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As the weekend closed on ISCI #5 it was not hard to look back and realize all the blessings that our Lord Jesus poured out upon the Kairos Prison Ministry in Idaho.
This weekend was one of change as the door closed for us to stay at our previous base of operations, yet the Lord opened a new door for us to set up camp at Gowen Field. The team saw first hand the truth that when the Lord closes one door, He opens up another as the new accommodations included barracks, a commercial level kitchen/dining facility, and a seven minute commute to the correctional institution.
All the planning, preparation, prayers, and even tears that had been on-going since December of 2005, culminated on Thursday June 8th, as the outside support team of eleven dedicated saints serenaded the inside team, on their way to the medium security facility.
When the Warden asked back in January what they could do to help make things easier for Kairos and Marvin responded “Let us bring food in”, I’m not so sure that we realized all the coordination that would be required, but at the same time what a source of encouragement and joy it would be for the men in blue.
New carpet prevented us from eating food in the community room, so preparations were made to eat outside on the “lanai” on picnic tables. As burgers, chicken, lasagna, apple pie and ice-cream were consumed a comment overheard from one of the Men in Blue was, “This reminds me of a picnic in my backyard with the kids on the swings!”. Thank-you Jesus, for giving the men an opportunity to experience a little bit of home on the weekend.
Over 3500 dozen packages of love in the form of cookies made their way to the staff and residents, as the outside community responded to the call to bake… and bake… and bake.
Twenty-nine Men in Blue took part in the weekend as laughter, singing, and restored hope filled the community room. A comment from one of the inside team was “You could physically see the change in their face, their posture, and their spirit!” as the message of the love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ was shared to the residents over the four days.
It was an extremely moving time as the standing room only crowd in the closing ceremony sang “They Will Know We Are Christians” to the Men in Blue, followed by two minutes of cheering and affirmation for the men. There were few dry eyes from those twenty-nine men as it really hit home that they are not alone; that there was a crowd of brothers and sisters inside, as well as outside, wishing them hope and a future.
The Lord Jesus truly blessed us with a wonderful weekend, and it is to Him that all praises go!
Thank you Jesus!!
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