Some amazing facts from Jail

The last few weeks have been amazing. So amazing in fact that I thought I need to write a quick blog entry

* Picked up one of our juvies right at the gate when he got released. We are now in the process of pairing him with a mentor to help him navigate through life successfully (BEST. MOMENT. EVER to see him come out, recognize us and see the big smile on his face)

* At one of our locations the inmates have yard time during the summer every other week. My program starts at 6:30. The yard time starts at 7. You could think that 30 minutes cut in the program would really suck, but..... Since there are only 8 of them I spent the other 30 minutes last week shooting hoops with some of them and being able to just hang out. So even though our program is only 30 minutes long, I value the time I get to spend with them outside. So I'm a happy camper (who needs to really work on my Basketball Skills)

* Just a couple weeks ago we talked with the juvies about value and the question in the room was: Why do you matter to God? Their answers were awesome: We matter to God because He created us. And our prayers matter to God as well..
On the matter of prayer we then found out that these guys get together in a prayer circle before they get locked up for the night. A week later I actually saw the prayer circle and heard them pray for each other that night. (By the way, I never suggested a prayer circle! This was their initiative! I always just encourage them to apply their faith NOW!)


In numbers:

• At Jail we have 100% turn out to the program with 2 regular volunteers. 
• At prison we have 70-80% turn out of the target population (under 18 years of age) with one regular volunteer
• We are mentoring 3 kids and 2 parents right now. All of those kids are going through the court system right now. 

The more we work with youth and the court system we realize that there are LOTS of things we have to be aware of. The amount of waivers our parents and youths have to sign is insane, but it keeps it safe for us all.

I'm also very picky in the selection of my volunteers, which is the reason that you don't see crazy numbers... :)

Even though these are small beginnings, I think we are creating a solid base and (prayerfully) youths that will KNOW that God is there for them; no matter what they've done or where they've been.

So thankful to be part of this ministry that is presenting radical grace and Jesus to these kids.

Adoption vs guardianship

The other week I was very privileged to be present at an adoption. It was my first time and it was very memorable.
The main part of the 15 minute ceremony is a list of questions:

• Do you believe this is in the best interest of the child?
• Can you provide for the child?
• Are you aware that the child will have the same rights as any of your natural born children?....

That last question makes you think, doesn't it? When we talk about adoption it is permanent. There's no way out, you can't back out or change your mind.

This is it.....

Working with High Risk Students I sometimes wish that these questions would be asked of people wanting to become parents?

• Do you believe THIS family would be in the best interest of your future child?
• Can you actually provide for your future child?

I've just witnessed the devastation that guardianship can have in a child's life. It is NOT permanent and at any time the child might hear these words:

'I am done! I have wasted 15 years with him/her. He/She treats us like crap and doesn't respect our home at all. And on top of that He/She is not even my real kid. It's just a step kid. I AM DONE.'

The sad thing is, that I am not making this up. I heard those words come out of someone's mouth right in front of their child. His/Her security was gone that moment. What do you think went through her mind.

Guardianship is NOT permanent and I don't even know how this child will deal with what was said.

Looking at faith, I am SO glad that God adopted us as His children. It's permanent. He's stuck with us... It gives me security.

What are your thoughts?

So, the other day...

I went to prison to talk to my juvies... Now, usually I love that time, but things have been super busy, somewhat stressful and that day my trip to the prison just felt like one more thing on a long list of things I had to do... I wasn't into it...

But of course I went... They expect me there and they wait for me. A proven fact, as that day I walked in and one of the officers saw me and said 'Oh good, you are here. They were all worried that you weren't going to come tonight.'

That night I had more of the guys come out than ever before. I am limited by space and can only take a certain amount... And I only had 3 open seats left.

We'd been talking a lot about identity. One of the youth pastors at Central Christian Church had recorded a series of talks on identity and it's been really great seeing these 'kids' wrestle with real stuff in their lives and come up with questions and even some answers.
That night was the last part of the series and it was about passing it on. We talked for quite a while about how we all have gifts and skills that we can use NOW to help others. We even talked about respecting others and how that needs to include the officers. (They like to brush right past that!)

It was a great night and even though I certainly 'wasn't feeling it' when I set out to go, I was so glad I came.
As I was walking out, waiting for my escort, the bubble officer (the guy that sits up top and I really have hardly any contact with him) talked to me through the port (little loudspeaker by the door).
'Hey Mam!'
Me: 'Yeah???' (thinking: What have I done wrong?)
Him: 'Hey, you're a doing a good thing there! Keep doing what you're doing!'

Now, I don't go to prison because I get a pat on the shoulder, but on days like this it was such an encouragement to know that I've made that right choice. Hardly ever have I heard officers say encouraging things like that. And especially not just through the port. That was amazing!

So glad to be part of God Behind Bars!

Men's prison... For the first time.

In September 2011 I joined God Behind Bars with the plan to reach youth for God. It's a very general plan, but since I had never worked in prisons before it was probably a good thing it was so general.

We are talking youth in prison or youth who have a parent in prison and need a little help staying out (statistically they are 84% more likely to end up in 'the system' themselves)

So I worked towards that goal:
* Once a month I joined another group that already goes into a youth prison
* Once a week I go to a youth court and offer services as a mentor for youth that is in trouble.
* And once a week I share the God Behind Bars youth version at the jail, hanging with 16 and 17 year old's

Those youths in the jail are being treated as adults before the law and some of them will be sentenced to prison.

Since the beginning of December now I am able to 'follow' these youths to prison and continue to share with them about Jesus! It's one of the most exciting things ever!

In jail they have nothing to do and are quite happy to come to my program. But in prison this 'church thing' is part of their free time. And so far I still had more than half the unit show up to our program every week!

Would you pray with me...?

* Some of the youths in jail and also in prison are only there for a short time. I keep on telling them to find me at church, but they are unsure of church and other Christians. Pray that they come and we can help them on the outside.

* Some of them want to help their families. But they have some really crappy ideas that will get them right back into jail. Pray that they can find a legal job!

* The most repeated question I get is 'Can Jesus fix murder'. And while I have the best answer ever, it takes a while for that truth to settle. Pray for them to find Christ and be radically changed on the inside

* And a prayer request for myself: I need lots of prayer, clarity and strength! I love what I do, but you can never relax when you're inside. Also, a practical request: The prison is outside town and adds 100 miles weekly. That's a bunch more on my car, but also my gas money budget. Pray that God would provide for me!! :)

Conversations in Jail...

I haven't blogged in a while.

But of course I've been around my juvies. Remember them? Yep, some of them are still on the inside. And since the last time you heard from me we also had some new additions.

Over the last few weeks this is what's been going on:

One of them keeps on complaining that he feels bad now when he does something wrong. He's never had that before and it bugs him. (I tried to explain to him that this is one of the first ways that God speaks to us. He's still chewing on that)

Most of them have a hard time understanding that God really cares and loves them. They've been bad for so long that they truly believe that there is no hope for them. This is one of the saddest statements I have ever heard.

We talk a lot about church and if they would ever fit in. Most of them think that they will stick out like a sore thumb at church and every one will look at them. They are concerned about what to wear and if they can actually wear their usual attire (some of which would be associated with gang colors). 

These conversations help me understand how hard it is for someone to come to church and this also helps me to be aware of how much I judge at times. How cool would the world be, if these kids would just have to deal with their own insecurities about coming to church, rather than having to deal with the very real reality that people at church are going to judge them. 

(We don't like to admit that, but let's be real here: We all do!)

They have major questions about faith, God, Jesus, the Bible and dinosaurs. More questions than I will ever be able to answer. So I am talking with some friends who will help answer some of these. Even though I am not the right person to address most of these questions, it fires me up, that they have these questions in the first place. Stuff is moving along. 

Sometimes you hear stuff you don't want to hear. Like when they have court and feel like cussing out the judge was actually a good idea. Or when they feel like the whole world is against them just because of the color of their skin. Or when you meet one of the guys... AGAIN. (after he had been released). 

My prayer: 

I'm asking God to continue to show 

His love and His grace to these kids. 

I am praying for their unit to be known 

for kindness and respect in the whole prison. 

Please join me in that prayer. And if you know stuff about the dinosaurs and God, please let me know! :)

Conversation in Jail: Poof and gone...

A while ago I walked into my usual Juvie session and noticed that 2 of my regulars were not there. So I asked where they were, kind of expecting an answer about them being in trouble and not allowed to come.

The answer I got though was different: 'They had their sentencing and have been sent to prison.'

That statement still rocks my world. And don't get me wrong, I am NOT questioning the justice of it all. I can not ever do that, especially since I don't know what these guys have done. The only thing I know is, that they have been bad. Some of them VERY bad.

I just have seen glimpses of awesomeness in these guys. Glimpses of just scared 16 or 17 year old guys. And I know a little bit of what a maximum or medium security prison is all about. And it scares me to know that these 2 guys are now in prison.

There was so much more I could have and should have told them about Jesus. But I didn't get the chance to do that. I didn't even get a chance to say good bye.

It makes me sad, but I know the God I serve: The God who can fix murder! And I can trust that He is still with the guys in prison now.

In John 17:4 Jesus says that 'He completed the work you (God) gave me to do.' It's an extraordinary statement considering that there were still sick people and still many people who hadn't met him. Yet He says that He COMPLETED the work. But it's about the work that God GAVE him.
So my hope is that I have completed the work in 'my' 2 juvies and that God will send someone else to continue the work that has started. He's cool like that!

Another lesson in trusting God. When have you needed to trust God with people you loved?

Violence in Jail

So it finally happened.
An outburst of violence in the jail while I was there. It had to happen once. Now it did.
It wasn't directed at me or even any other person. The door took a beating. But if the officer wouldn't have responded so quickly it could have been 'someone' instead of the door.

I realised during my lesson that something was up. 3 of my juvies were VERY distracted. And once they were dismissed and on their way to the room they started to 'sort it out'.

Honestly? It was a bit scary. Not because I was in any danger (I wasn't). But because it showed me what these guys are capable of and it reminds me why they are in there.

Has anything changed? No. I still love hanging with them and know I am safe as long as I abide by the rules of the facility. This was just a good reminder.

Conversations in Jail - Jesus

How do I help my juvies understand how much Jesus loves them?
How do I make them understand how blessed I feel because I can spend time with them every week?

Their understanding of Jesus and Faith is basic at best. 3 months ago one of the worship songs had the word 'Hosanna' in it and they asked 'Miss, who's Hosanna?'

Every time I tell them that I KNOW people who would want to spend time with them and help them be successful they say 'Miss, who would want to spend time with us? We are criminals?'

There are so many things that make it hard to talk about Jesus. (One is, that they keep on calling me 'Miss')

But every few weeks I lay it out there. Every few weeks it's not about living a different life, but it's about the person who gives us life.

This was one of the weeks.

We talked about sin and how ALL sin separates us from God. No matter how big or small. In that way sin is sin and we are all the same before God.
We talked about the difference of consequence for some sins. Stealing a car and running a red light are a little different in consequences.
Then we talked about how God says that there is not one righteous person.

This was to lay the ground work. To help them understand that ALL sin separates us from God.

Then I moved on to what God has done for us. How He sent Jesus for 'WHOEVER'. I talked about who a whoever is.
We talked about what love is and that God loved us first. And how He's not insecure, so that if you don't love Him right now, He's not gonna sit in a corner and cry. But He's still gonna love you.

And then we talked about the 'now what?'. The fact that God wants to change their lives NOW and not when they get out. That is the hardest thing for me to explain and for them to get. I don't speak from experience here, but I know that they can do it!

They CAN do the hard things instead of just coasting (not swearing for a day!)
They CAN be an example in speech, in conduct, in faith in purity.. (1. Timothy 4:12).

You know what was weird? Usually during my talks (they are a bit of a hybrid between a talk and a small group) there are lots of interruptions. Comments, tangents, jokes.... There are a lot of things going on and often I have a hard time keeping their attentions.

But when I did this talk the room was eerily quiet. They all seemed to listen. There was no joking, no questions, no tangents. They just listened. They looked at me and listened.

And suddenly I had that hope again. The hope that God HAS a future and a hope for them. And that it's good. The hope that I will see some of them on the outside and see them succeed. Hope that I am not alone in this. But God is always right there.

I needed that.

Conversations in jail - Dads

This was not a conversation, but more an observation of the atmosphere...

When I go in to talk with my juvies I show them a DVD of the service from Central Christian Church. I only show them the worship, and then do a hybrid of a talk and small group myself afterwards, going along with whatever series is going on in our Junior High and High School environments at church.

But the worship is on DVD. Even though worship is definitely not their preferred style of music, they actually manage to sit through it quietly and every now and then I can even hear them 'sing' a word of two.

This time the worship included a description of how the worship leader spends time with his daughter before going to bed. They hang out and sing a few songs together in her room. Quite a special moment for both of them.

During this story everybody in the room got quiet. (There's usually some chatter going on). And I realised that this story struck a chord with them.

I don't know their stories, their families or what they've done. But I think I know enough to suspect that many of them did not have a Dad like that in their life. A dad who would have a special place and a special moment with them when they were little.

Or even when they were older.

The 'special' moments they've had were with their older brothers when they got introduced to gang members and were allowed to do little errands to earn trust.

Of course not every Dad has the time to do what that worship leader was talking about. But I think every Dad should make time to have that special moment or special activity together.

The special moments I remember with my Dad were at Christmas. My Mum prepared everything downstairs and Dad played with me and my brother upstairs, until Mum was ready.
Or the times during summer when my Dad, my brother and me played soccer after dinner.

My Dad wasn't able to do something every day. But he did stuff with us that only he could do (love my Mum, but she can't kick a ball for the life of her!)

So my prayer for my juvies is that God would help them to see Him. And that they would be able to have a special moment or a special activity with God. I've learned that God sometimes uses our parents to care for us, sometimes He uses other people and sometimes He just does it himself.

Since my juvies are kind of restricted by their location and the rules of their location I pray that God would do it Himself! :)

Conversations in jail - fights

Sometimes I ask my juvies questions and I am blown away by the honesty of their answer....

The latest one went like that:

Me: You guys like to see girls fight???
Them: Yes! It's HOT.
Me: REALLY?? You think that's attractive? As in, you would LIKE to go out with a girl who is not afraid to fight another girl???
Them: Heck yes!
Me: ..... 

Of course I had heard that before that guys think that. But it was more like a rumor to me. But to hear it from a bunch of guys (they ALL agreed) and to hear them talk about it so excitedly was kind of shocking to me.

The day before I was at a BBQ and was mucking around with one of the Junior High Boys. He took it one step further and proceeded to start hitting me with his bandana (like the kitchen towel fights). About 2.5 seconds after he started I heard one of the leaders tell him to stop. Reason? Because you don't hit ladies!

You might smile at that, but I was so thankful that someone was looking out for me. (Of course I could have taken on this 6th grade boy... But anybody could have! That is not the point!)
And I was super thankful that there is still this value of treating girls like girls.

Looking at my juvies I wish someone would have been there for them to tell them not to hit girl, not to hurt others, to respect life and even to be able to walk away and still have dignity.

I wish someone would have told them that their identity is not rooted in how many people they hurt or how many guns they have. But that their identity SHOULD be rooted in who they are in Christ. And that there are people around them who want to help them find that.

Like that leader who over the next 3 years will pour his life into that 6th grade boy to help him become a man. A man who will respect girls and who will pick girls that respect others as well.

One day your 6th grade boy or girl might be play fighting with a bandana. But if no one helps them to understand some boundaries I might get to hang out with them at jail. And I don't want that.

Conversations in jail - Names

My Juvies... I wish you could all meet them! They are incredible to me, make me smile, laugh and feel like I know a little better how God feels when we 'don't get it'.

I've told you before that I've been trying to learn names and that these guys sometimes give me their street names, rather than anything their parents may know them by. 

For me, it's ok to call them whatever they tell me I should call them as long as a) it's not offensive and b) they listen when I say 'their name'. 

The breakthrough came a few weeks back when some of them gave me their real name. That's a big deal for them. 

Names are powerful. We see that already in the Bible where names hold a certain meaning about the life of the individual. 

Names give us identity and therefore these guys like their street names. It's their identity. It's what they are known by, by their friends and also by their enemies. If they know how to handle themselves in tricky situations, then their street name carries importance and makes them feared by others. 

And that is also why giving me their real name is a sign of trust. And it makes me excited every time it happens. 

Today it didn't happen. I tried to learn all their names again and couldn't for the life of me remember the name of one of the guys. So they started 'helping' me. 

In the end, he 'suggested' to be called 'smurf' (They all wear blue!). I warned him that that's what I will call him unless he tells me his name (street name or real thing) and he decided smurf was ok with him. 

So I called him 'Smurf' the whole lesson long. And I grew quite fond of calling him that. And I think he did too! This might be the first 'cute' street name ever. 

I hope he keeps it! 

Good night Smurf! Hope you know how much Jesus Loves you! 

Conversations in Jail

I love my juvis. Love hanging out with them. Telling them about Jesus, having them ask questions and generally having a good time.

The other week these were some of the responses I got:

Me: There are people out there who totally want to hang out with you and help you.
Juvi: No offense Miss (that's me... So weird). But no one wants to hang out with ex felons.
Me: No really, I've talked to them. I am one of them
Juvi: Why would they want to do that? We are ex felons. They don't wanna hang out with us. 

Me: Tell me something or someone you're proud of.
Juvi: Oh that's easy. Nothing and Noone.
Me: *heart broken*

Me: I wanna learn your names. (goes around and has them tell me their names. I usually get their street names and never their real names which is fine with me.)
Juvis: Miss, do you know my real name?
Me: No, you never told me!
Juvis: *pause* Miss, my real name is Bradley (name changed for privacy reasons).
Me: *jumping up and down on the inside*

Me: Tell me the most important person in your life and why?
Juvi: My Mum, because she's always been there for me. Even though I am in here!
Me: What was the hardest thing you ever had to do aside from being in here?
Juvi: Tell my Mum what I'd done. 

Me: I want to give you a challenge this week. (we do challenges EVERY week. One that we had to revisit is the one about not swearing. Now it's not just not swearing. It's just not swearing at church. LOL.) This week I want you to replace negative thoughts about yourself with positive ones.
Juvi: (who has been a pain in the behind for the past 6 weeks, has never listened, always been disruptive and been on the verge of being kicked out more than once) I like that challenge! I'm totally gonna do that Miss!
Me: *jumping up and down on the inside!*

These are just some of the conversations that happen when I hang out with them. Actually all these happened in one night! It also should be noted that these are not your average Juvis. I might call them Juvis, but a lot of them will be tried as adults and are seen by the law as adults. It suggests that what they have done was bad. Really bad.
And yet I believe they deserve a chance. First of all a chance to hear about Jesus ('Miss, who's Hosanna??') secondly a chance to be the person that God wants them to be.

Please continue to pray with me for my Juvis. Every Saturday I get to talk to up to 20 of them. And yeah, I kinda like them!

When you find a cool website...

you should share it... 
So I'm doing it...


Click here to read this report


It's a really cool photo report about juvenile detention in the US. Makes me think. 

What got these kids to those places? Not as in, what crime. But what was their home life like?Did they ever have someone who cared enough to actually set breakfast out on a table, with cutlery and plates and stuff? Did someone tell them that they are loved?How were they talked to? Was there yelling in almost every sentence?  

 Why did they mess up so bad?

This is why I love going into the juvenile detention center and talking to them about Jesus and how he took their sentence. He took everything they deserved. 

Grace - getting something we don't deserve

And how can we stop youths from getting into 'the system'? The question I'm asking myself is 'What can I do to give these youths a chance to hear about Christ and to feel loved?


Here's a chart from that website that also made me think:

That really makes me think about the great need of teaching, mentoring and CARING long before these kids become criminal.


What do you think?

Youth in Jail

Every Saturday I get to share with youth in jail. These guys are amazing. And yet, they are bad. Very bad. But so amazing. 
Here are some of my favourite moments from just this last week:

Miss? Who's Hosanna? (while watching the worship DVD) 

Me: How do you make friends?Them: We beat them up, check if they have money in their wallets and then usually we become friends. (totally serious about that. Now I'm thinking I might try this method at church this weekend!?) 

Miss, why doesn't God want to look at us? (question while I'm trying to explain that God is holy and the need for Jesus. Apparently I am not doing a good job at that)

I usually walk out of there puzzled.  And then I look back through the glass door, see them smiling and waving at me and they seem so happy when I smile and wave back. Totally love what I do. Totally worth every weird and awkward moment. You know... The ones that I can't publish here! :)

Happenings over the past few months

RUSH—

 Rewriting Ur Story Here:

RUSH is the youth version of God Behind Bars and what I’ve worked on for the past few months.

It’s about introducing youth to Jesus through a weekend worship experience on the inside; helping them deal with life’s issues through Freedom (Celebrate Recovery for students) and then disciple them when they get out through our mentorship program (Project 22)

We provide mentors who walk with them, check up on them, do stuff together and care. The mentorship program includes things like sports camps, rap/dance studio and more. It’s amazing!

We are getting ready!!!

Twelve volunteers came and got trained (a full day operation) and we were able to video the training to be shown in Vegas, as the center we are working with is 3 hours away.

Needs to be able to launch (please pray)

· Equipment such as projector, screen, sound system etc.

· Games such as Basketball hoop, balls etc

· About 20 more volunteers

My Day with God

At one point I realized I was quite worried about a number of things and to get some perspective I was able to take a day and spend it with God at Mt Charleston. (I’m really blessed that I can even do that kind of thing)

It was a great day filled with good talks with Jesus, new ideas, sorting out my head and gaining new insights and perspective.

Things I learned:

· Psalm 91 still blows my mind

· Things are not as bad as I sometimes think they are

· I came out of the day with a renewed passion for God and going deeper with Him.

Random exciting stuff in short:

· We just recently trained 30 volunteers (getting ready to reach more inmates)

· We also partnered up to put on a huge sports day for kids and youth

· We’re close to launching another adult campus in Colorado

· RUSH launched in the youth unit at the jail 3 weeks ago!!

Random stuff I do and love

· My church small group rocks

· My Junior High Small group has been challenging, but it’s been good. I get to hang out with JH girls… How much better can it get?

· Love going to Midnight Hockey games (game starts at midnight. Oh and I LOVE the mascot!)

· I’m part of the medical team at church again. Because I can and I love it

Random stuff I need or want:

· German Bread (it’s just THAT good)

· Learn Spanish for real

· $$$ for my flight to Germany ($1,500!!! Yikes!)

· Be more positive (that’s a need AND a want)

Website you should check out sometime:

www.godbehindbars.com and www.churchwithinmates.com

Cyber hang outs: 

twitter.com/jackie/doyle and facebook.com/jackie.doyle and jackieinvegas.tumblr.com 

________________________________________________

Yes, you can support me:

For  online giving go to: www.godbehindbars.com and find the ‘donate now’ button on the bottom.
 Make sure you put my name in the comments and questions box to ensure it goes towards me. You can set it up to be automatic and it sends you an email every time it gets taken out of your account.

For 'old school' giving send checks to:

God Behind Bars

c/o Jackie's support

129 W Lake Mead Parkway

Suite 22

Henderson NV 89015

USA

If sending a check please  make it out to God Behind Bars and  attach a note stating: For Jackie

If you have any questions about why, how or how much you can send an email to jackiegotmail (at) gmail (dot) com

Why ....

Ok, truth? 

There are days when I wonder why I do what I do...

And then I click on this link and remember....

God Behind Bars in Oklahoma

A start

RUSH -Rewriting Ur Story Here

Rush is the youth version of God Behind Bars. The idea? Introducing young inmates to Christ by providing a top of the line, relevant worship experience for them; helping them to overcome hurts, habits and hang-ups in their lives by providing Christ centered youth recovery groups and helping them to move forward after they get out by providing mentors in their life. 


So last Saturday was the first time we ran RUSH at the county jail. The jail now has a youth unit with between 15-25 young people who are waiting for their trial. 


20 of them showed up that day. 
Voluntarily.
With lots of questions.
Some of them knowing nothing about Christ. 


It was a challenge, but totally worth it. I thought the worship time was going to be awkward. And it was. And yet after about 10 minutes the awkwardness lifted and they were staring at the screen, taking in the music. 


I thought the games were going to be awkward, but they weren't! I just asked them questions about life. What do you like better? Beach or Pool? (Beach) NYC or LA (LA). 


And then the message. I knew I wasn't going to be able to do a normal message. There was no way that they would let me talk uninterrupted for like 15 minutes. 


It went well in the end. I was able to talk to them about who Jesus is, why He is important and what He's done for us. At one point I got a little nervous, because I knew it was time to finish soon and with all their questions in the middle I couldn't move past the point of 'We all SUCK! We've ALL been bad and deserve death!'
You can imagine my slight panic as I knew I had to keep going no matter how many questions I had to ignore... And I'm happy to report that I did it! Left them with hope that is! We all deserve death, but that's why Jesus came..


Amazing night. To be repeated. Every Saturday! :)


Pray for me!?

The last 15 minutes (7)

I don't know if you can see it, but in this photo I see progress! Hard work, endless meetings, lots of emails, phone calls and talking. 

What is it?

This is a group of volunteers that all made the 3 hour trip to get trained at our first youth detention facility. It's a big deal! People took time off work for this, they sat in a van for 3 hours with a bunch of people they never met and then they sat through 4 hours of training (and it was GOOD training) just so that they can sit again in a van with a bunch of people they still really don't know. We left at 7am and came back 6pm. I was blown away. 

Of course one of the questions is always going to be 'why would you go to a youth detention facility so far away?'

And the short answer is 'Because it's worth it!'. This facility has some of the best staff, best training and best resources. They believe in themselves, in each other and their kids. One of those things you don't really find on a regular basis when working with detention facilities. 

Now that we are done with the training, we I need to put together our own training on how the mentorship program will work and get that started. And the last thing we need is the equipment.. Screens, sound system, projector, TV's, Video Games... All the stuff that would make an environment fun and appealing for a youth to walk into. 

I honestly can hardly wait. While I enjoy heading up some stuff and bringing leadership to projects, it is also time to actually have contact with the youth that I want to reach. It's still a few weeks out, but I can almost feel it...

Funny story: A while ago we had a little get together where we all shared about something that God was showing us. I had a meeting lined up and had to leave early. And I was pretty frustrated with meetings anyway. For a while I had done nothing but meet with people without getting anyway. So I quickly shared how much I disliked useless meetings by now. If I am in a meeting, I want resolution and some sort of action at the end of it. Schmoozing bores me. 
Since then this AWESOME friend (who is way awesome even if she wouldn't do what I am about to tell you) screens people for me! I didn't ask her for it...Whenever someone is interested in our ministry she makes sure she spends time with them before she passes them on to me. Just so that I don't have to go through useless meetings! 
It makes me smile and also makes me VERY embarrassed. Let's just say that my focus is NOT at all her focus! Thanks L. You rock my world! :)

Gotta go now. The 15 minutes are up! 

The last 15 minutes (2)

My last 15 minutes (before I go to bed) from Valentines day 2012. 
Don't even know why I mention Valentines Day - It didn't matter today at all. 


Today I worked at the Media Arts Studio. That's the Studio God Behind Bars runs... well,... behind bars. We work with inmates, teach them skills like graphic design, video editing and stuff like that. Anything they could use when they get released. 


Days when I'm 'on the inside' are exhausting. I don't know why... Maybe it's because you always have to be alert. You are in fact in prison and there are rules you have to follow. And I don't even know half of them.


That's stressful. 


And I can't wear blue. So I call them my non blue days. 
Do you know how hard it is to not wear blue? 
Plus, God Behind Bars has a principle about that: Dress for Success. So I can't even get away with black jeans. 


It's not a big deal, except for the shoes. Let's face it: some sort of heel works best in this attire. But that is NOT comfy. Not all day. Not with most of my heels being a size too small (huge feet problem)


So yes, I'm whining about shoes. I know. First world problems. 




Tonight I hung out with Jesus. I like those times. Rediscovering grace again. Loving it! More later. My 15 minutes are over. :)

The last 15 minutes (1)

             Jackie @jackie_doyle

        Just found out I accidentally signed up for Zumba. Oh this could be interesting. And embarrassing. Probably both. Although after last week....

6:54 PM - 13 Feb 12 via Twitterrific · Details

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Yes, that really happened. I knew I had signed up for a 'fit dance' class. But when I got there and saw 30 other women and all of them in party mode, I already suspected something was wrong. 

And then I asked.

'Yes, this is the Zumba class'

Oh yay me! (my response in my head)

I did it anyway. It was fun. Couple things I found out:

I can follow hip hop

I can follow merenga (but can't spell it)

I SUCK at Salsa

Will probably go back and do one more Zumba class before I change locations. What I really want to do is ballroom. There I said it. I would LOVE to ballroom dance and hip hop dance. Sigh. I'm rather uncoordinated and it takes me ages to learn steps. But I still love it! 


Sue me! :)


Went to prison today! Just for 6 hours. It's what I do...
More later. My 15 minutes are over.