"If you ride with the devil, you're gonna have to let him drive"

Today, my 2nd chaplaincy trip to the Georgia state prison in Jackson, was 2 1/2 hours of real conversation. I met with 4 different guys, 3 permanents and 1 diagnostic. Each of them had a different story to tell, different things on their mind, but each one was seeking time to be human. I think this time I received more help than I gave....



First off, the diagnostic inmate I met with (diagnostics are those who are being held and processed at Jackson until a transfer or placement into a permanent cell-block) was there simply to get signed up for a bible study class. I put him on the list right away, and Mr. Almond, an older African-American man, stood up thanked me and began to go on his way. I chuckled and said "You know you can hang out here for a bit and talk." Eyes wide, Mr. Almond responded, "That would be great! Don't really want to go back to my cell." As I spoke with Mr. Almond, whom I realized can quote more Scripture (very well in fact) than I could, I was shocked to learn that his family was never informed of his transfers among the last couple of prisons. He would have to wait to be processed, then send a snail-mail letter, telling his family where he was. He had just received word that his brother, a purple-heart award Iraqi war veteran, is deathly ill. He came in search of prayer, in search of comfort. He came complaining about the young guys he was placed with on his cell block, that they were in need of direction and mentoring. He came looking for all these things and found me. I'm a young man, as Mr. Almond continuously reminded me. For about half an hour, I sat there and let Mr. Almond teach me and share with me all the amazing bits of wisdom that he had accumulated over his lifetime. The two most memorable being: "Sometimes you just gotta give God's will a chance, and then see what happens," & "If you chose to ride with the devil, you're gonna have to let him drive."

I met with Bobby again today. He continued to share stories of his problems with the guards harassing him, his praying for patience, and the little ways he tries to show love inside a love-less place. Bobby is one of the most constantly happy people I have ever met, and I've met Nick Setzer. Talking with him is just simply a pleasure. Aside from recounting the dehumanizing stories of guard encounters and complaining about eating the same food day in and day out (something I can easily relate to), talking with Bobby feels like talking to an old friend. His greatest source of hope, aside from the Word, comes in the knowledge that his stay at prison is not indefinite. Before he left, right after he finished making plans for me to come to his house for a cook-out and beer, he said with a huge smile on his face, "I'm getting baptized! And not just me, I got a buddy gettin' it too!" From a church numbers standpoint - 2 adult baptisms at one time is pretty freakin' good. From a Christian standpoint - "You are my son, my beloved, with you I am well pleased!"

I've got more to reflect on for this visit later. Right now I'm simply caught up in the realization that my time is so blessed by the faith of these men I visit with. God is good!