During the One Day With God Camp at Cotton Correctional, a couple of our volunteers brought a “Jesus and a lamb” figure as a simple gift. Such meshed well with our day of grace, hope, and connection. Ash’s reflections capture the true impact of the camp, and we’re excited to share her story.
There’s nothing like these camps.
We had such a fun time sharing Jesus as always … the way you all put up with us too is so full of Grace! What an amazing Jesus filled day.
I want to share the Jesus moment that smashed me in the face today. Today Kymalee and I showed up at the first church I ever went to in Jackson, from 6-18 years of age! They made breakfast for the family’s and volunteers.
I had many memories come flooding back and reconnected with some very dear people from growing up in church.
No prison ministry is the same. When you’re sitting in a room of people who are on fire for Jesus, at tables of people who have been sentenced for something, and children who miss their parent so much you get a beautiful full circle picture of Grace! We aren’t told why people are there, we just show up to love and serve them. An entire day of unification, games, fun and blessings.
During the magician show the fathers and sons were up front and I was looking at them from the back. I saw people who were going to be sitting with me at Jesus’s table in Heaven one day but today we are all sitting in the prison gym together. I didn’t need to know why they were there, I just saw people.
It’s how Jesus looks at us right?! I don’t deserve Heaven or a seat at the table but because of Grace there’s a seat for me too. When you see, like today, the men melt for their own kids, you know how much work they did to work on themselves to get there. It truly is beautiful what Grace can do.
Thank you for making today, and every other camp happen.
Ash
Ash and Kymalee joined us at our first camp in Whiteville, West TN, last year and are now a valued part of the Forgiven Ministry family. We’re thankful for Ash and all our volunteers who dedicate their time to making a difference in the lives of incarcerated parents and their children. I love the thought of us, together with those we serve, one day sitting at Jesus’s table in Heaven. We look forward to more moments like this in the future.
You are loved!
Les
(For the Team)
