An Update

So juvee has been awesome so far this year. We're growing closer with the guys, they're expressing a ton of interest in Christ, and the guys have all been really cool. I haven't been posting as often as I'd like though, so I just wanted to give a quick update about some of the major things that have happened so far.

• About two weeks ago, one of the inmates who had been in there since last spring, and probably the guy I was closest to in there, was moved 'upstate'. I'm not really sure about all of the ramifications as far as to what 'upstate' means, but from what I hear it's generally a rougher environment. He was excited about getting to go to court before he was moved up though, due to his getting to see his dad for the first time in about five years. Pray for his protection and that God will get a hold of his heart.
• Another inmate, who I haven't seen in a couple of weeks, told me he his court date was coming up soon, but that he was ok with it because he was truly grateful to have been there (in detention). When I asked why on earth he was happy to have spent time there, he answered that if it had not been for his being there he would have never come to know God. Pray that he continues to grow with Christ, and establishes a firm foundation.
•  One night, Brandon, a freshman from my hall and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, came with us. As we were playing basketball with the guys, one of the inmates and Brandon both went up for a rebound. However, Brandon came down while the inmate was going up. The next thing you know a loud snap echoed through the gym as the inmate fell to the ground holding his hand. He ended up breaking two of his metatarsals, and was in a cast for a while, but now he's getting back to being able to do things again. He's still got some pain going on when he flexes his wrist though, so if ya'll could pray for a full recovery I know he'd appreciate it. 

If ya'll could pray for these guys and what's going on in there, it'd be appreciated a ton. There's some real awesome things going on in there, and I'm really starting to see the importance of prayer for these guys, and the results that it has. I'll try to do a better job of keeping people updated in the future, but be assured, God is at work in there, and He's doing some awesome things!

P.S. - Brandon was ok. He felt really bad though, and is now the source of an infinite number of prison jokes.

To Nate

I've never met you Nate, and probably never will. Nevertheless, you've had more of an impact than you would probably ever imagine. I was talking with Bean tonight, and we somehow got to talking about his old neighborhood. He lived in the area, and he talked about how every Saturday when he was a little kid, local college students participating in something called Campus Serve would visit his neighborhood.(Campus Serve is a form of ministry where college students go out into nearby neighborhoods and hang out with the local neighborhood kids, build relationships with them, and talk with them about Christ. In a way, it's kind of like Big Brothers Big Sisters in that the students set a pretty good role model for the kids.)

 Anyway, you used to help with Campus Serve. Bean talked about how every Saturday you used to come to his neighborhood and hang out with him. You'd do anything for Bean. You both hung out all the time. You took him on a trip with your college to DC, and would take him to the school cafeteria to eat sometimes too. Bean mentioned how much you meant to him, even going so far as to say that he loved ya (not in a weird way, of course), and wishes that you both were still in contact with each other.

It was awesome to see the impact that you were able to have on another person's life, simply because you were willing to spend time with him. You showed Bean Christ's love, and very possibly were the best role model that Bean's ever had. Thanks Nate. I'm watching as the Holy Spirit sweeps through that place, and He's watering some of the seeds that you planted.