Little Rock

We met so many fantastic people in Little Rock.

Our adventures began before we even left Dallas - as we were waiting at the Greyhound station, we met some really interesting people. One person was on their way to Tyler, Texas to work at a fair. He was traveling with only a broom and dustpan. And about halfway through our trip, two plainclothes police officers came on board and took someone off the bus. They cut open the passenger's pillow, and pulled out a large package of what looked like cocaine. I could not imagine being that person in that moment - knowing there was no turning back. After we made it to Little Rock, our friend Penelope picked us up from the station.

After relaxing for a while, we headed out to a dinner Center for Artistic Revolution was hosting in support of two women who had been harassed and physically assaulted by a sheriff's deputy. CAR is helping to raise the funds to pay the couple's legal fees as they file an action for civil rights violation. After the dinner we got to speak to the women for a while, and also met some cool young folks who live in Little Rock and participate in CAR's Diverse Youth for Social Change program.

We spent Saturday catching our breath and hanging out with Penelope, Jeremy, and some new friends. There was a Chili cook-off, a great cafe called The House, and hanging out down by the Arkansas River.

On Sunday we went to New Beginnings Church (after going to New Beginning Church without the "s" and realizing we were in the wrong place!), and shared the mission of Sanctuary Collective, and I sang a song and played guitar. I chose "If We Are the Body" by Casting Crowns, because I love how the chorus describes very practical ways the church can embody Christ in the world. You can see a video of the performance on Facebook. The congregation was wonderful and welcoming, and had set up a jar in the back of the sanctuary to collect donations for us.

They also took us out to lunch afterwards, where we found out that Wincie and Becky, a couple who has been together for more than 30 years, are traveling to Iowa this week to finally make it official! They will travel back home with a marriage certificate. Becky said she never thought she would see the day that she'd be able to marry the person she loves.

On Monday, we got to meet with Randi from CAR for a much longer conversation than we had been able to have while the dinner was going on on Friday. She shared with us the history and structure of CAR. The focus they have on addressing multiple forms of oppression through their work with the LGBTQ community is an exciting model, and we are looking forward to keeping in touch as both organizations grow and develop.

As we travel, it's so interesting to see how every location has its own distinct personality. And everything is happening so fast that by the time I get to write about one stop, there's so much to say about the next place already. I want to record everything I can so that we can remember the stories and support we have gotten, and the things we have learned along the way.