So many times I have taken for granted things that I have truly been blessed with. I have so much to be thankful for, even when I do not feel like it. I am reminded of that every time I leave the comforts of my home and drive down the street just a little ways and see a city where I used to reside in, a place where I grew up, a place where I went to church, and a place where almost everything you wanted to do was right there at your fingertips. Many people can look at Jackson and say, "That's their problem, let them fix it." The truth of the matter is, we are called to reach out a hand to our brothers and sisters. We are called to speak to the nations. Why not start right here, in Jackson? As Jesus was ascending into Heaven after His resurrection, He told us that we were to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the rest of the world. Our Jerusalem is right here – the City of Jackson.
I cannot help but think of one of my favorite songs when I go and serve alongside the team at Mission First. It was most definitely on the forebrain this year after serving during the Christmas season. The song says, "Jehovah Jireh, my Provider you are more than enough for me. Jehovah Raepha, you're my Healer by your stripes I've been set free. Jehovah Shammah, You are with me you have supplied all of my needs. You are more than enough for me." This year was a little unique for me. My first time to serve at Mission First was a little over a year ago. After leaving there that day, I knew there was something about that place that I truly loved. I totally felt a presence of God in and through that area, even though most would say it is a place of poverty and darkness. Since then, I have participated in different service days at different ministries in the Jackson area and I went to Kenya this past summer. After hearing that my church was doing a choir tour in Jackson, I was so excited. I knew what that meant. I knew we were headed to Mission First, before even hearing the places we were going.
The Christmas Store was just an amazing end to a great weekend. My weekend started that Saturday after waking up at Mission First. Several of the members of the Pinelake Worship Choir spent the night at Mission First that Friday night. We were joined by several other choir members along with the 5th graders from the church also. We assembled in the multi-purpose room for devotion, prayer, and to get our job assignments. I signed up before that morning to help with the setting up of the Christmas Store. I began envisioning what we were doing, why we were doing it, and what were going to be the implications for doing what we were asked to do. As we were working to get all of the items ready for the store, I just felt that we were going to be a part of something that was HUGE! I knew then that I wanted to come back for a definite to see it all put together. There are so many times that we do things to help others and never get to see the outcome of what we have done and how it impacts those we have helped. I did not want this to be one of those times.
After arriving on campus that night and going into the multi-purpose room, where a little over 72 hours before looked nothing like a winter wonderland, I was seeing the end product to what had already begun. I could tell that lives had and definitely were still being touched. It was a place where parents of the children and adolescents in the afterschool program were getting Christmas delivered to them, in which would not have happened if it would not have been for people donating. Not only were the parents getting the necessities for their kids, they were able to give a few fun things also. More importantly, these parents experienced a love that could not have been shown if it weren't for the Holy Spirit reigning down on that place. Many people got to hear the Truth for the very first time, while others were being reminded of the Truth. The Christmas Store was definitely a place that lives were continuing to be changed for people in the West Park Community.
Not being there every day or even once a week, I don't know everyone's story. I do know they all have one. As I looked around the room waiting to help families get items for their family. I saw a lady so touched that she was crying. She could not believe that people would do this for her family. As I saw Mallory Rosamond, Children's Educational Director, embracing her as she was standing there crying tears of joy, I could not help but think "now this is what life is all about". This is just one out of many stories that could be shared from people that were all across the room. We are called to love and serve God, first and foremost. We are also called to love and serve people. How can those who are blessed, not only by earthly things, but because we are Children of God, not do things to help their neighbors out? Through helping them, it is showing them the love of Christ. The City of Jackson is not Jackson's problem; it is part of our problem too.
While some can say the not so nice things about Jackson and turn their back on it, I cannot. Lives are being changed there just like they are anywhere else in Mississippi, the US, and other parts of the world. It starts with God's people saying yes to something that He has called them to; and that is to go tell about Him and show God's love through our lives. I love Chris Tomlin's song God of This City. It is a constant reminder that we are God's people and He is going to take care of His people. It says, "You're the God of this city. You're the King of these people You're the Lord of this nation You Are. You're the Light in this darkness. You're the Hope to the hopeless You're the Peace to the restless You are. There is no one like our God." My most favorite part in it is where it says, "For greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this City. Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this City." God's not finished with the City of Jackson. There are too many things going on in Jackson to bring glory to the Kingdom of God. I am truly blessed to have been able to be and continue to be a part of what's going on in Downtown Jackson.
- Jennifer Crane, Christmas store volunteer
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