Wednesday's Update

Hello y'all senders from OSLC. I am going to tell you about our great day of fellowship here in Jackson, Mississippi. Here is how our day went:

We started out the day with Sam (Voice of Calvary's volunteer coordinator) giving us a tour of major areas around us in West Jackson. The first stop was literally right across the street from the house we are staying in. This area is known as West Park. Once one of the most crime laden areas in the city, VOCM, Habitat for Humanity and others aided by local law enforcement tore down a huge tenement housing building and removed/busted almost all the major drug dealers in the area, leading to a 50 percent drop in crime rates in the area and giving peace to the community. They also built a building run by a church to help local people get quality dental and health care for an affordable price. This complex also includes a recreation center and gymnasium. 

We next went to Olin Park. This was one of the most sin-filled areas in all of Jackson, where prostitution, drug deals, and assault and other crimes occur daily. The apartments back up right onto the campus of Jackson State University, and most of the neighborhood is going to be purchased by the college and repurposed for on campus housing. 

Next we went to The Old Capitol Museum and heard some of the history about Mississippi as a state. 

Lastly, we went to Medgar Evers' home and heard a description before and during his life as a civil rights activist. We also toured his house.

At noon time, we went to lunch at Koinonia coffee house, which is where we have been having our lunch everyday during the weekdays. We then heard a talk from the owner of Koinonia, named Lee, about God's faithfulness and making her dream a reality and how He helped preserve her business in the 2008 financial crisis. We then finished our meal and prepared ourselves for the worksite. 

We went to the work site which was at the house of an elderly couple, Bobbye and Greg, and helped paint their house and replace their severely damaged floor in the kitchen (the floor was literally collapsing) and completed most of the house. We are on a busy street, so it is very easy to be able to tell people about Voice of Calvary and about God's faithfulness. We also have prayed for many people walking on the street, many who are homeless. 

Thank you for all the prayers and continuing support during our mission trip! 

In Christ,
Matthew Klouse