My post is a little late this week as I have been extremely busy. :)
This past Sunday I had the privilege to join my hubby for a trip inside the California Youth Authority in Stockton, California. It was my first time in the YA, so I was a bit unsure what to expect. We drove over an hour in the pouring rain to meet the fellow members of the Wildfire Ministries team. We showed our identification and then proceeded in through the guard gate. I was then given a "panic button" which was supposed to be pressed in the state of an emergency. It was more like an outdated pager from the 90's that was not exactly high tech. We then went to the chapel which is where the services are held for all of the kids who wish to attend. The ages of the youth ranged from 14 and can go up to 25 years of age.
Several members of our team got up and shared some encouraging words to the young men. Pastor Matthew also shared a mini sermon on the Beatitudes and the boys seemed to enjoy it. Afterwards, we had ice cream with them and I had the chance to get to know some of the young boys. I started talking with three particular boys who were talking to each other in the corner of the room. They seemed really young and sweet, not very different from my nephews. We immediately started introducing ourselves to one another and two of the boys happened to be 16 and the other 17 years of age. Then they started to tell me how two of them had "life" and the other had "25" years in jail, as if it was part of a normal introduction.
I was not sure what they meant. I thought they were making fun of each other in order to make the other guy look stupid or something. But, after a few moments of silence I realized they were telling the truth. I was unsure what to say since a minute ago we were laughing and talking about the ice cream and all of a sudden I felt like crying for them. I didn't want to show that I was shocked or make them feel as though they were less than. I WAS shocked, but not in a disgusted way. I was shocked in a sad way wondering how they got to this point in their lives and what must have happened to them. I wondered where their parents were and if they came to visit much.
I then proceeded to encourage them the best way I knew how and tell them that God could use their lives inside the jails. They could be missionaries inside the youth authority and start inviting the other boys to the church services. They could grow to disciple the other boys and learn trades to pass the time. God could transform them and give them hope and purpose inside the walls of the youth correctional facility and the prisons they would later be transferred to. I told them to read the book of Psalms and read all about King David who was a murderer and yet loved God with all his heart. Their little faces lit up as they were so eager to hear about any sort of hope. It was obvious they struggled with guilt and shame and my heart went out to them.
Afterwards the chaplain confirmed that most of the boys with life sentences were prosecuted for homicide related crimes. I was shocked at the reality of everything and how the Chaplain talked about these issues as if it was an everyday situation. He explained on a rare occasion they may end up getting paroled if they succeed through the appeal process, but most likely will not. After the service was over I then returned my "panic button" to the guard station and that was that.
Ever since we left I can't help but wonder what must have happened in order for those kids to end up in a situation like that. Sometimes it's a split second decision that can alter your course for ever. I wonder if the crimes they committed were premeditated or if it was merely just a bad decision. I wonder how they could be so deceived into thinking they were on the right track and why they could not choose a better way of life for themselves? Perhaps no one was there to tell them differently, or maybe the lies outweighed the good and so they chose their path. I wonder what type of homes they grew up in and what their influences were.
I could not help but look on these kids with compassion and mercy despite their present set of circumstances.
I am going to be praying for them that God would do a work in their hearts and bless them no matter what things look like as I am unsure what else to think at this point.
This past Sunday I had the privilege to join my hubby for a trip inside the California Youth Authority in Stockton, California. It was my first time in the YA, so I was a bit unsure what to expect. We drove over an hour in the pouring rain to meet the fellow members of the Wildfire Ministries team. We showed our identification and then proceeded in through the guard gate. I was then given a "panic button" which was supposed to be pressed in the state of an emergency. It was more like an outdated pager from the 90's that was not exactly high tech. We then went to the chapel which is where the services are held for all of the kids who wish to attend. The ages of the youth ranged from 14 and can go up to 25 years of age.
Several members of our team got up and shared some encouraging words to the young men. Pastor Matthew also shared a mini sermon on the Beatitudes and the boys seemed to enjoy it. Afterwards, we had ice cream with them and I had the chance to get to know some of the young boys. I started talking with three particular boys who were talking to each other in the corner of the room. They seemed really young and sweet, not very different from my nephews. We immediately started introducing ourselves to one another and two of the boys happened to be 16 and the other 17 years of age. Then they started to tell me how two of them had "life" and the other had "25" years in jail, as if it was part of a normal introduction.
I was not sure what they meant. I thought they were making fun of each other in order to make the other guy look stupid or something. But, after a few moments of silence I realized they were telling the truth. I was unsure what to say since a minute ago we were laughing and talking about the ice cream and all of a sudden I felt like crying for them. I didn't want to show that I was shocked or make them feel as though they were less than. I WAS shocked, but not in a disgusted way. I was shocked in a sad way wondering how they got to this point in their lives and what must have happened to them. I wondered where their parents were and if they came to visit much.
I then proceeded to encourage them the best way I knew how and tell them that God could use their lives inside the jails. They could be missionaries inside the youth authority and start inviting the other boys to the church services. They could grow to disciple the other boys and learn trades to pass the time. God could transform them and give them hope and purpose inside the walls of the youth correctional facility and the prisons they would later be transferred to. I told them to read the book of Psalms and read all about King David who was a murderer and yet loved God with all his heart. Their little faces lit up as they were so eager to hear about any sort of hope. It was obvious they struggled with guilt and shame and my heart went out to them.
Afterwards the chaplain confirmed that most of the boys with life sentences were prosecuted for homicide related crimes. I was shocked at the reality of everything and how the Chaplain talked about these issues as if it was an everyday situation. He explained on a rare occasion they may end up getting paroled if they succeed through the appeal process, but most likely will not. After the service was over I then returned my "panic button" to the guard station and that was that.
Ever since we left I can't help but wonder what must have happened in order for those kids to end up in a situation like that. Sometimes it's a split second decision that can alter your course for ever. I wonder if the crimes they committed were premeditated or if it was merely just a bad decision. I wonder how they could be so deceived into thinking they were on the right track and why they could not choose a better way of life for themselves? Perhaps no one was there to tell them differently, or maybe the lies outweighed the good and so they chose their path. I wonder what type of homes they grew up in and what their influences were.
I could not help but look on these kids with compassion and mercy despite their present set of circumstances.
I am going to be praying for them that God would do a work in their hearts and bless them no matter what things look like as I am unsure what else to think at this point.
4 comments:
Everything you thought of about those boys were the same questions that were running through my mind. My heart is broken for them...I will be praying for them. You truly gave them words that were DEFINITELY given by the Holy Spirit and not of man..((hugs))...
I look at my own 16 year old son, and to think that this could have been him? You do wonder about their home life, where they in the wrong place at the wrong time, on and on those questions go through your mind...
Thank you for sharing..((hugs))
Thanks Angela! I will try to get their names next time I go so we can pray by name. I am still saddened by them. Not sure what to think. Blessings! Natalie :)
Hi Natalie! I'm so blessed you stopped by my blog! Carolyn did a great job on yours!!!
It's so sad to think of what these boys have been through to get them to this point in their lives. I'm sure they were blessed by you guys being there!!!!
HUGS,
Alicia
I am so glad you went there to be any encouraging light to them! My heart goes out them, but you a right, God could use them in there and where-ever they get transfered to in the future! ANYTHING can be used to the glory of God if we just trust and obey!
Love you Nat!
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