There is Hope

If you haven't heard from facebook or recent posts, I spent the last week in Lindale, Texas. If you don't remember from recent posts I really did not want to go, I didn't think God would reveal Himself to me in the week and I didn't think a difference would be made in my life or the lives of the people I encountered. I was as wrong as wrong can be. Now that I'm back I'm struggling to find the correct words to express to people what I experienced while I was there.

However; I've come to find that the above picture sums it up pretty well. While we were there we worked with and lived with the people of Calvary Commission; they have a school and have many missions outreaches. The phrase "There is Hope!" is seen in numerous places around their campus and ranch. All of the students at Calvary Commission except 3 have been to prison, some of the staff have also served time in prison. But you would never know that when you meet them. I don't think I have ever fallen in love with a group of people so fast in my life. Their faith and passion for Jesus Christ is amazing and inspiring. I'm sure the question "is it possible to look up to ex-convicts?" has never crossed many of your minds but when I got to Lindale it crossed mine, and let me tell you, the answer is most definitely YES. 

The first night we were there we went with them to their homeless ministry.

The second night we held a service for 450 male inmates at a prison in the area.

The third night we helped with a ministry to children 4 years old through high school

The fourth day we picked up trash on the highway they adopted

That is only a small list of examples of things that we did but what we did isn't what is important. What is important is how God moved through our team as well as the people of Calvary Commission. Through the prison service and hearing the testimonies of people at Calvary Commission 'redemption' was redefined for me. Before going into the prison we were approached by a man who worked there. He drove fear into me as he told us about some of the things people we would see had done to be in the prison and stressed watching our surroundings the entire time. By the time we got to the prison's chapel I was nearly in tears because I was so frightened. But when we walked through the doors there was a group of inmates who had created a worship band. I wish I could tell you how amazing they sounded but you'll hear them when we get to Heaven; it was incredible. When I saw their faces as well as the faces of the other 450ish men who came to the service the fear inside me instantly evaporated. Long story short--we worshiped our Savior, read scripture and about 6 of us gave testimonies. The entire time we were talking they were shouting "PRAISE GOD!" and "AMEN!" and about every two minutes the entire room would erupt with applause. At the end of our service we had an alter call; the Chaplin told us that he expected maybe 7 men to stand up to receive and surrender to Christ. When the time came for them to stand up to be prayed for about 80 men stood up. It was a scramble for the men of our team to be able to go out and pray for them all as the ladies stayed in the front and joined hands in prayer for our brothers and the new believers.

The people I met were fanatics for Christ. Their passion exceeded what I knew was possible. They had come from such a dark past, from a pit that seemed never-ending that wouldn't let them go. But Christ pierced their hearts and radically changed and saved their lives. They love Christ with everything that they are-inside and out. In every conversation they have Christ is in it somewhere, they pray with a passion that I've rarely encountered. Their love, thanks and praise to our Savior is so visible. God is so visible.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full"

~John 10:10~

A week can change a life and strengthen faith.

Even in the lowest, darkest, and scariest situations in this life

THERE IS HOPE