Returning Hearts . . . uniting incarcerated men with their children.
Returning Hearts Celebration is a one day event that will unite children with their prison inmate fathers and grandfathers to begin the long road of breaking the cycle of crime. This fun, carnival-style atmosphere promotes hope, joy, and reconciliation while introducing many kids and their fathers to the gospel.
Stories
Received Thursday 12/9/09
Laurie and Paul Easley
Paul and I had such an amazing time at the RHC in October. A few days before the
event we received a call that Paul needed to be a driver to pick up a 13 year
old child in Lancaster and that I needed to come along. We had previously been
given our assignments and we were not serving together. This change made it
possible for us to serve together. We didn't know anything about the child we were picking up even
whether they were a boy or girl. It was totally out of my conform zone. BUT
our God supplied the peace and comfort for me. He allowed Paul to be there to
make the long car trip comfortable and to engage our 13 year old in
conversation. Our unknown child turned out to be quite the polite and well
mannered young man. He was going to visit with his uncle. He was fortunate that
he is able to visit his uncle almost every weekend. Our inmate was also very
nice and felt blessed to be a part of the Merit Program. He is supposed to be an
intern with the television/movie training program that Gary and Cindy Hall
provide. He even told us that his attorney wanted to get him an early release
and that he requested she not do that because he wanted to finish the Merit Program. He looks forward to bible study and is also longing to be a part of the
Alumni Group that meets at GBC. We were very touched by the love
the inmates had for their children and how appreciative they were of all that
was provided for them that day. God answered all our prayers above and beyond
what we had asked for. We are looking forward to serving again next year.
Received Thursday 10/28/09
Chris Abbott
Rochelle was with the guardians while her older children were visiting their uncle (her brother) at the jail. Her young life has been hard, but with evidence of God's grace. One of her 3 year old twins is named Emmanuel...I was able to share with her that he is her constant reminder that "God is with us" . She hadn't known the meaning of the name.
Received Thursday 10/18/09
Cheryl Heavens
What blessings I received at the Returning Hearts event of 9/25/09! I
decided to be a bus greater at the jail, as well as a table leader this year.
That started a wonderful day seeing the woman with the kids that would be going
into the jail, getting to encourage the kids that looked scared and telling them
they were going to have a wonderful time and how exciting it would be once they
were inside. Many faces lit up as they understood it might not be as scary as
they thought. Many of the ladies already knew there were activities at the
church and were planning on going on the bus. While I was waiting for the ladies
to go through security I was able to talk to a young man there while he waited
for his girlfriend to come out. We had a short conversation about God and how
God is everywhere and can be with him all the time. No decision was made, but I
make a friend. At the church the ladies enjoyed themselves and were touched to
see the loving care given to them for no apparent reason. One woman at my table
said she did not understand why all the women did not come to this wonderful
event. Of the 2 ladies at my table they both already knew the Lord, but one said
she needed to rededicate her life. I pray for her now as I am typing as she has
a heavy load with 4 children, ages 5 to 17. When the time came for the women to
go back to the jail, I was not ready to let them go yet, so I stowed away on the
bus and went back to the jail with them. This was under the guise of helping
them carry those heavy grocery bags. I helped many get them to their cars. But I
must say the best time of the day for me, was spending that time at the jail
waiting for the children to come out. It was a time I got to share with 2 new
believers how to use the Bible, a “Bible 101” class. I explained that the bible
is make up of many books, and when they see John 5:24 it means the book of John,
Chapter 5 and verse 24. I showed them the table of contents in the bible, and
how to find things. One lady said she did not understand it when she reads, so I
encouraged her to continue through the parts she does not understand, not to
stop, and I know God will help her to understand His Word. She mentioned that
her husband (in jail) had told her to read the Psalms. So I showed that to her,
where to find it and explained how King David loved God so much and the love of
God flowed from him into songs which we now have the words. I explained how much
God loves us and He has written His word for us to be able to get to know Him;
that the relationship with God is what He wants. As I looked around I saw other
ladies listening, so I pray for them as well as they use the bibles given, and
if they don’t know God yet, they will meet Him face to face in His word. Thank
you so much for this wonderful “mini mission trip” and the opportunity to be
reminded of God’s forgiveness of us no matter what condition we are in. Also
that God can change our (my) judgmental hearts as we allow God’s love to flow
through us to the women He brought there Saturday. Still floating from the
“Jesus high” from this event.
Received Thursday 10/8/09
Ginny Fels
On the morning of the Returning Hearts event, I had last minute errands before 'going to jail'....I was wearing the RHC T-shirt and hurridly checking out at Wall-Mart. The checker stopped me and commented on my shirt..."Why that's a ministry shirt!"...."Oh that's the church that prays!, she said after noticing the GBC logo. We chatted and she wrote the names of 3 people to pray for on my register receipt, and I promised that I and our church would pray as she requested. Wow....that's a good reputation we at GBC are getting! Thata was only the beginning of what God was to do on that day!