Its not easy being green.

Environmentally green that is. But we here at the Perkins Foundation believe, as stewards of the Earth, that it is our responsibility. God gave us dominion over this world and with that responsibility comes the duty to among other things conserve water, recycle, drive less, use less electricity, garden and compost. We’ve taken a number of small steps to make it easy for our staff, Zechariah 8 families and Perkins Center children to be environmentally friendly.

For our Zechariah 8 families we’ve provided recycling bins and a schedule of things they can do to easily play their part. Jackson recycling services picks up twice a month and we’ve also created a recycling drop off for our families here at the Perkins Center. We’ve also begun our community garden project where our Z8 families can plant, tend to and harvest their own produce.

Our children have started a recycling program with Capri Sun through which they collect used packages and get a refund from Capri Sun that goes towards the Afterschool Program. They also recycle their bottles, cans and paper and help sort the recycling that comes in from our Z8 families. They also help water and tend the garden during the program.

For our staff and Perkins Center facilities we’ve changed all of our lightbulbs to energy-saving bulbs, try to use natural light during the workday and utilize the garden and compost. We hope to build our first “green” house in the near future. Wayne Perkins is in the process of learning how to do just that! If you or someone you know might want to help us please contact our office!

We encourage all people, Christian and non, to think about their relationship to the Earth and thoughtfully pursue how you can be part of the solution to the environmental problems of our time.

As part of our “Meet Me at the Well” gathering each month we’re adding a weekly Wednesday noon prayer time. We’re praying at noon because that is when Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well. We want to join Him there because we’re thirsty — thirsty for a mid-day drink.

This “meeting” will take place on a conference call and will only last 30 minutes as we want to respect participants’ time and schedules. To join the conference call each week:

Dial - (218) 339-2500
Enter Access Code - 805585 followed by the “#” sign

Please email your prayer requests to Elizabeth Perkins before the end of the day Tuesday each week.

Hearing Dr. John Perkins discuss the ministry of the John M. Perkins Foundation in Seattle, Washington last year was enough to motivate homebuilder Ryan Anderson to join the ministry’s cause of rebuilding communities. Through Dr. Perkins’ message he caught the vision of the Foundation’s Zechariah 8 Community project and wanted to help.

So in January 2008, Anderson and 11 employees of the Seattle-based R.W. Anderson Homes came down South to renovate a house on Voorhees Ave. in West Jackson.

“God has truly blessed my business. I believe He blesses us so we can bless others. All we have is His anyways,” Anderson said. As he began to reap the harvest of a successful business, he began to ask God how he could show His gratitude. He felt God telling him it was time to give back and last year he and his staff went to work alongside the people of Uganda.

This year Anderson and his team of volunteers decided to give more money towards the work project instead of airfare and volunteer in the United States somewhere. Many of them worked extra hours to raise money for the trip and all were supported in some way by families and friends in Seattle. With the money they raised they paid their own airfare and donated a substantial amount to the Voorhees home.

Jackson resident J.W. Sturgiss was delighted that the group chose to come to Jackson. He lives across the street from the renovated home and has seen people move in and out for the past two or three years. He said after the original homeowners lost the home, different families have rented the property and let it fall into disrepair.

“The house was really in bad shape,” said the 73-year-old Jackson resident. “These young people have come in here and done a wonderful job on the house. Everything is looking really nice.”

The volunteers, in their 20’s and 30’s, were excited about the opportunity to beautify the home and provide a home for a needy family. They also enjoyed meeting some of the families living in the Z8 community. Among them were Angela Andrews and Rachel Bratton, who prepared meals for the group during their stay.

The two women said it’s the least they could do for the group who left their homes, wives, fiancés and children for a week to fix up a house for people they don’t even know. They both said that despite working from early morning to late at night they always saw smiles on their faces.

“They didn’t have to do this, but they did. Willingly,” says Angela Andrews. “They were also wonderful with my twin boys. God bless them all!”