Words cannot begin to express my deep appreciation for each one of you. My mind and heart are still reeling from the Kairos experience of the past 4 days in Pendleton state prison.
Our team of 42 men had the privilege of spending the weekend with 42 offenders. As we went around the room Thursday evening and gave introductions, I remember seeing a few of the men and thinking, "that one looks pretty tough...not sure anything is going to happen with him this weekend." I love it when God proves me wrong!
Friday was spent talking about choices, understanding that we are not alone and how we can open the door to God.
By the time Saturday came around, learning about tearing down our walls, our daily greeting and departing had moved from hesitant handshakes to hearty hugs!
We loved...we listened...we loved some more.
Saturday night, accepting the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us, acknowledging that we all need forgiveness...and to forgive...the men began to understand what unconditional love really means.
Sunday at the closing ceremony, by which some of you blessed me by attending in person, we got to see men stand up and tell their stories. The transformation that we saw in these men from Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon was truly a miracle. Some of the most hardened and bitter souls at Pendleton, were changed.
As a team we:
- brought in 2,493 DOZEN chocolate chip cookies (that's 29,916 cookies!!), baked from scratch and prayed over by many of you; the men ate and ate and ate, but we were also able to hand-deliver a dozen cookies to each man at Pendleton, walking into their cells and telling them that God loves them
- prayed all weekend; the prayer chart was filled with so many of your names, many taking multiple spots, which allowed me to point your name out to offenders so they could understand you were real people; "that's my Dad, my uncle and aunt, my friend from high school, my sister, my mom...and it goes on and on
- used hand-colored placemats...over 1000...for each meal with the most beautiful drawings and words from children of all ages; we had extras which were used as wall hangings to decorate the gym where we met each day
All of you were on my mind at one point or another throughout the weekend. None of this...NONE of it...could have happened without every single one of you. As I look through your names, I can think of ways that each of you has played an important role in my heeding God's call into this ministry. You may think, "What did I do?"...next time we talk, just ask me and I'll remind you.
- You cared for me
- You forgave me
- You took care of our family
- You encouraged me
- You connected me to someone
- You listened
- You baked cookies
- You prayed
- You loved someone I love
- You gave up your treasure
- You brought others to support me
- You inspired me
- You were patient with me
- You called me out when I needed a reality check
- You were an example to me
- You were a friend
- You gave me joy when I had none
- You loved me
I am humbled and blessed.
As you consider the role each of us...you and me...played in this weekend, let me share a thought.
Imagine that a friend gives you a beautiful piece of furniture, an amazing work of art that he created out of raw wood. He built and carved it with care, using his hands and a set of tools. It is a marvelous work; sanded, polished, stained to a deep tone. Upon receiving this gift, relishing its beauty and value, to whom would you give honor and thanks? Would you honor and thank the tools? No. You would give honor and thanks to the creator.
The team on which I served this past weekend; all of us are just tools. Give thanks and honor to God, the Creator for His hand in this mighty work.
Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Amen and amen!
