an interview with Melissa Newton-Mora

Last summer the Bethany Youth Group spent 9 days in Tylertown, Mississippi to help with Hurricane relief and establish relationships with the community at a local church called Holy Temple Ministries. We wrapped up our time by heading up to Jackson to talk with our friend John Perkins and work at his community center. This was our second trip to Mississippi and was an effort to continue our partnership with John Perkins and his ministry of racial reconciliation.

This summer we will be heading down to Pasadena to visit another John Perkins’ ministry: the Harambee Center. Last summer, in preparation for their trip, the youth read Perkins’ book Beyond Charity, which chronicles how he established the Harambee Center intentionally across the street from the busiest drug corner in Pasadena.

In order to get a holistic picture of how Christians are serving the community of Pasadena we will also be partnering with 3 other ministries but will keep the Harambee Center as our home base. For more information about their ministry, visit their website at www.harambee.org.

Melissa Newton-Mora served with the BPYG in Mississippi last year and will also be traveling to Pasadena this summer. Recently I had a chance to conduct an “e-interview” with her to get a student’s perspective on the mission trip experience. I trust you will enjoy her unique perspective.

Why did you sign up for the 2006 summer mission trip to Mississippi? 

I signed up to go to Tylertown because throughout middle school youth group I had seen the upper-classmen go on these amazing trips. I saw pictures of their abnormal excitement on the mission trips. I wanted to see and experience all of that joy.

You read Beyond Charity by John Perkins prior to the mission trip. What do you remember about that book?

I remember having a new concept on how to reach out to those who are less fortunate than myself. I was able to understand how a (negative) “charity mentality” can develop and how I can contribute to that.

We went to Tylertown, Mississippi to help people who had property damaged by hurricane Katrina. What kind of work did you do in Tylertown?

We did tons and tons of yard work, every thing was totally over-grown. We got to take out the chainsaw and just cut it all up. There was also tons of garbage. Once when our plans did not follow through we ended up simply filling garbage bags full of trash.

What was your favorite part about being in Tylertown?

I loved the difference in culture. The way they worship, it’s so loving. I sang with them and talked with them, I thought to myself, “Is there any way I could feel more of God’s love?”

What was the hardest part about being in Tylertown?

The hardest part was putting aside my own weaknesses and needs caused from being away from home and selflessly reach out to the people there.

What do you remember about Glen Allen (the pastor of Holy Temple Ministries…the church we served at in Tylertown)?

I remember his stories—he came and spoke to us several times. He would explain things that he had to deal with based on the color of his skin. He talked about the difficult e-mails he would get, and how much harder he had to work to get things for his congregation.

What was it like to spend time with John Perkins?

It was so awesome, like hanging out with a famous person. I felt like everything he said had so much to it. It was overwhelming but so exciting.

Overall, what did you take away from the trip to Mississippi?

I learned the importance of staying aware of the other things in the world. I had no idea there was still racism in the South. I thought there was tension between races, but not to the point of being a daily obstacle. I live in Seattle. Here most things are accepted. Before Mississippi I really don’t think I understood the pain in the world.

What new insights do you hope to gain from your trip to Pasadena this summer?

I hope to gain insight on how to love others unselfishly. To love because that is what I’m here to do, not for the things it will get me.

How was your relationship with God strengthened or tested during your trip to Mississippi?

I could see God working there. His presence was so obvious--it was an amazingly reassuring feeling. It also made me learn to trust in God. A horrible thing had happened to Mississippi, it was a time when many people were angry with God for splitting up their family and destroying their homes. In the hardship God was still there. I often forget that.

How can the people of Bethany be praying for you?

They can pray for the strength of the group.
For us to all work to the best of our ability.
Also that we can see what God is trying to show us in Pasadena.