AIRPLANES AND INSPIRATION

Last week Twannisha Gilbert, James Stewart and myself traveled for what seemed like an eternity until we finally arrived in Raleigh, North Carolina for the annual CCDA (Christian Community Development) Conference.

The CCDA has been an inspiration to me for years, and it’s possible that OLC would not exist were it not for the examples and stories of people like John Perkins, the founder of CCDA.  In North Carolina, we gathered with approximately 3,000 other leaders from around the country to be inspired, network with other leaders and learn from veteran practitioners.

For Twannisha, it was her first time on an airplane, and thankfully she was not at all worried when we circled the Raleigh airport in a grey storm for far too long before landing.  She took part in a young leader track that included bus trips to local colleges such as Duke and North Carolina State, workshops with some of CCDA’s best teachers, Go Kart adventures and getting some quality time with 84 year old John Perkins, even time for some selfies with Dr. Perkins himself.  On the last night her crew of young adults were invited onto the stage to be prayed for by the crowd.  It was a beautiful moment in time.

James and I attended several workshops about leadership in teams, organizational development, fundraising, sports leagues, mass incarceration, racism and more.  Main session speakers exhorted us to keep going in the midst of the tension, chaos and pain in our world, from Ferguson to war to the drug trade to unaccompanied immigrant children.

It struck me during our trip, as I slid the OLC credit card through the machine to buy us lunch, that this trip would not be possible without the faithful support of so many of you who believe in our work and contribute financially.

Thank you to everyone who supports us in any way, financially or other.  We appreciate your support.  I am so truly glad that we could provide an experience like this for James and Twannisha, and we plan to continue to develop young adult leaders from East Oakland in a variety of ways as we move forward.

Peace,

Nate for OLC