A day in the life...

Monday, March 24, 2008

Mississippi 2008

I just got back from a week long trip to Tylertown, Mississippi. It was a wonderful trip. here are a few pictures to share with y'all (see how the southern accent sticks!)

We were a team of 9; myself, Jillian, Josalyn, Keith, Kevin, Beth, Anna, George, and Caitlin. We went to the rural town of Tylertown, Mississippi. We stayed at Holy Temple ministry church, under the care of Pastor Glenn Allen. We woke each morning at about 5.30am and after breakfast and packing lunches we left for the work site. Hammers in hand by 7.30am

We were introduced to Patricia and her son Taran. Patricia is very involved in the community, and as well as being a fulltime parent, holding down a fulltime job which she has to drive over an hour each way to get to, she makes time to visit the elderly in her community. She is a beautician, and until Hurricane Katrina, she had a small beauty shop on her property which had given her a second income, but also allowed her to bless those in her community by helping them prepare for job interviews and other important events. Pastor Glenn wanted to bless Patricia and so we took on the project of restoring her beauty shop.

Patricia's parents also live on the property and their house had been very badly damaged by Katrina. All the crucial repairs had already happened for them but their front room had never been fully repaired, and so we pulled up the floor and repainted for them.

Grandma Ruby and Grandpa Lee were so blessed, Pastor Glenn told us that Lee had been so choked up on the phone when he was telling him how grateful they were to us fro helping them. I am so glad because they really blessed us. Grandma Ruby made coffee each day, and served it sweet - just like everything in Mississippi!!

We got to experience many southern delights, crawfish, fried catfish, hush puppies (corn bread balls, and peppers deep fried) as well as gallons of sweet tea.

We spent one day visiting Mendenhall, another rural town in Mississippi, made famous because it is the ministry of John Perkins, a special man passionate about racial reconciliation. Mendenhall is a town still literally divided by the train tracks in the middle of town. One side black; one side white. Mendenhall had many different projects, a school, a farm, a medical clinic plus many other programs to serve the community. It was an eye opening experience for us as white people who live in the pacific north west where racial divide is much more understated and hidden.

I have so many stories, and hope to continue sharing about my time with you all, but for now here are some pics... Enjoy!
Me trying crawfish - yum


Shopping at Piggly Wiggly!!

The start of our project


Cleaning the chairs for the beauty shop

We took some of the church members and friends out for dinner - fried catfish and fried frogs legs both made an appearance on the menu!

Me with Kevin, Anna and our new friend Taran

Pulling up the floor inthe beauty shop

George and Beth fix on the trim

the beauty shop

Hearing the story of Mendenhall

The team outside the John Perkins centre

A very tight van ride to teh mendenhall ministries farm!

Mudding hthe walls

Jill and I sample the local treats - sno balls, shaved ice and flavouring


Granpa Lee comes to see how work on the beauty shop is going

Laying the floor at Grandma Ruby's and Grandpa Lee, with Caitlin and Josalyn

Me at teh work site

Lunch break!

Eating chilli out the back of the truck - classy!!

The new shop is called Pretty ladies

We chose a pretty pink for the inside - the boys really loved it!!!

The finished result - team picture with Patricia and Taran

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Chrissie
Lovely to see the photos and hear about your trip to Mississippi. I was a bit worried when I heard you had been eating hush puppies, which, if you still remember, are shoes over here!!!
Patricia sounds a great Christian and it was so good that you could help her and her family. I try to imagine a little how she must have felt to have her home 'made over'. I am sure God will bless you all for that practical help and the encouragement you must have been to all the family. I saw a programme about Mississippi recently, so I could imagine the area a little bit.
Take care and may God continue to bless and use you. It's always thriling to have your news! Much love Meryl xxxx

2:32 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hi hun
Really enjoyed your photos and seeing how much blessing and love you brought into the lives of the people in that part of Mississippi. It looks like your team had a lot of fun mixed with the hard work!
I'm just so awed at how God is using you and stretching you as a leader - and as a house builder!
I love you so much, Mum xx

3:26 AM  
Blogger Clayre Turner said...

Wow! How awesome! HAHA Chrissie....you need some more south in your life! I LOVE hush puppies! YUM! glad you got to have some. My pop personally loves them smothered in thick maple syrup.
I am glad I got to see what yall did! It sounds like you had a great time. That area still needs so much love.
It warms my heart to know you were down south! :) I love you!
Clayre

6:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Interesting to know.

5:38 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home