After finally leaving the hotel at around 11:30 AM, I was feeling a little lonely on my rainy drive through Natchez. After pulling into the Natchez Trace Highway historic site, I read about the history of the trail, which had first been used by the Native Americans, and then later build to connect to Nashville when it was the last frontier. I ended up talking with this older couple from Ontario Canada, who invited me to join them in their RV for lunch. Good conversation. Good food. The rest of the drive on the beautiful highway was beautiful, first listening to Ron Sexmith, then to a podcast of On the Media. At one point, I took a left and ended up a little lost. I stopped into a country store to ask for directions, and wanted to stay and hang out with the locals. It was definitely a different culture, but of course I just said thanks and went on my way. By the time I got into Jackson, I had finally connected with Mixon and Imhotep, my two local contacts. I drove out to the christian ministry school and met Imhotep and his roommate Devon, both very cool people who are living the word in the best sense. It was refreshing to talk with them and agree about how so much of our mainstream culture is over-commercialized and void of spiritual meaning. I was also happy to find common ground with regard to how many religious leaders, out of touch with the spirit of Jesus, focus on judging homosexuals and others, when Jesus is all about love and acceptance. At 6pm, we went to Pentacostal service. Even though I had actually been to a Pentacostal service once before during college, I was a little nervous for the talking in tongues, etc. When we arrived, Imhotep said that he liked to sit in the front, and so I went with him. Within the first minute, he and Devon were both going full out dancing in the front. Instead of feeling weird and uncomfortable, I found myself clapping along and freeing the white booty a little with the crowd. I realized that if I was at a party, I would have contributed my full energy, and I might as well do the same wherever I am. I didn't understand some of what was happening, but since this trip to the South is as much about listening as it is about sharing myself and my work, I opened myself up to the experience. The preacher gave a long sermon that at times was not that cool, talking about submitting to the authority of the church / head / man (and not thinking for yourself), but overall it was a positive experience. Afterwards Devon, Imhotep, and I went to McAllister's Deli and had some great food and talk. In the two of them, I may have found one of the things I was looking for on this trip: Christian leaders who are concerned by the concentration of power in this country and want to help build a dynamic and diverse media network for the future. After that, I met up with Amanda Mixon, who has a great new truck (like most other folks here in Mississippi), and we stopped by her parents house, where I'm sleeping tonight, and went off to a chill gay bar and had a Bud. Overall, the first adventurous great day of my trip. It's great to be with such different, interesting people. Hope tomorrow is just as cool.