numero uno resounds in the house, celebrating the last day of Lent, I think I speak for everyone on the Jackson team when I say that tomorrow is Easter and we're muyyy excited! 

I came, I saw, I blogged; Ariana :)

Devotions

We just finished our first time of journaling and devotions this morning after JP (John Perkins) came. Alex and Ariana are washing JP's car right now. Miss Hoekstra and Miss Vanderwal are out shopping for groceries right now. We love this new blogging thing and can't wait to write more later. Paz afuera...literally peace out. 

Chad, Sarah, and Senorita Kleinsasser. 

This morning after a wonderful breakfast JP came over and spoke to us about some of his life experiences. We admire the way he answered the questions that we asked, with a mixture of seriousness and comedy. It was a great time of self reflection and getting a side of our peers that we've haven't experienced before.

we came we saw we blogged; Eli and Omid

Arrival in Jackson, MS

We are here!

After an arduous journey of stop-overs in Denver and Houston, two plane changes, games of Uno, noisy roller coaster motions at takeoff, Jordan's initiation to the world of flying, airport racing and blowing whistles, a bag of peanut M&Ms, two lost vans, two found vans, excellent driving, knowing exactly where we are, and lots of laughs and overheards... we are finally in Jackson!