The mission of the Kairos Prison Ministry is to bring Christ's love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals, their families and those who work with them, and to assist in the transition of becoming a productive citizen. Volunteers are needed throughout the year to provide service, prayers, cookies and/or financial support. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Jim Miller, Kit Finau or Jeff Edgren with any questions. More info available at: Kairos of Texas and the Kairos Prison Ministry websites.
April 22, 2010
Greetings FUMC Fill the Hole and Kairos Prison Ministry team:
We had a great 4-day Kairos last weekend at the Coffield unit and I wanted to update everyone that contributed with cookies, sponsorship funds and prayers.
These weekends cannot happen without caring folks like you, so you were a blessing in making it happen.
Each Kairos 4-day weekend we take 42 new residents in the program (14 of each race) and use about 18 previous residents as servants to help on the weekend. Our outside team this time was 32 men and 17 ladies.
I am aware of the 42 containing at least 3 gang members, a white supremacist and a guy that practiced Wicca. The others certainly were not choir boys either.
It is awesome to see how cookies and meals begin as expressions of agape love from the outside and combine with the agape posters, letters and prayers to give them a sample of what God’s unconditional love is like.
There are 11 talks, meditations and a forgiveness service woven into the program that brings about changes that are hard to explain if you have not experienced it.
When you see all races arm in arm, singing and hugging after only 4 days, you know only God could achieve that, but we are blessed to be used to help.
The residents acting as stewards experience tremendous growth also as there is little other chance to experience being a servant in the prison.
A quote from a guy at open mike: “Love to me has always been a word in books. Now I know what it feels and looks like!”
Another said, “I’ve been a tough hardened criminal my whole life, full of hate. Well you made me cry, I hope you’re happy! You did to me in 4 days what the state couldn’t do in my lifetime.”
I’m glad a greater power than me was in charge!
If you supplied cookies, funds or prayers, again thank you, you are a blessing.
We received approx. 100 dozen cookies and $500 in sponsorships.
If the timing wasn’t right to help this team, please consider next time.
If you would like to serve on a team, I’d love to talk to you.
Caution, once you do one team you will be hooked!
The next team at the Hutchins State Jail south of Dallas will be in August.
Our next team at Coffield will be October 20-24 in Palestine.
Team meetings begin about 6 weeks before the 4-day event.
God bless,
Jim & Sue Miller
