by Mike Fay
I came because I was invited.
It was either Kairos or a Saturday movie I've never seen.
Skeptical.
Is there hope? Off-balance. Low self-esteem. Detached.
Hopeful. Looking. Seeking answers.
I came because somebody told me to. I was challenged to.
Confused and curious. Lost.
Happiness. Honesty. Newfound friendships.
A "handle to the door" we knew was there.
Love. Family. The Spirit of God. Peace. Caring.
Brotherhood. Hope. Balance.
Encouragement. Unity.
It's OK to be a friend of God.
Love. Respect. Letters. Thankfulness.
Forgiveness of myself. A certificate!
People "out there", that we've never spoken with, who care --
from all over the world.
Inspiration. Dedication to Christ. It opened our hearts.
Lasting peace. Forgiveness -- we can forgive others and
they will forgive us in return.
Gratitude to the Lord that this many people care for us.
Peace. Comfort. Hope. Understanding.
Christ. Faith. Trust.
(We'd still be writing more ideas if we'd had the time.)
Determination to serve Jesus Christ.
On the outside, I didn't even know the names of my neighbors. But I know these men at my table closely.
We now have one more reason to succeed. I do not want it on my conscience that I let you down.
We've lost our pride, our family, our assets. It takes a lot to make it back. We know it's not easy out there; and it's not easy in here, either.
The outside team were great teachers. One taught me how to forgive myself.
Another stood in the doorway Friday night so I couldn't
leave. Another told me how my words to the group helped him!
I thought my sponsor, "Fran", would be taller and younger.
I've been Christian my whole life. But I've been mad at God. Now I've found Him in my heart. Thanks to the man who invited me to Kairos! I know I've got Christ in my life. I'll never let Him go. I'll share Him. I've never done that.
God showed my something in the Bible this morning: I have much joy and love, for my heart has been encouraged by you, my brother.
As I look at this side of the room it's just like the jury! Since I came to Kairos I see that everybody's the same. You're the type of people I'd expect to cross the street to stay away from me. But the cookies changed my mind... I see the sins of 40 years.
I have been blessed these past three days. I pray that God will give the outside community the strength to keep coming.
Tell the others out there that we can change. Ask the Christian community to get the sentencing laws changed.
As an individual from another country I feel forgotten by everybody. Thank God for touching the hearts of these volunteers! Jesus loves me! Someone cares! Alleluia!
That forgiveness that I couldn't find in my heart -- I found it! We can love each other the same way.
I've always had God in my life, but now it's kinda new!
I've been down since '79. Twice I slipped and fell on my face. I couldn't accept Christ because he took everything from me. Now I want to keep younger men from following my footsteps.
I don't feel some of the things some of you inmates feel -- I've got a short sentence. But I can't think of a better place to be locked up. When I came to the "dungeon" here I told the guards they'd made a mistake! I'm a businessman! But now I see that these inmates are my Christian brothers. I would be proud to be associated with these individuals. And they're not ashamed of me!
To you on the outside: no human being without Christ in his heart would walk through that door voluntarily.
Pray for my brothers in here -- they're suffering.
Outside people: you wouldn't believe the kind of man who comes to Kairos. I've got a life sentence. I didn't cry when they handed down the verdict. But today, I cried! It's been a long time. To the friend who invited me: if you hadn't done that, I wouldn't be here, feeling this way!
I don't speak much, but everything is possible with Christ. My life was very hard. When you walk alone, you never see the hope. Some brothers told me about Kairos. I go to church. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior. Now my life is different. I see the Lord in each face. I see God works in this place. No matter how many years behind these walls, the important thing is that my soul is free!
I thank the Lord for putting me here, to keep me encouraged. [Too choked up to continue...]
My life has been a never-ending ride. I've been locked up since I was a teen. In 9 or 10 years at USP I've never picked up a Bible. I've been feeling real guilty because the last time I thought I found God, I was out 6 months and then re-offended. I gave up hope. Then I got 30 days in the hole, three in total dark. I've been going to church ever since a friend invited me. Before that I never felt that God touched people enough to take the time to love, show emotional support, make us realize there is a God. Showing me I can to it. There is hope! I love Him!
God is in this room tonight and the last three days. The Lord is merciful, loving, forgiving. Always open your heart to Him. Under these circumstances we really have to put our trust in God!
I was apprehensive at first, but I needed to be here. Everybody does negative things. But there's a few of us who are glad to do positive things.
I'm gonna stay focused. Christ give me the courage. I'll miss everybody.
About two years ago I was in the prison in Phoenix, thinking about my daughters,
sons, and grandkids. I was afraid for them because I never get to talk to them.
I sat on my bed, wondering what I'm doing. I felt a lump in my throat and a
voice saying to "let go". I cried.
That night I had a dream. Jesus said: "What are you waiting for? Stand
up and start walking! Don't worry about the Law. I am the
Supreme Law." The next morning the book cart went by and I took a Bible.
I don't like to read just any book but this time I wanted it.
I read a passage, and I had the same dream. I decided to follow Jesus. I have
been down 11 years, and I have 3 to go. I'm so grateful to
see life from another angle. I still have a family. We men in here can feel
your love. You cannot explain the feeling in your heart.
When you get the call from Jesus, take it!
When I walked through the gate here, my hair stood up. I decided nobody's gonna hurt me. Then I was in the hole 2 months. It was 18 months before I got to see my family. Mom called to say Dad had a heart operation. I should have been there! Finally my folks drove all the way from El Paso to visit me. I went to the visiting room and didn't see my parents, just two old people. I walked by them. The old man started crying. Then I realized it was my Dad!
When I was in the hole, I got a cellmate for a short time. He asked if I'd received God. I was not ready. But I got lonely again. After I got out, I came to see this man. And we came to Kairos together.
Everybody, let's keep a minute of silence to remember the people who died in the terrorist attacks.
When I came to Kairos in 1999, I was in a "ground zero" spiritual
condition. I knew the life I was living was not what God intended. In 1984 at
the
age of 24 I professed to be a Christian. But I was living the life of everything
else. Gut God's love overwhelmed me. If it wasn't for God's love, I would still
be the same.
I'm transferring, but you're coming with me because God has put you in my heart.
God is for real. He will deliver you. If I had come to Christ in the first place I wouldn't be here at all!
Pharaoh never thought he'd be without the Hebrews. Egypt was like the U.S. government, incarcerating people. When God decided to free the Hebrews, He raised up Moses.
If you come to God, and you repent truly from your heart, sincerely, ain't nothing can stop you!
I had two life sentences. God delivered me from both. The life I'm doing now is for Him. It ain't where you are physically, it's where your a spiritually. Some people in the world are in a prison if the mind, which is even worse than this prison!
You come as you are. But you don't leave as you are!
You may have fear because you know the compound. God will love you. He has already provided for you. I'm asking the inside team to walk around you candidates to show you their Christian support for you. [Silence and smiles as the candidates are surrounded by the inside team.] I invite every candidate to the Religious Center room 2 tomorrow night, so the inside team can get acquainted with you. [This meeting took place and was a great bonding event.]
Kairos doesn't end tonight. It continues through your life. I thank God.