I Love Going To Prison

We had the previledge of bring the Word to the men at Riverbend Prison again last night and as usual it was a great night of praise and worship. I've asked the folks in the band to write their feelings about the service and as they come in I'll post them here for you to read. We had a special guest, one of Tommy's Blogger friends Ginger (I won't give her last name because I don't know if she gives it out on her Blog) anyway Ginger has a beautiful voice and it was a blessing having her with us. Here is what she said on her blog about the service...

The prisoners wanted contraband, not a “country band”!August 5th, 2007
…but they did enjoy the gospel band that played tonight!

I had the incredible opportunity to sit in with Slarti’s band, X-Alt this evening for a concert at the Riverbend Maximum Security Prison.

It was a great experience! The men were all very kind to us, and so grateful that we came out to sing for them. It was cool to me how they helped set up our equipment, and when we realized that the piano that used to be in the chapel was gone, one of the inmates let us borrow the keyboard he had been allowed to have for good behavior. I noticed how a couple of them were so excited to be able to play Katy’s guitar and she was very gracious to them when they asked if they could play it.

The two most moving parts of the evening, for me, was when each man was asked if he had a need that he would like to be prayed for. These guys wanted prayers for their families, for each other, and even for us. Then one of the guys stood and spoke about how earlier in the week, he hurt one of his fellow inmates, who was now sitting across the aisle from him. He said that he wanted to publicly thank this man because he showed compassion toward him even when he had hurt him so bad. He said it was the first time in his life that somebody had shown him that kind of compassion. It was a very compelling moment to watch two very tough-on-the-outside hardened criminals be so touched by an act of kindness.

The other thing that was just amazing was listening to one of the inmates play and sing a song he wrote. It’s called, “Where the River Bends,” and it was REALLY good. (Remember the name of the institution?) Anyway, having just an acoustic guitar accompanying his R&B flavored voice fit perfectly together for this song. All of the guys seemed to know the song, too, and were singing along. He sang of struggling to stay afloat in the raging river of life and of praying that the Lord would keep him safe where the river bends. It made me all teary (of course).

It was a blessing to be a part of this band tonight. It felt great to be singing with a group again. There are few things I enjoy more than singing harmony with some really great singers. It was a blast.

I am very thankful to Slarti for the opportunity. I can’t put in to words how much I appreciate it.

A good man once said…”…for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ …‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these, My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

After the experience tonight, I kinda feel like I know what he meant

Here is the link to her post...
(http://gingersnaps.wordpress.com/2007/08/05/the-prisoners-wanted-contraband-not-a-country-band/)
This is Tom's Post on his blog from this morning...

You’re MenAugust 6th, 2007 — Slartibartfast

The church service at Riverbend Prison yesterday was quite intense, and it’s hard to gather my thoughts on it, because I have feelings more than thoughts about the whole experience.

First off, if you didn’t know it, Ginger can sing. Oh, I know you knew she could carry a melody well, but the hallmark of a great singer is someone who can do that, AND slip into harmonies with an ensemble; well, Ginger is spectacular in that regard.

Sometimes, I take that particular talent for granted, I am surrounded by it: Mark, Vince, Susie, Brooke, Katy - they all have oodles of vocal talent, and it’s so wonderful to see that talent offered up in service to the Lord.

It was great that Katy went along this time. She just adds that extra something to the vocals that takes the music from “good” to “wow”.

The main speaker preached a sermon that spoke to me, about building and nurturing a spiritual garden no matter where you are. The sermon was meant for the men, but it spoke to me, nonetheless.

Men. That was a moment that sent chills down my spine - when the preacher said, “Outside, they think of you as criminals; they call you inmates. You’re not inmates. You’re men. You’re men.” Amen.

I sure wish y’all could have heard the song “Where The River Bends”, written by one of the men. If I’m ever able to write that well, I’ll know I’m a songwriter.

Ginger has summed up the evening perfectly for me, and Ford will have a post up about it soon. Be on the lookout. No pictures - those are kind of out of the question in this setting.

I can tell you this: pick a group of people that you have had a degree of cognitive dissonance about in the past. A “them”. Ask God to send you to minister to “them”, no matter how much it scares you. Allow your heart to be opened.

This is the place where true healing is found.

Link to Tom's Blog...
(http://shootthemoose.wordpress.com/)

Hopefully some of the others will put thier feelings into words over the next few days, It was as touching a service as I have ever been a part of.
God Is Good!
V