Good from Evil?

Karen Stone and Rita O'Kelley teach in the Wrightsville women's unit on Thurday evenings. Karen tells the following story:

The Purse

A while back my purse was stolen at a local fast food restaurant. My husband had picked me up at work and I had laid my purse down on the floor in the restaurant and forgot it when we left. When I realized what I had done I immediately called the restaurant but to no avail…the purse was gone, along with my debit card, driver’s license, and of all things…my IFI badge! How ironic was that!

Before I could make the call to my bank the thieves had already charged almost $1,000 on my debit card! Needless to say I was upset, but was not about to let the incident ruin my day. I made all the calls necessary and reported the incident to the police.

The day my purse was stolen was the day my friend Rita and I go to Wrightsville to volunteer (each Thursday from 7:30-10pm). On the way out to Wrightsville I told my friend about what had happened. Rita thought it would be a good idea to share my story with the ladies as many of them are serving time for stealing and it would be a good opportunity to let them see how this act affects the victim and I agreed.

When I walked into the IFI room one of the ladies approached me before I could say a word and asked me if there was something wrong. I said yes and that I would share later with all of them. She took me aside and prayed for me right then and there not even knowing what was wrong. I was very touched by her insight and concern.

Before our lesson began Rita asked if I wanted to share or if she should share so I could cry. I told her I was over the crying, and that it was just a purse and everything could be replaced…but to go ahead. Rita began sharing my story and before long I felt a hand on my shoulder…one of the ladies had come to comfort me. Then I felt another hand, then another…and before I knew what was happening I was surrounded by all the ladies in IFI…all in white and all singing a song to comfort me! They kept singing and as they did I made a point to look around at each woman in that circle and I saw tears streaming down their faces…even on the faces of the most hardened women who normally show little emotion during our visits. I was so touched…and in that moment I saw a glimpse of what heaven must be like…being surrounded by angels in white comforting me with their heavenly song…

THEN I began to cry…not about my purse but because I was so touched by these special ladies who were there to comfort me in my time of need. Wasn’t that the reason I was there for them? I shall never forget that moment.

After the song was over I was approached by one of the ladies who told me that stealing purses is what she used to do and that she was so sorry as she rubbed my arm and I thought…what God can do with just a purse…

God is great ALL the time!

Almost Out

What's a person thinking about when they're about to get out of prison? I had the opportunity to interview Mario who is in the InnerChange Freedom Initiative program at Tucker prison. Some of you will remember the video shown in Tim's Easter sermon (click here to view - the vid is about 1/2 thru) of him and Buster (former Aryan Brotherhood leader).

Interview with Mario 3 weeks before his Parole Board hearing (press play to listen).



Listen for what Mario fears. Can the Church help? Acceptance, encouragement, help finding a job, accountability, marriage reconciliation, parenting, etc... It seems that, not only can we, but that the Church is uniquely equipped to deal with post-release issues. In much of the nation, the Church is the missing mechanism to lowering recidivism (return to prison). I thank you supporters and volunteers of UGM for investing in the lives of men/women in prison. It is truly a privilege to serve with you - you are the solution. Have a great weekend.

- Paul

Story from the front line...

Tanya and her group teach Community Bible Study (CBS) on Monday nights in the women's unit in the Wrightsville complex. She routinely shares stories like this one.....

I have to share with you what happened last night at Wrightsville. We’re studying Joshua, and last night’s lesson was about Jericho. The [inmate] praise team said they wanted to do something different, so instead of singing, the praise leader listed some instructions about focusing on the desires of our heart and the barriers and roadblocks and baggage that stand in our way, to give it all to God. Then carrying our Bibles, we proceeded to march 7 times around the room – praying. That alone was priceless. But there’s more! Then one of the praise team members talked about Rahab and asked “have any of you been saved because of the faithfulness of someone else?”. Then they asked the volunteers and Tena Hauk to come forward and they gathered around singing a song of thanks to us (!) and one by one all the ladies stood up and joined them and then began to hug us. Of course, we were all crying!
Earlier that day, I had prayed with the volunteers that we would bless the ladies at least 1/10 of the blessings they give us. Of course I then had to share that with them and told them they’d set the bar really high for us last night!

Thank you ladies for what you do!