11 Students 5 Adults 4,200 Miles 3 Flights 7 Cities
Day 2
Charleston, SC to Atlanta, GA
We started the day in Charleston at 8:45am led by Patricia Johnson, on staff with the Navigators on the military base in Charleston. Patricia facilitated our reflection on our historical tour of Charleston we took the day before. As we look to understand the roots of injustice in history, she asked use to consider the following questions: Who or what determines your history? Through what lenses do you interpret history? Is there more than one interpretation of history and who’s do you believe? How does your history impact the way you see yourself? How does history impact the way you see others?
Before departing Charleston we went to Emmanuel AME Church to reflect on the violence that occurred there in June, 2015 and how we understand the present realities of race relations in the context of the historical race injustices we learned about.
Before departing South Carolina we visited a tobacco field to spend time reflecting on the whole of a slaves experience from coming into the port of Charleston to where they would spend the lives in many cases. We read Psalm 137 and read Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen as we stood in the field.
Our next destination took us to Atlanta, Georgia directly to Woodland Hills Church. There we met Arthur Breland, head pastor at Woodland Hills Church, in SE Atlanta, and engaged in a Tuesday Night-esqe dinner. We were joined by a leaders from Navigators, One Race Relations and other local leaders who spoke about their passion for racial reconciliation, discipleship, diversity in leadership, and more. Apprentices provided their story and passions, Niki shared a spoken word and Arthur ended the night praying for our apprentices. It was a powerful night.
We then were hosted at the home of Rachel and David Smith and their three boys. They generously hosted all 16 of us in their home, and provided coffee and breakfast for us. So thankful for the incredibly generosity we’ve witnessed on this trip!
Next stop: Alabama- Birmingham, Selma and Montgomery
