Some vignettes from visiting at OSP, otherwise known as Oregon State Prison. A cold, forbidding place, not so welcoming. Not a place anyone wants to be.
And yet people do end up there. We have clients there and at other prisons in our state. Did you know there are 13 prisons in Oregon?
Many people who are serving time have families. These brief vignettes are a window into their lives . . .
An older dad comes to visit his son. Each time they sit at the same table. Each time they have a stack of games to play. (These are allowed in the visiting room). Each time the dad gets treats from the vending machines. Only guests can approach these machines. Inmates are not allowed to do so. They have conversations about science and mathematical principles.
Another family . . . We see a young girl, about five, dressed in her Sunday best. She carries a stack of reading books back to the shelves and then runs, with lovely long hair flying, back to be with her dad again for the time they have to visit.
Also see two tall brothers who are trying to comfort their weeping mother who has come to visit. They keep patting her and trying to be reassuring. The mom weeps for a while.
In the narrow room at the back of the visiting place is a small play area for kids who are visiting, a dad is tossing a foam football back and forth to his kiddos. They are laughing together, enjoying one another in the moment.
There are four 'stair-step' boys ranging in age from about 4 to 10 years. They are all dressed in jeans and bright white T-shirts and have slicked back hair. Their mom is 'riding herd' as they wait for their dad and husband to be released that morning. Such joy as they run into his arms when he walks through that door!
So GLAD that Love INC is now working with TWO different organizations that help inmates and their families. THANK YOU to Prison Fellowship and also to Home for Good. You are making a real difference in the lives of people whom God loves. THANK YOU, local volunteers who also visit people in our local jail. It means so much to them and to our Lord. You are fulfilling scripture when you visit those in prison.
It is good to know that this too often forgotten population is remembered by God who places His people everywhere. Their stories are not over yet. Praying for redemption and transformation for all.
And yet people do end up there. We have clients there and at other prisons in our state. Did you know there are 13 prisons in Oregon?
Many people who are serving time have families. These brief vignettes are a window into their lives . . .
An older dad comes to visit his son. Each time they sit at the same table. Each time they have a stack of games to play. (These are allowed in the visiting room). Each time the dad gets treats from the vending machines. Only guests can approach these machines. Inmates are not allowed to do so. They have conversations about science and mathematical principles.
Another family . . . We see a young girl, about five, dressed in her Sunday best. She carries a stack of reading books back to the shelves and then runs, with lovely long hair flying, back to be with her dad again for the time they have to visit.
Also see two tall brothers who are trying to comfort their weeping mother who has come to visit. They keep patting her and trying to be reassuring. The mom weeps for a while.
In the narrow room at the back of the visiting place is a small play area for kids who are visiting, a dad is tossing a foam football back and forth to his kiddos. They are laughing together, enjoying one another in the moment.
There are four 'stair-step' boys ranging in age from about 4 to 10 years. They are all dressed in jeans and bright white T-shirts and have slicked back hair. Their mom is 'riding herd' as they wait for their dad and husband to be released that morning. Such joy as they run into his arms when he walks through that door!
So GLAD that Love INC is now working with TWO different organizations that help inmates and their families. THANK YOU to Prison Fellowship and also to Home for Good. You are making a real difference in the lives of people whom God loves. THANK YOU, local volunteers who also visit people in our local jail. It means so much to them and to our Lord. You are fulfilling scripture when you visit those in prison.
It is good to know that this too often forgotten population is remembered by God who places His people everywhere. Their stories are not over yet. Praying for redemption and transformation for all.