I'm Excited!!! A New Braille Source in Louisiana!

We order our students' textbooks, some materials and equipment from a lending library hosted by the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired called Louisiana Instructional Materials Resource Center or LIMC. Those of us who are intinerant have to work very closely with the staff there.
Recently, Robin, the lady who runs it mentioned something I had thought of earlier and she's just the person to get it started! She knows I do prison ministry, particularly Kairos Prison Ministry, at Angola and she would like to start a braille textbook industry there like they have at other prisons
across the country.

Lot's of wonderful, productive industries happen at Angola as well as a strong Christian community so I am hoping that Warden Caine approves this idea. I would certainly like to help and would be interested in teaching the use of the computer transcribing programs.

It would make getting textbooks out to our kids a lot easier and bring down the cost of ordering them from out-of-state sources. I'm excited about this!

Kairos Cookie Cartoon

GoAnimate.com: Kairos Cookie Caper by mskathy0724

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

The Rest of the Story Behind the Text

Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 11:03 PM
Subject: The Rest of the story: Behind the Text

If you received this cryptic text below from me earlier I promised to tell you the details when I got home. I'm finally tucked in. My mentee in the Second Chance Mentoring program wrote a letter to the judge by whom she was supposed to have been sentenced. The judge had a "sub" that day she was sentenced. The "sub-judge" was tough, handing out longer time. So, my mentee had been in jail since November and was not to be released until April 8--a whole month away. Anyway she was called to court to talk to the judge and I got a call from her on Wednesday saying she was released but papers were being processed. She and an employee in EBRPP gave me a number to call to check on the paper processing. I had a tough time getting through so at Brother Checo's (my mentor coordinator) suggestion I ran to get her something to wear and I called a lady Brother James suggested.  This lady had a transitional house with a free bed. Not being able to contact the "paper people", I drove up to the gate at EBRPP. The security officer said she'd not been processed and the only way she could get out before April 8 was if she was bonded out. That's what the "paper people" told me as I called again from the parking lot getting through after letting it ring about 10-15 times. So we relaxed. We had until April to get her straight with housing, clothes, etc. You see, everyone who gets out of jail cannot go home. This lady was homeless after leaving an abusive husband and she'd been coping with alcohol when she was arrested. She wants a structured, faith-based program that will help her stay off alcohol, get a job and manage her own money and time. Then yesterday evening as I was leaving work late, just as I discovered I had a flat tire, I received another call from  my mentee! She was being released NOW! Checo was on his way to church and turned around so I wouldn't be there alone in the dark. Problem was we had no place to take her and everyone we called was no answering their phones. We'd been expecting her the day before in an emergency and now we were in emergency mode again and it was after 5:00PM.  Finally Checo thought to call his former employer who had a room for the night at a home for disabled adults. Today Checo called and said they'd be willing to let her stay there! She only has the one set of clothes I picked up for her on the way at the Dollar Store. Later I'm taking her to the church closet for clothes but they're not open until Thursday. So that is why I texted some of you. My daughter, my mother and I found a few things in our closet and so did one of my Kairos sisters and I'm meeting Tara at EBRPSS tomorrow to see if she found anything. Between us there should be enough to last until we get to Mt Pilgrim's Clothes closet. I will be taking the donations with some toiletries to her new place tomorrow. Thanks!!! http://www.kathyskids.org Ms. Kathy's Kids Blog: http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/ --- On Fri, 3/11/11, @txt.att.net <@txt.att.net> wrote: From: mskathy's cell Subject: To: mskathy Date: Friday, March 11, 2011, 5:56 PM Ladies. If u have any size 14/16 outfits size 7.5-8 shoes, call me. [Mentee's name] was released last evening & needs a change b4 I can get to my church's clothes closet -- ================================================================== This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

Kirstee's Release...

...is 8AM Friday. To refresh memories, Kirstee is my mentee in the Second Chance Mentoring program who was homeless and sleeping under highway bridges before her incarceration. She wears sizes 14-16 ladies and size 8 shoes. I will need the clothes everyone promised. I can pick them up this week. If you are at one of the schools I go to please have them with you at school by Thursday afternoon. Thanks, Everyone, for your support! Kathy http://www.kathyskids.org Ms. Kathy's Kids Blog: http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/

Kairos Kids' Agape--Too Cute

Oh boy!
I took this picture of one of the cards a child made for Angola Kairos #50. We always need stuff like this for the ministry. It can be mailed to POB 74514 Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4514

Wake Up Call (Part 1)

Saturdays I spend about an hour at the city jail in a mentoring program. I volunteered to spend a year with a mentoree who is going to be out within six months--following her for about six months inside and six months outside. We help them make a plan for when they are released, talk with them and provide them with resources like transportation to a half-way house upon release, clothes, job leads and the like. The time we meet with them inside is precious. They come even though they will not receive any certificates.

This is not a part of Kairos Prison Ministry but a program funded by a federal grant. So we cannot bring up religion unless the ladies open the door. Very often they open the door.

We had one lady who really wasn't part of the program but she enjoyed the talks we have in the classroom. Although we meet as a group, we are one-on-one mentor and mentoree. At anytime that our mentorees want to speak to us alone we can separate to a corner of the room to speak in private.

My first mentoree had an awesome plan. She knew her family would be there to support her. She couldn't wait to have a talk with her son who was expecting her second grand child. She is in her early 30s and he is about seventeen! But she was planning on trying to open a restaurant after working while staying with family until she could get on her own. She'd made it known to some of the others when I was not present that she would have to celebrate her release with a cold beer and a party somewhere! I gave her a week of celebration before I called her at the number she gave me. When I received the obligatory call back, I knew that she'd been to the halfway house for just two days because their were too many rules for her to follow. She had decided to stay with some friends on the other side of town rather than family. I'm assuming family had too many rules also. Her last words in the phone call were with the attitude , so here I am having a good time and no one will hire you when you've been in jail anyway so this is it. See ya.

Just last week on my way to one of my first schools of the morning, I get this panicky call: "Ms. Kathy! I need help! I found me a nice apartment and I'm all moved in but I ain't found a job yet and the rent is due and I really don't wanna lose this apartment. Can I get in touch with Ms. ___? I need some help from Second Chance. I really don't wanna lose my apartment!"

My husband's term for it: backassward. We discuss baby steps and what order to take them and how it takes time before you get your job and then your own apartment. I told her I'd give her predicament to the leaders of our program and advised she call my church. I know they take care of rent and utilities for people in dire need but I couldn't guarantee anything  from them. I was sitting out in front of my first school of the day while I gave her the phone number to the church office.

Meanwhile, I'm given a new mentoree that my sponsor claims is just made for me because she is an eighteen-year-old runaway. I was starting to think they figured she should be mine since my husband is white and since the girl is, too, then I should be able to talk to her. I really could see no other reason at first. This child was used to talking a certain way to be manipulative for survival reasons. She couldn't look me in the eye and she had these stories...

That was about hurt, shame and hiding things when you think people who know your insides might use it against you in some way. She had to know that we didn't ask what she did to get there because it didn't matter. She needed to know that what she told us stayed with us. She needed to know that we were not the ones with whom she needed to play her usual games because we didn't want anything or need to be convinced of anything. Nor were we there to look into her case or have anything to do with court or sentencing.

I sensed years of stuff hanging around her neck. I gave her a forgiveness paper. Just a regular piece of notebook paper with the large words "FORGIVENESS" written across the top. I told her that it may seem like a silly insignificant thing to do  but she should make a list of people that she needed to forgive and let go. I told her that she could take as many days as she needed to complete the list. We do this activity as part of the Kairos Prison Ministry weekend and the guys make a big ceremony out of it. It really releases burdens from unforgiveness.  It was the type of assignment she could keep to herself. If she wanted to share it, she could, but she didn't have to. I wanted her to review her list, pray over it and then tear it into tiny pieces and flush it  down the toilet or throw it in the trash--but let it go.

(Stay tuned for Part 2--if I don't go to sleep this evening)

The Esther House Applications

I volunteer for Second Chance Mentoring which is a program in which volunteers serve as mentors to folks in parish jail so that they do not return nor "advance" to state prison. Please read below for  how you can donate items or your time for one of the recovery houses. Thanks!

http://www.kathyskids.org
Ms. Kathy's Kids Blog: http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: EULA S
Subject: Re: The Esther House Applications

Thanks, William! Passing it on to my group of mentors.

Eula Shelmire George

Romans 10:9-10

Jeremiah 29:11

Philippians 4:6-8

---

From: William Bradford
To: w Sent: Wed, August 4, 2010 2:52:19 PM
Subject: RE: The Esther House Applications

Sorry, no attachment again! It gets me every time J

William Bradford

Correct and Recovery - Director of Re-Entry

(225) 445-5612 cell

(225) 924-1910 work

(225) 924-9188 fax

http://www.correctandrecovery.com

---

Correct and recovery (C.A.R.) is now taking applications for The Esther House. I've attached the application to this email. Once it's completed it can be mailed or faxed to me at the contact information on the application.

Also, please help me spread the word to the community that we're looking for help in the following areas: (1) hygiene products for the ladies, (2) appliances, (3) clothes, (4) dishes, (5) eating utensils, (6) a Godly mentor that will disciple them in the Word (1 per client), (7) help getting them connected to a local church, (8) volunteers to teach life skills and Bible studies during the week.

If you can help with any of the above items, please let me know.

Thanks again!

William Bradford

Correct and Recovery - Director of Re-Entry

(225) 445-5612 cell

(225) 924-1910 work

(225) 924-9188 fax

http://www.correctandrecovery.com

HB No. 195--Rep. Mills

We go in as Kairos Prison Ministry and see the guys at Angola who are proven rehabilitated, yet the cards are stacked through this parole system to where those will never get out. Remember how tough it was for us to get Brother Wilbert Rideau out although he was a far different person when he was convicted at 19 years old than he was in his forties? There are many brothers who had just one nonviolent offense who have crazy sentences, are model inmates who could be productive, tax paying citizens. Besides that, here in Louisiana, a member of the parole board doesn't have to be a professional in this area either--but that's another issue. Bottom line: Support this bill!

HB No. 195--Rep. Mills
Abstract: Changes the number of votes required to grant parole to offenders convicted of certain offenses under specified conditions.

Present law provides for the Parole Board, the process for granting parole, and parole eligibility.
Present law provides that the board shall meet in a minimum of three-member panels at the adult correctional institutions on regular scheduled dates, not less than every three months.

Three votes of a three-member panel shall be required to grant parole, or, if the number exceeds a three-member panel, a unanimous vote of those present shall be required to grant parole.

Proposed law provides that the parole board may grant parole with two votes of a three member panel, or, if the number exceeds a three-member panel, a majority vote of those present if all of the following conditions are met:

1. The offender has not been convicted of a crime of violence or a sex offense.
2. The offender has not committed and disciplinary offense in the 12 consecutive months prior to the parole eligibility date.
3. The offender has completed the mandatory minimum of 100 hours of pre-release programming.
4. The offender has completed substance abuse treatment as applicable.
5. The offender has obtained a GED, unless the offender has previously obtained a high school diploma or is deemed by a certified educator as being incapable of obtaining a GED due to a learning disability. If the offender is deemed capable pf obtaining a GED, the offender must complete at least one of the following: a literacy program, an adult basic education program, or a job skills training program.
6. the offender has obtained a low-rosk level designation determined by a validated risk assessment instrument approved by the secretary of DPS&C.

Proposed law further provides that offenders who are participating in a work release program at the time of their parole eligibility date and who otherwise meet the board's release criteria, shall be granted parole upon successfully participating in the program for a minimum of six months.

What's A Prayer Chain Look Like? (Thanks for the Participation)

Thanks to everyone who participated in the prayer vigil for Angola Kairos #48. 

Someone asked me how we use them in a prayer chain. You see, we used to have several pages printed and each volunteer on the team would take the printed pages and ask folks to sign their name to the times represented on the slips of prayer sheets. Each volunteer had a two-hour block of time to look for folks to pray. Then they would have to cut them into strips and staple them together. After that they were to return them to me in numbered bags and while we are at the hotel in St. Francisville, I would link each segment of the chain together, making one long prayer chain. 

Then one of the guys who serves as our runner over the 3 1/2-day Kairos Weekend  would take the prayer chain into the prison in a huge garbage bag. The chain is then hung up inside the prison where the workshop is being held. It is draped around and around and up and down the room. As you can see in the hotel photos below, thic chain was pretty long. 

During the weekend, it is explained to the prison residents that someone is praying for them 24/7 during the 3 1/2-day weekend and that each link represents someone praying for them in a 10-minute block.  They can actually walk up to the physical representation and they are awed by the prayers!


This time I made sure to take pictures of the chain before it was sent it into the prison so that those of you who signed up and prayed will have some idea of how the physical chain looked.

ExCePt FoR tHeSe

I have people contact me and ask for prayer in sickness and in bad times. I am grateful for the opportunity. I'm grateful they see something of God in me that they find me worthy to share in their prayers for their family and friends. Sometimes it's those requests that remind me to talk to God each day, so for that I am grateful.

The Bible admonishes us Christians to "pray without ceasing." However, some of us want to put restrictions and conditions on God. We only pray when we want something to go our way and we want God to bless what we want. "Oh, God! Let this scratch-off ticket bring me one million bucks! Just ONE million is all I ask!" Dude, God knows you're a jerk with $100 and that you'll just be a bigger jerk with a million bucks!

More seriously, though, folks put limits on their prayers as if they really belong to themselves and are to be doled out only for certain causes and for certain people. I actually saw someone who didn't know better, thinking it was fine to pray for something bad to happen to someone they didn't like. Can you say "Way off base!" Boys and girls?

Prayer is simply talking to God. It's not always about asking for what you want. It's also about praise, worship and thanks. In the model prayer, which some folks call The Lord's Prayer, Christ is teaching how to pray using praise, request, thanks.

I am mentioning it here because as we do Kairos Prison Ministry, we always have a prayer chain for the 42 prison residents who will participate in the 3 1/2-day spiritually uplifting workshop and for the team of gentlemen and ladies who will serve on the team. There are actually babes in Christ who feel such ownership of their prayers that, though they consider themselves to be devout, they will limit how they dole out their prayers and say, "No, I will not pray for those people."

With that said, I have combined a TOP TEN list of reasons that Christians do not pray--which are not really reasons at all!


1. They don't like us and they are not praying for us! (Heard a lot after 911)
2. I don't have a "podium"/ don't know how to make the words sound right in the group.
3. They are not in our church.
4. They don't look like us.
5. They don't deserve my/our prayers.
6. It's useless/ fruitless. What's the point?.
7. I don't have someone to pray with me.
8. I just don't like her/him/them.
9. They're too young/old/insignificant
10. I have not forgiven her/him or someone they bring to mind.

Now with my fussing done, prayerfully consider joining our prayer vigil for February 18-21. We know that everyone is not called to go inside the prison with us so we give you an opportunity for your blessings from the outside. Click the link in the title or copy and paste this link into your browser area: http://www.3dayol.org/Vigil/GetVigil.phtml?pvid=4110&commid=1462
The system will ask for your email but it will only be used to remind you of the 10minutes you chose to pray. It will not print out on the physical prayer chain.

What will happen is that during the workshop a physical prayer chain will made from colored paper and strung across the classroom during the weekend. It is a physical reminder and encouragement for the 42 particiapnats that people who don't even know them are praying 24/7. It really amazes them to see a representation of people from all over the world in prayer for them throughout the workshop.

http://www.3dayol.org/Vigil/GetVigil.phtml?pvid=4110&commid=1462

Kairos Weekend Part 2 (or the birth of Francine)

The weekend was a blast although it can wear ya down. I was thinking as I tried to get out of bed this morning that perhaps I should have taken an extra day off from work just to rest and recuperate. I am so thankful that two of the ladies stayed behind at the hotel with me to help with some of the agape duties before they went to help at the prison's culinary school kitchen.



The prayer chain on Thursday night was most involved. In the past I have had to get a physical chain ready with blanks for names and times written in. Each team member was given a two-hour block of prayers to collect from church members, friends, etc. I would have to go on line or email my friends in South Africa and Ireland whom I have met via this ministry and ask them to take our wee hours of the morning slots that are the middle of the day for them. Ultimately, the guys on the team would forget their chains, have them partly filled or just not do them. This time, I had the chain on line at 3dayol.org. It made for the most complete chain we had ever had. I took my net book and a little printer and I was able to download the prayer chain from the web site and print it on colored paper at the hotel. Two other sisters helped cut them out and we stapled together 468 links n the prayer chain. If it had not been for them I would have been up half the night trying to cut and staple the chain.



The other way, the men cut and staple their own assigned parts of the chain but I don't always get all the parts. This way every prayer is accounted for.



The purpose of the chain is for it to be a visible representation to the inmate participants of the prayers that are being lifted up in their behalf during the 3 1/2-day weekend. With an orderly chain they can walk up to the chain and see who is praying at that particular hour. They are overwhelmed by this to be sure.



On Fridays I get the agape bags ready. We have collected items from all over for those bags. I will not say what except to say that when you are asked, it's a cool thing to do. i don't want to spoil the surprise in case there is someone who may receive such a bag at a similar spiritual walk. When the guys leave the prison on Friday night they load the bags with their letters. Some of them are up half the night. I give them until Saturday morning before they leave for the prison to get their items in the bags. Saturday morning I have to get them taped up, grouped into table families and bagged by table family in jumbo trash bags. Then I get to take them up to the prison by 10AM.



This time, as I came to the prison gates on Saturday morning, my name was not on the gate pass. One of the security ladies remembered me from the last time I was on a team so she had her partner take my license and call to the back where they were holding the workshop. By the time the message got back there, through telephone wires and radios,my first name had become garbled into "Francine." My husband was asked if he knew anyone with that name and of course he said, "Never heard of 'em."



The ladies in the culinary school kitchen were called and my good friend the head cook said, "Well, that is Kathy's last name but maybe that is her middle name. But, yes we are expecting a lady with that last name."



At any rate I was allowed to drive back of Main Prison Complex to the culinary school with my garbage bags. "Franceeeeeeen is in the house!" I said when I arrived. Among by kitchen friends I am now Francine with extra emphasis on the "eeeeen." One cannot say a simple Francine. It has to be said in just that way---or I do not answer. Perhaps I will start another blog for that alter ego and include just the right amount of Es in the title which is at least 3.


Saturday evening is the most relaxed day. I was able to stay at the culinary school with the ladies and the two residents who man the culinary school kitchen for a couple of hours. The two culinary school residents are lovely, soft spoken guys who love it when the Kairos ladies come. We had lunch after the workshop lunch was taken over to the guys and then a few minutes to play the spoon game. Then it was back to work at the hotel for Franceeen!



Saturday night is the best! That's when we get to hear the reflections of the new people on the team. I took plenty of pictures which I intend to share with the team on either flicker or Kodak. I have a special surprise for Morris, our team leader. At any rate, the leader is given a plaque and we all share the wonderment of the Holy Spirit as we witness it over the weekend.

Then we get ready for Sunday!



Well, I have used two breaks to write this much. Part 3 at a later time.

Kairos Weekend (part one)

It works!

I'm in the middle of my duties as the agape chief for Kairos Prison Ministry at Louisiana State Penitentiary for men at Angola. The men on the team go inside the prison and give a 3 1/2-day workshop to 42 residents on the love of Christ.

Inmates are used to people coming into the prison, thumping the Bible at them, telling them they are such sinners and then leaving. Kairos is a different type of ministry where the volunteers become the Bible and they demonstrate the Bible by becoming its hands and feet.

We have a special cook team who remain outside of the workshop. My friend Juanita has a gift for cooking large amounts of home cookin'-style food. We had a lady who cooked fancy gourmet stuff but the best for the ministry is to cook food that reminds them of home. Since this is south Louisiana, that may include fried chicken, barbecue, jambalaya and white beans, banana pudding and the like. There may also be men on the outside team who help with cooking or running the food from the outside kitchen to the workshop. Women's teams are just the opposite.The men stay outside and cook while the women go inside and do the workshop hands-on.

My job during these weekends is to handle agape. These are physical items that remind the prison residents that people are thinking about them and praying for them and that God loves them. I start a few weeks before we start having team meetings, which are six to eight weeks before the team goes to the prison. I go to the national web site and let other Kairos groups know that we need prayer and wall agape. Wall agape are posters from Kairos groups that are posted as greetings on the walls during the special workshop. I also make a kit for each team member so that they can collect prayers, cookies and money for the special weekend workshop.

In the past, local churches allow us to use their facilities. The Ladies have even used the kitchen of a nearby school and the hotel's old abandoned kitchen. Now the warden allows us to use the culinary school kitchen at main prison. They love this. It leaves me behind to coordinate agape at the hotel but when I'm done I get to go to the culinary school, too. I also stay behind on Sunday to greet guests and coordinate our convoy of vehicles up to the prison for the closing ceremony.

My husband, whom I met in this ministry, is usually the music leader. He has been so tired when he comes in that he goes right to the hotel room and conks out like a brick. He has not been sleeping well, lately because his daughter is sick and that has been on his mind. He has slept better and far more here each night than he has at home.

Speaking of sleep, I'd better get my nap in while I can. I will post more on what's happening here later tonight or tomorrow.

Prayer Vigil Notification-- Louisiana State Penitentiary - Angola

Great news! Our prayer chain has finally shown up on "3day on line." Seems it sometimes takes a month for it to show after information is submitted. Please forward to your friends and family and ask them to join our prayer chain at the link below. YAY! YSIC, Kathy --- On Tue, 9/8/09, Prayer Vigil Processing wrote: From: Prayer Vigil Processing Subject: [Prayer Vigil Notification] - Louisiana State Penitentiary - Angola To: mskathy0724 Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2009, 4:36 PM Thank you for your using the Prayer Vigil request system on the 3 Day Weekend On-line Website. I pray that it fills abundantly. The following weekend has been posted: =========================================================================== Community Name: Louisiana State Penitentiary - Angola Weekend Description: Men's Kairos Inside #47 Weekend Dates: 12-15 November 2009 (CST:GMT-6) Timezone Offset from GMT: -6.00 Prayer Vigil Coordinator: Kathy Michael Prayer Vigil Coordinator E-Mail: mskathy Comments: Thanks for volunteering to pray for our 3/1/2-day weekend for the 42 prison residents who will attend this spiritually uplifting workshop. Our members are finding that Kairos makes a difference as evidenced in the supportive efforts of warden, Burl Cain. He sees the difference Kairos has made on his campus. This URL will take people directly to this Prayer Vigil: http://3dayol.org/Vigil/GetVigil.phtml?pvid=3859&commid=1462 ===========================================================================

Manny's Request

http://www.kathyskids.org As you know, I volunteer for prison ministry. I meet people from all over. Manny sent this info to me. It's as he wrote it. I promised Manny I'd get this information to as many people as possible. To All Concerned Parties, Conditions in Texas prisons have been very bad for some time. With the Cell phone situation coming to light in October 2008, the every-day life Of death-row inmates has become unbearable. In a quiet manner, most People knew of the cell phones in Texas prisons to include death-row. Given the security measures in place, these cell phones could have gotten Into the hands of inmates by only one route---that being via prison Employees. The price range for this service was also common knowledge. When the existence of these cell phones in the hands of Texas prison Inmates became the subject for newspaper headlines and TV newscast Commentary, the inmate began to pay a terrible price---whether that Inmate had access to a cell phone or not. Abuse of prisoners rose to new Levels that could be only described as atrocities. For those of us who Have family or loved ones on death row or other prison units in the Texas Prison system, the level of frustration has risen to mind-numbing levels. This being especially so because there seems to be no oversight office or Location through which these inmates and associated family members could Attain relief. Many of us have longed for someone to become so concerned With these human-rights violations that they would offer their services To right some of these wrongs. An attorney in Austin by the name of Mary Felps is that person. She has Worked closely with another Texas attorney who is an every-day name to Most Texans because of his courtroom activities and high-profile cases. Even though retired, this attorney may take the task of working with Ms. Felps in an attempt to put death-row conditions back to being bearable. What is required are letters from family members and friends of death-row Inmates describing these abuses, both physical and psychological, and Other details relative to these abuses which might indicate time, date, Supportive facts, etc. These letters need to be sent to Ms. Felps as Soon as possible. If you should know any of these family members, Friends or attorneys, please contact them with this information and Encourage them to write very soon. Ms. Felps address is as follows; Mary Felps PO Box 49339 Austin, Tx 78765

Fw: Kairos

Below is an email from Brother Ryan who will lead the next men's Kairos in June. His team unity meetings start next Saturday May, 9. http://www.kathyskids.org Ms. Kathy's Kids Blog: http://mskathyskids.blogspot.com/ --- On Fri, 5/1/09, Ryan B wrote From: Ryan B Subject: Kairos To: Date: Friday, May 1, 2009, 4:13 PM Dear Friends, Family and Spiritual Community, I am asking that you take a few minutes and read this e-mail because it contains some of the biggest requests I've ever made in my life. I ask that you read with an open mind and heart as I work to write from the same place. A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to visit Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. I had been working with men who were either on probation or parole for the past couple of years in a therapeutic environment and a friend of mine had put together a tour to "The Farm." I was interested in seeing what life was like at a maximum security prison as many of the men we worked with had spent time there. Angola is a different world; a fascinating place. I learned a great deal as our tour guide shared story after story and statistic after statistic. It is situated on 18,000 acres that were previously slave plantations, surrounded by the Mississippi River on three sides, comprised of five separate camps with over 5100 prisoners. It is estimated that approximately 90% of the men there will die at Angola – most of which are there for crimes that are quite severe. Around the same percentage have lost contact with their friends and family – they stopped writing and visiting long ago. We had the opportunity to check out a few of the places directly as well as meet and talk with a few of the men there. I left that experience having been consumed with feelings of sadness and raw pain in ways that I've never quite felt before. I was literally overwhelmed and exhausted and wound up falling asleep on the bus ride back to Baton Rouge. The next day I had a chance to process my experience with a few close friends and "get out" the feelings that had been stored from that simple visit that lasted only a few hours. I had experienced one of the few deeply transformational experiences I've had in my life, and what happened next further changed my life forever. A couple of months later my friend led a spiritual retreat inside Angola as a part of the Kairos Prison Ministry. I was a part of this retreat having felt a compelling desire to become a part of some movement to bring healing and love to a place that seemed to so desperately need it. What I learned however was that this movement began quite some time ago. Angola was once known as the bloodiest prison in America. A quick google search or a tour of the Angola Museum will share more than enough to easily qualify this title. Reform began a few decades ago but incredible transformation took place when Kairos began holding retreats within the prison in the early 1990's, along with other notable "moral rehabilitation" pursuits such as the introduction of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary which offers prisoners the chance to earn accredited degrees in ministry. Warden Cain's sweeping policy changes had a great impact as well. Since that time Angola has itself transformed with inmate on inmate assaults with a weapon dropping from a staggering 455 incidents per year in 1990 to 60 in 2006. That is progress, yet what was underneath this change? I hold that it is quite simply God's love. Kairos Prison Ministry is an ecumenical Christian ministry whose primary purpose is to establish "Prayer and Share" groups within prison environments. This is begun and shared through an optional 3 day retreat held within the prison where 42 inmate residents may attend and benefit from the experience. While the retreat is wonderful in so many ways, the fact is we leave on Sunday and they stay – still in the same environment, but hopefully with a bit different perspective on life and on Christ's love. Just as we do on the outside, it is so important to have a place and to have people to share our struggles and pray with. These groups meet weekly and offer an opportunity for Christian men to come together and provide a safe place for each other for this experience to take place. The Kairos weekend is based on unconditional love, from start to finish. There are prayers said 24 hours a day while the retreat is happening. Homemade meals are prepared and served to the men and team on the inside. Letters of love and support from adults along with pictures and notes from children are given to the inmates letting them know they are loved simply because they too are a child of God. Approximately 60,000 homemade cookies are brought in over the course of the weekend. 60,000. Yet this is only a small part of that experience. The Kairos weekend contains many moving processes including talks, discussions, a lot of prayer and new learning. It is a very direct and heart-to-heart experience where some ideas are considered that have never been considered before. I've heard the men share how they've never understood God's love in this way, how they've never before been so grateful to experience and learn what they have at Kairos, how they just can't imagine how strangers can do so much for them given where they are and what they've done. Unconditional love is a powerful thing – isn't it? This experience of unconditional love isn't really about the team members though – we are simply carriers and a part of God's love. We are vessels as it is so often said, and this I am clear of as I have seen so many miracles take place in and around Kairos, something that only a connection with God can produce. So why have I shared all of this with you today? On June 11th, 2009, a team of men and women will go into Camp D at L.S.P. for Angola Kairos #46. This team has begun formation and preparations are well underway – and we need your help to make this happen. It takes a great deal of time, energy and money to make a Kairos happen yet even with all the challenges encountered along the way it DOES happen and it's through the support of the Spiritual Community as a whole – all operating as integral parts of God's unconditional love. If you would like to help, if you would like to be a part of this ministry, here is how we ask: 1. Participate: We need men and women to go into the prison to make the weekend happen. Men will actually be in the conference room where the retreat takes place fulfilling many roles that make up the whole experience. Women and men will work in a separate location preparing the meals and preparing and organizing the other physical examples of God's love – prepared by others – which will be delivered to the men throughout the weekend. 2. Pray: Prayers are needed throughout this process. The challenge is great and humans need the love from others and inspiration and guidance from God to be uplifted and reminded that we are not alone in this. You can sign up to pray for specific time slots throughout the weekend, though prayers are welcome at any given moment for the men who will participate and the team that will be there with them. 3. Cookies: 5,000 dozen cookies are needed for this weekend. That's a lot of baking but with hundreds of people helping it happens and is a wonderful way to contribute and be a part of the ministry. 4. Agape: Agape is another word for "God's love." We need letters written in this context as well as drawings and notes from children. Sunday School and Children's Church are great places to do this as well as many others gatherings and individual contributions. 5. Money: Weekend retreats cost approximately $15,000.00 to put on. Expenses include the food for all meals, the travel & lodging for the weekend, the truck rental to bring in supplies and food, the books and items used throughout the weekend, etc. Your tax-deductible donation is another way for you to be an essential part of the ministry. 6. Meals: During the team meetings that take place 5 weeks before the actual retreat, we will have lunch and will need meals prepared for the group. If you have a group (church, office staff, other clubs and organizations for example) that is interested in preparing a meal for up to 50 people please let us know. Rather than going into detail for each of the 6 ways to help I ask that if you are compelled to become a part of the ministry through one or more of these ways, e-mail or give me a call and I'll give you those details. The greatest support I ask for today is your participation. It takes a large team of people and it is a commitment. It is one however that you will never forget and one in which you will know you have changed the world for so many others. Team building and training begins on May 9th and will continue each Saturday until the retreat which is July 11th – 14th. We will meet at First United Methodist Church in downtown Baton Rouge on those Saturdays to prepare to go into L.S.P. and share unconditional love with all of those there. Have you ever been a part of a mission or ministry on this scale? Would you consider discussing with your family and most importantly praying about participating in this event? I am asking you to consider that right now. If you've made it this far in my letter then perhaps there is something connecting you to this opportunity. If you need more information, call or e-mail me now and let's talk. Many of you I've already met or discussed this with. Several of you have already sent in your applications – THANK YOU. I've attached the official application for this retreat for those of you that wish to participate in the weekend. Please send it in over the next few days but let me know asap if you'd like to be there. I also had the opportunity to share my experience of Unconditional Love at my church recently. I shared my experience of Kairos as well – if you'd like another experience of why I'm doing what I do and what it has meant to me, feel free to listen to an audio recording of this message by clicking the following link which will connect you to an .mp3 download of the service: Unconditional Love. Finally, I wish to express my gratitude to God for drawing me to this ministry. It has made such a huge difference in my life in being able to be aware of how much God loves me and how many wonderful people there are out there as a part of this expression of His love. I am grateful to Malcolm whom introduced me to this ministry and brought me on that first tour. I am grateful for Tamyra for our years in which we worked together with the men who were on probation or parole and participated in our group, where I was able to let go of prejudices and learn more about humanity. I am grateful for my brothers and sisters in the Kairos and Emmaus community that hold closely the importance of sharing God's love with others and work to create a more peaceful and loving experience of life. Thank you all for making a difference. And to those of you that haven't participated yet in this ministry and want to – get ready to make a difference that will last forever. With love and appreciation, Ryan B Please note that this letter was sent to all addresses that are part of the Kairos mailing list or that has passed through my own e-mail account. I pulled addresses from my Outlook and that is all. Know someone that may be interested in this ministry as well? Please forward it to them. Thank you for your considerations.

Taking a Break

The day is almost over and I am taking a break. I ran all this morning. I went to the preschool school this morning, then to a high school, I picked up some stuff and then was back at my home school for lunch. Then I started working on some school stuff (I have found some good stuff I will write about and post photos later)and straightening out this little office room from where I messed it up during testing with the things I brought and the items I rearranged for the student I was testing. I took some things home yesterday but I didn't complete the cleaning/organizing process and I want to be done before spring break.

It has been hard to get anything done on the computer because my work computer is sick. It was giving me the interface for the high school where I was assigned last school term. I saw Intellitools on there and clicked on it thinking that some wise tech had installed it on our school network. Not so. It was a decoy for something that took off my Intellitools and the lessons I'd created. Then my computer became upset with me and said, "Just for doing that--whatever you did--I will no longer allow you to log in. Baby, I never knew ye."

So, here at my school desk/table I have an old GX1 from which I type. I can kinda-sorta look at work email and kinda-sorta type in my blog here. Kinda-sorta.

I received an email during testing about a new student. Of course I couldn't open it until after testing because no on is to have a computer on during testing, even if there is no testing going on in the same room as the computer. My supervisor had forwarded an email from a principal of one of the schools I visit. The email said that this child is visually impaired and no one has been there to see her. Well, I promptly wrote back saying that she was not on the roll Id been given or I'd have been to see her because I'd definitely been to the school to see all the children who were listed on my case load. The way it was stated rather ticked me off, as it implied the child had been there for a time and that I had not.

I'd let the librarian know and she filled out a tech support form for me on March 25--so that will be about three or four weeks with this handicap. I have some visual impairments technology stuff I need to get to the other teachers and I cannot do it here. I do what I can at home but I can't always be awake at home.

I guess the techs are really busy. Doesn't look like a tech will see me until after the holidays. It's a little difficult to log in to the IEP program and do other things I need to do. Ho hum.

It's like being on a roll to get something done and having to stop to go to the bathroom--which is rather my story.(Yeah, I know: TMI). I kinda-sorta get that from my office/roommate. I will be doing something and she wants to talk. I know she doesn't mean anything malicious by it. She probably doesn't have many people who talk to her so I give her a few minutes.As our prison ministry motto says "Listen. listen, love love."

So, I'm using a few minutes break at the end of the school day to write here. It is the last day before we get off for the break--which I call a Resurrection Sunday break rather than a Spring Break or Easter Break because that is what I choose to celebrate.

I have a little more picking up to do in here before I get on the road. So my break is over. Back to work and I'M OUTTA HERE!

Kairos Discipleship Retreat Weekend #16

Ghostship: Voices from the Grave

I will be helping my friends, Luttermaker, with their blog, Ghostship: Voices from the Grave. We met as volunteers in prison ministry some years ago. They have a vested interest in the effects of antidepressants on some people. Some may be dangerous to the user as well as to those with whom they come in contact. I will let them explain after some tutoring about how to maintain and post.

Whether you agree or not, you may find what they post to be intersting to say the least.

My assisting them in this endeavor means only that I find the topic of interest in terms of the children I work with. I'm open to differing views on the subject. Being in prison ministry, I will not express partiality or biase concerning justice or injustice of the court system concerning doctors' prescribing these meds and the results therein.

Mardi Gras Break

I took off a little early from work at the end of last week so I could do my Slave Driving Agape Lady thing this past weekend up at St. Francisville for Kairos Prison Ministry. The ladies who cook were able to work out of the culinary school at the Main Prison complex at LSP. The men go inside the prison each day starting Thursday evening during a Kairos Weekend--which is actually 3 1/2 days. They hold a Christian workshop while we ladies stay outside and do the cooking and the agape.

My job is less glorified and less "glam" but I love it just the same. Besides, it's all to the same end --the glory of God in His service. I work from out of the hotel when we go up there. I get the agape bags together and get the place mats and other agape gifts together including the prayer chains. Then I make sure the tables are ready for when the guys return from the prison each night. When I am done I sometimes have time to go inside and see if Juanita, the head cook, needs any help. It's rare that she does. She's good and a couple of the ladies she trusts to help do the actual cooking are good. The rest just like the idea of being in the kitchen.

There was a new lady on the team named Carolyn. She was very excited as most first timers are, about her first time. She couldn't wait to get inside. Juanita actually had enough cooks and she and the leader wanted to make sure I had help. Both Juanita and I have been ill lately. I just had my last chemo treatment for lymphoma in December and she is struggling with fibromyalgia. Still, everyone wants to get into the kitchen and I rarely have help. I don't do staying up late as well as I used to.

Carolyn and another sister, Sandra, who's been around for a while, were a lot of help Thursday evening. I knew Carolyn wanted to get inside so I told her I could do by myself Friday. That meant there was more for me to do on Friday but that's alright. I'm used to it! I just wanted to have enough free time on Saturday to get some earrings from Grandmother's Buttons, a nice local boutique. Carolyn had a good idea about placing bags with the guys names on them so they could but little notes in each one for each other evenings when they returned from the prison. I dubbed them "Affirmation Bags" an had them out that evening. Of course it took more of my time so I didn't make it inside the prison to glory-kitchen. But that's OK. I wasn't too excited about making that trip.

Closing was spectacumous! The residents were truly touched and truly touching! This was the first time my Hunnee was not on a team but he came up for the closing. So I was able to sit by him the whole time.

One thing I missed was Hunnee singing in church. He had to leave service early to get up to St. Francisville. Pastor called him to his office as he does the associate pastors. The Cheryl, the music minister drafted him to sing with the men's chorus. During his last sermon he'd requested Cheryl play "Surely The Presence" a song we use in Kairos. Cheryl liked it and said she'd play it more in church from now on. So this Sunday was the beginning of "now on" and she points at Hunnee and says, "Brother M, You're drafted!" My mother missed it, too because I had her pinch hitting for me in the four- and five-year-olds' class for Children's Church. So I couldn't get her usual report on how he did.

Hunnee went to evening service. I made sure he left in enough time to grab a bite to eat because he will sometimes not leave himself enough time. I went straight home and fell out on the bed. I didn't even unpack. Mr. Bob Buttons joined me by standing on his blanket at the end of the bed, first watching me and then joining me in a good snooze.

This was Mardi Gras weekend also. We don't do Mardi Gras but it's nice to have the time off. Usually after a Kairos Weekend I have to go straight back to work on Monday morning. But once in a while the Winter/Spring Kairos weekend falls over the Mardi Gras break. This is great because I don't have to try so hard to pace my self when I know the next day I can sleep in! Hunnee is getting used to a quieter Mardi Gras. He's used to being closer to New Orleans where things get a bit wilder and he can't stand all the noise. I told him that there are only two parades here, a few across the river and only one is not strictly family. The ones here don't try to compete with new Orleans so they are usually held before Fat Tuesday.

My daughter and I went to a movie and the rest of the weekend Hunnee and I just hung out at home. We ate lunch out and breakfast at the IHOP.

The picture above is blackmail fodder for his mom. Hunnee smokes but not in the house, so he will stand in the door if his favorite TV show is playing. Here he is getting ready to light up. Busted! This will give Mom something to fuss about. We're both praying that he can stop smoking someday.

It was a nice break for Mardi Gras!