CIA Story – Meeting Inmates

I started attending 12Stone around 2 years ago.  I was invited to attend a small group for parents of chemically addicted teens. My son was arrested after robbing a closed businesses to get money for a drug addiction.

I started attending services and was baptized and joined the church soon after. I have never been to another church like it. Though it is big I felt completely at home here and started serving as a greeter, and then as a teacher in the 2 year old preschool ministry. What a challenge, but God put it in my heart as I did not take my kids to church when they were young my mom did.

I first went to Phillips State Prison at last year’s CIA because I wanted to reach out to men like my son, lost and in trouble. There were amazing men trying to make a difference behind bars and help those lost in there with them.

This year was amazing as we got to sit and talk to them one on one. They are strong and driven by Jesus wanting to help their fellow inmates no matter what the cost and hopefully get ready for release one day!

One man had been stabbed 5 times because of his faith and he was still going strong. The men that I talked to for a while were equally strong. I sat down and he said “You are my visitation” so I said, “Well you are MY visitation”.  His family lives in Detroit so they only visit once a year. As he was smiling at me I wanted to cry, but I smiled back and said I am glad to be here.

He had been in 14 years and is up for parole so his family has not come to see him yet this year. I’m hoping that he will be released. I never asked what he had done. God has forgiven them and so have I,  so it was not important. He told me about his time there and how it felt and how we take small things for granted. I was soaking it all in, could feel God’s love for these men, and felt how strong Jesus was in them. It was amazing!!

He asked about 12Stone and I told him about it and what CIA was. He asked, “Why are you here.. why do yall do this?” and I said because we want you to know that you are not forgotten, you are forgiven, loved, and we are your family in Christ. He said he was going to write his mom that he had visitation from his 12Stone Family!

My husband left me for forgiving my son but I am more fulfilled and enriched having forgiven as God does. I also feel blessed having met these incredible men of Phillips State Prison! I hope to go back to see them more than just once a year.

Sincerely,

Charlotte