Sunday January 21, 2007

A Great Time in Prison!

Cerwin and I were part of a group of 15 who left our church parking lot yesterday at 10:00 AM – in a fifteen-passenger van – to give an afternoon worship service in a State prison in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

A group from church makes this trip twice a year, mainly because of a prisoner from our community who was sentenced to life after killing his wife – about 20 years ago.  Because he has friends and neighbors in our church, he chose to become one of our members when he accepted the Lord into his life eighteen years ago. 

During the drive we practiced songs and prepared final details for the program.

Kevin, Nathaniel, and Craig

I was in the back, lefthand corner so it was difficult to get good pictures – but I tried.  You knew I would!

Snow!  Real Snow!

The farther north we went, the more it looked like snow, then, FINALLY we drove into falling snow.  By the time we stopped for a rest break, we were in an area of Luzerne County where there was several inches of snow on the ground. 

Our group during a break at a rest stop.

Back to the van.

This is the last picture I took before leaving my camera behind.

We had an awesome visit with Kirby.

He has a church photo directory, and because he knew who was coming, could name every person in our group.

Because of these bi-annual trips, he has met about 300 of our 600 church members.

After the prison choir sang, Kirby introduced Cerwin and told the group about Transport For Christ – we send our literature to him.  Cerwin was moderator, two young men (Micah and Craig) conducted opening devotions, Kevin and I shared testimonies, and Ron (one of our pastors) shared the message “God Wants You on His Team”. 

Afterward we stood at designated places so the men could greet us.  Two stopped long enough to tell us they were truck drivers and knew about TFC.  The one said he was familiar with our chapel at the TCA, Elkton, MD.

I wish we could follow up with them, but could not ask for their names or addresses.  We did ask Kirby to pass TFC information on to them if possible.

~~~

We enjoyed great fellowship during the drive and at the Cracker Barrel where we ate supper.