Again

Today we visit the prison that houses my nephew. His home for now. Next week he will be moved somewhere else, yet still the same. Prison. His home.

Last week my heart was broken. Delayed by an unexpected meeting, my husband and I rushed to get there. I thought we had time. The clock said "2:10"-ish, the visiting hour sign said "9:00am-3:00pm". But they said, "Too late. Can't get in."

"Can I leave the box of books?"

"Nope. If you don't officially visit, you can't leave a package."

Wiping the tears that began to flow, I packed away the books we had been hurriedly sorting, hoping to leave just the right ones (they had told us upon arrival that 10 was the limit; that was before they told us we couldn't leave them, but after they said we couldn't visit.)

I hope for more success today. We want to discuss his dream with him. We want to find out what he's been reading in that 40 yr. old Bible that was handed to him by his last "bunkie" (God is so faithful...) We want to reassure him of God's unending faithfulness and mercy and love and peace and joy -- all those things which are His in abundance and can be his just for the asking. We want to love him.

Tomorrow another group will hopefully go and share a smile and some love. Then he will be moved. Another chapter will begin.

I am praying that God will send him to a place where there is a strong witness of His love and grace, where discipleship can begin in earnest. Join me? Thanks.