It was an incredible experience!  (2006-12-18)

It was an incredible experience!  Many of the inmates were so appreciative of us for coming and just thanked us profusely as we shook their hands.  When I put aside any fears or pride I had in just shaking their hands and wishing them a Merry Christmas, they were just so happy it made me want to cry.  Then I saw one of the men crying in one unit and it made me start to cry.  I even reached out to shake hands with some of those tough looking guys in the corner and they seemed to soften up.

The testimonies of the inmates were such an inspiration also.  God can really change lives and God has so much love for people.  I hope their testimonies would encourage many others to step forward to make a commitment to Christ.

I can't even begin to understand what they must feel like in there.  That time in there when we were caroling may have touched them but it also touched me.  Some of them just needed a little human contact even if it meant a handshake and a warm greeting.  It's easy to take for granted our freedom and friends and family.

God blesses you when you step out in faith out of your comfort zone.  God used the opportunity of caroling to challenge me to love and reach out to others I would not normally reach out to.

Thanks for the invitation to caroling and I would love to do it again next year.

Nancy