What an incredible weekend I've had. I've had the opportunity to share what's happened to tons of people around me. I've pretended it's the glory of God they see on my face and not the tan line from my sunglasses! (2 Corinthians 3:18)
So, where have I been? Only having one of the best weekends of my life! A few years ago, I heard about this program called
Returning Hearts Celebration is an event that unites children and their fathers for an unforgettable day of games, food, relationship building and Bible teaching. For one day each year, fathers can be real dads to their kids. Most importantly, they have the opportunity to reconcile with their children by asking for their forgiveness and inviting them to accept Christ's offer of salvation. This begins the healing process, breaking the power of sin and the cycle of crime.
Doesn't that just SOUND incredible? The first time I heard about this program, it was taking place at Angola State Prison in Louisiana! I couldn't just drop my kids and head there... no matter how awesome I thought it was, no warden was going to let me nurse a child in the middle of a prison. (I think Burl Cain's kindness only goes so far, lol!) Then... I heard rumors about the same program happening this year at Walker State Prison! That wasn't too far for me to drive--I could be home at night for the girls and I could follow my heart and volunteer! Prayer, prayer, prayer! It was announced and I got excited!! For months, I've been preparing my heart for this! Prayer, bible study, listening to God. I knew this weekend was going to be great. It was like preparing for the most heart wrenching blessing I could ever imagine... how do I prepare for such? I just knew it was going to be beyond anything I'd ever experienced!
I signed up, cleared my calendar, and have been waiting for this day to come!
Friday night, some of the volunteers showed up for a worship service (and training session) with the inmates. Wow. Words cannot describe the atmosphere at Walker State Prison on that night. Tears began flowing from my eyes before any words were even spoken. Once the
Malachi Dads began sharing their testimonies, I was working hard to keep it together! One dad shared his love of Friday nights when he wasn't in prison. How it was "his night" and he wouldn't change his plans for anyone. That was his night to do what he wanted... then, he thanked all of us for choosing to spend our Friday night with him, in prison. Obviously, we were all crying.
Another Malachi dad shared a small confession: He had been in prison all of his life, and didn't have any children. He chose to do the Malachi Dads program so that he could be a father to the other inmates... some of which were born while he was in prison! (Incredible, huh?)
I left there Friday night having felt like I had been in the presence of God. I had been. Hebrews 13:3 says, "Remember the prisoners, as though you were in prison with them." And there I had been, sitting in the same room as 60 prisoners and feeling as though I was sitting next to Jesus.
I cried for the majority of the hour drive home. I prayed for Saturday, for the kids, for the inmates, the volunteers, and I thanked God for everything that I have experienced in my life... as one of the men said, "you will realize that your entire life was meant for this."
On my way home, I called my momma. 'Cause that's what girls do, right? I told her about these incredible men I had met, about the volunteers, and about all the tears I just shed. She was crying, too. By the time I got home, she was there with this little Polaroid picture.
That was our family, 22 years ago...in fact exactly 22 years ago. This photo was taken on April 14, 1990. I didn't get much sleep Friday night. I stayed up, staring at this picture... pulling every memory I had from that day to the forefront of my mind. I remembered that that weekend was my birthday and Easter. My dad sang "Happy Birthday" to me and my brother (his is the day after mine) and we hunted Easter eggs. We were so happy that day. Someone, some group, some volunteers had put on this family day for the prisoners 22 years ago. I don't know who they were, but I will never forget that day. Full circle, eh?
I woke up Saturday morning excited and I asked God to use me where he needed me. I put that Polaroid picture in my back pocket and headed to prison. We helped set up games, inflatables, crafts, popcorn, cotton candy, and family check-in. Most of us arrived before the sun came up... We watched this prison yard transform into a "happy place"... a place inviting to these children. Where, for if only a day, these men could escape their environment and be fathers. The anticipation hung in the air as we waited for the families to arrive. Children as young as 4 years old were checked in and dropped off at the gate. Family Assistants (volunteers) met the children at the gate and walked them to the yard to meet their fathers.
I was one of the last family assistants... I was praying for God to lead me to where he needed me as I leaned up against a phone pole and waited. The kids ranged from 4 to 18... boys, girls, some in groups as large as 5 kids! Whatever he needed me to do, I would do it.
In the back of the line, I noticed these 2 teenage girls. They had that look on their face that teenagers have... that "I am so over this and I will punch anyone who touches me" look. Wouldn't you know it... God led me right to them. As soon as my mouth opened, that look disappeared from their faces... it was replaced with "This lady is crazy." LOL!
Their Grandmother checked them in and I encouraged her to go to the Guardian program. It was filled with fun, lunch, and even makeovers by the girls from the beauty school...not to mention the $1,000+ in prizes that were donated! Of course, the guardians have a chance to hear the gospel... what better way than to share with a captive audience!
As soon as their Grandmother left, the girls started asking questions. Janie* and Judy* were 18 and 16 years old. Janie had a 7 month old daughter and Judy was having a little trouble in school... They hadn't seen their Dad in 3 months, since he was in the county jail. The girls don't live together and Janie is working at a fast food restaurant to support her child. Can you believe I learned all of this in the 2 minute walk from registration to the gate? I have one of those faces... "tell me your life story" faces. :) On that day, it was totally useful!
I led the girls through the gate and someone announced their Dad's name: "Could I have the amazing Dad, John Stover* come on down!"
You see, the fathers have no idea if their children will show up. Until their kids walk through that gate, and their name is called out... they just wait.
Mr. Stover came over and picked up both of his girls. The look on his face was amazing. If I head "babygirl" once, I heard it a million times. He asked them about their family, and everything he could think of. And then, my family had a family picture made. All smiles!
Throughout the day, I watched these girls spend time with their Dad. I watched Mr. Stover apologize to his girls for his mistakes. I watched him explain the greatness of this day and the history they were making and what a Malachi Dad is. To hear this man, who led a life full of mistakes tell the girls he was sorry and that he hadn't been the dad God intended for him to be, but that he was changing that right now... my heart was leaping. He explained to them the meaning of fatherhood and why this time would be different. Then, he challenged them... To let him be a better father and grandfather. He asked if they had been reading their Bibles like he asked in his letters. Then, the most amazing thing happened, he got a Bible out of the bags (goody bags were given to each child, along with a tshirt!)... turned it to John 3:16 and shared the Gospel with both of his children. Whoa! Incredible.
During the day, Mr. Stover and I talked a lot while the girls played on the inflatables. I showed him my polaroid and shared my testimony... and we talked about what an impact his life change will have on his girls. He cried and I cried (of course).
The similarities between my family and theirs was amazing. Me being led to these girls was clearly an act of God. I was able to speak to them about forgiveness and reconciliation and the change their Dad has been through. I was able to share my heart with all of them. You see, the program isn't set up for me to share my heart in that way... I was merely a support system for Dad--I was supposed to carry bags, wipe snot, offer drinks, cotton candy, bathroom... etc. I was standing their in disbelief every single time these girls would reveal a little detail about their lives. Then, they would ask me something, or Dad would ask me something--and sometimes it would be as simple as asking if I knew "that verse about..." Of course, God would remind my heart of the verse and reference and all I had to do was open my mouth and out it came. The girls said, "Do you know the whole Bible by heart or something?" Thank you Awana... and all those memory verses!
During lunch, I led the discussion with some cards that had been placed on the tables... One of the questions was about Dad's favorite memory of the girls. I wish I had a bottle to capture the surprise of Janie and Judy when Dad told them his favorites. They had no idea he would remember these little details about them... I can't even describe how great it was to watch this man spend a day with his girls. No distractions, his focus was on them. Just to love on them and to share his heart.
We sat down for the program and the girls watched a puppet show, heard the gospel presented from a football player, and the world's strongest man! And guess what?... Mr. Stover had written a note and asked if we could sing his girl Happy Birthday! Is that awesome or what? Janie would be celebrating her birthday over the weekend... At that moment, I felt like my entire life was meant for this day.
The families released balloons together, said their last goodbyes... and Janie, Judy, and Mr. Stover hugged me like I've never been hugged before. Then, they gave me a beautiful gift:
Janie and Judy told me that my story touched their hearts and that they couldn't believe that I didn't know I was "getting them." They made me promise to frame their picture and to never forget them. I have changed their names and blocked their faces from the picture. But let me tell you what was on their faces: Love, excitement, forgiveness, reconciliation, anticipation, enjoyment. How do I know? I've been there... in fact, my life has led me to this day. Look at that picture... Down to the belt, those are the exact clothes I remember MY Dad wearing. How incredible that it was Janie's birthday, too on family day? All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord... right? I am so glad I was prepared to share with them what God wanted me to.
See? What a weekend! I knew this weekend was going to be amazing... and here I sit writing about how incredible it was and I can't even find the proper words to describe it. Maybe there aren't any... maybe that is just how God wants this... Unspeakable Glory.
The next event for Returning Hearts will be next month at Angola State Prison in Louisiana. I encourage you to watch this video, it shows a few details of Malachi Dads and Returning Hearts Celebration:
I want to thank Andrea Shelton from the bottom of my heart for seeing the need and being willing to do everything in her power to meet it. To hear her "God story" of how He put the right people, in the right places to see this happen... incredible. Andrea represents HeartBound Ministries and facilitated the Returning Hearts Celebration this weekend at Walker State Prison. She is an incredible woman on an incredible mission! You can check out this prison ministry here:
http://www.heartboundministries.com/ or you can find them of Facebook:
HeartBound Ministries Facebook Page. There are a lot of needs, volunteer opportunities, and information you can find through this ministry! If you have a heart to see lives changed... here is an incredible opportunity! And why wouldn't you want to see lives changed? God's word says in Hebrews 13:3...Remember the prisoners, as though you were in prison with them.
I know, firsthand how important these prison ministries are and the everlasting impact a faith and character program will have on the generations following an inmate. I am forever grateful to all of the volunteers who helped, have helped, and will help to put these celebrations on... I know these kids will never forget it!
Awana Lifeline is at the top of my L.O.V.E list, too! They are equipping ministries through churches, organizations, and communities to develop godly fathers!
If you have any questions about my experience, this ministry, how to donate, or anything else... let me know!
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