Im back! This is going to be a long post...forgive me! We arrived at Sumter at 8:40 this morning. We were greeted by several friendly officers who made our entry very easy. By 9:30, the band was in the chapel setting up and rehearsing and the rest of us (about 40) were in the Visitors Park (a large, cafeteria-like room). As we entered, the inmates formed a receiving line and introduced themselves to each of our friends! Incredibly moving was to see Tim when we surprised him with bringing Tommie Bell with us...a long-time pen-pal. We divided into five small groups and each group was assigned one of the five inmates (Tim, Shawn, Brian, Stephen, Josh)...one inmate per TG group. We visited (Matthew 25:36) for 20 minutes and then the inmates would rotate to the next table, allowing each group to spend 20 minutes with each inmate. By that time, Pizza Hut had delivered 20 pizzas, 10 dozen wings and we ATE!!! For dessert, we had dozens of those fabulous IveyCake Cupcakes (thank you, Ivey Childers who was with us...boy can she rap! Annie...look out...you may have met your match! The band/musicians came to the VP (from the chapel) and joined us for lunch. Following lunch we had a photo opp with the five guys! Then...off to the chapel we went. Many, many, many men were turned away due to maximum limits on seating. Our friends sat along the side and in the back of the room so they could watch the expressions on the inmates faces. As always, Melissa and the ENTIRE TEAM delivered!!! Not only was the music phenomenal, but a brilliantly prepared message of HOPE (from Melissa) was offered to the inmates, staff and volunteers. It was an incredibly moving, powerful service, where, towards the end, our friend (inmate), Josh Williams sang a wonderful song, You Have Me. I would attempt to mention everyone on-stage and off who participated, but for fear of forgetting someone will refrain. But this day will go down in Timothys Gift history as one of the best! After tear-down, we said our goodbyes to our five guys and off to the bus we went. After an hour rest at the hotel, we traveled across the street where we enjoyed a wonderful, sit-down dinner, followed by a poignant time of sharing, fellowship and de-briefing. To me, it was so interesting to hear the responses from those who participated...I am honored, humbled and excited! WOW! P.S. We were thrilled to have a just retired Assistant Regional Director, Bill Smith, join us for the entire day. Hed been with the DOC for decades, is a man of great wisdom and compassion...and he LOVES Timothys Gift. One of the reasons, as is our intention, we affected his life...just as we attempt to do for inmates and other staff members. It was a good day...and tomorrow will be here before we know it! Off to visit the Florida Womens Reception Center in Ocala. This will be a first-time for us...but were looking forward to it with great anticipation!
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 02:12:38 +0000
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