By Jessica Elliott

We worked in Tylertown for 3 days, worshiped with the congregation at Holy Temple (an exciting glimpse of a different way of worship), and experienced the speed of a small southern town.

Then we went to Jackson. Some of the local youth we talked with in Tylertown shared that they were frightened by the violence and crime in Jackson. I didn’t really take those comments to heart, but they came back to me as we were driving to the Perkins Center and witnessed a hit-and-run within 5 minutes of our arrival. It was a stark contrast to the relatively crime free Tylertown. Jackson did provide one of the highlights of the trip for me, however. I got to meet the amazing John Perkins. J.P., as even his son calls him, met with us on Sunday night and again on Monday morning.

His hope for the future of Jackson and beyond was inspiring and extremely humbling. To hear him talk of his future; how he hopes for at least four more good years to continue the work that he loves. The man is 76 years old and his prayer is that he can continue to work! He spoke to us with passion and strength, and a love for the Lord and His children. His charge to become authentic missionaries, by just lovin’ on people, has stayed in my thoughts since our return. I pray that we can all find the love for each other that J.P. showed to us during our brief time with him.