|
12 step/8 Principle Graduation Ceremony
Waseca FCC As we entered the chapel the sounds of clapping and rejoicing of the women was deafening. We were once again welcomed by a large group of women celebrating the joy of a Christ centered recovery group. The women had prepared a hilarious skit on Oprah that depicted “other” ways we can deal with addictions like chocolate. There were musical numbers and an interpretive dance in both English and Spanish. There were two incredible testimonies in both English and Spanish. Letica shared Hebrews 12:1-2 and the spiral effect and emotional dissociation of her addictions. The women were vulnerable and shared openly, transforming the people who were blessed to hear them. This was a message of hope and victory through Christ’s healing power and love. As Jackie played the first 2 songs, our hearts and minds were opened to receive the gift of the Father’s love and forgiveness. The message in these verses was about the grace that has been given to us that we can never earn. It is only through our brokenness that we can truly receive the gifts of the spirit. As I stood in front of these women and shouted “Hello Waseca!!!” the response was amazing. I spoke of the Passion of Christ, of unconditional love, selflessness, and the ultimate gift of his sacrifice. The price has been paid the debt has been paid and the slate is now wiped clean. Jas & Claudia are the 2 main group leaders and it is obvious how much they are helping the women work the steps of the program. Hector presented the certificates to 86 women who completed the CR 12 step/8 principle groups whose lives have been forever changed because of Christ. Hector spoke of how much they have achieved and how they are setting an example for other institutions. They are the “world cup” holders of CRInside recovery! Joe spoke of the importance of doing an inventory. Sometimes the hurts of our past are so bad we don’t think we can love or be loved again. They’ve heard from the other participants that lives can be changed and we are no longer slaves to the sin inside us. We can experience a true sense of freedom even in prison. It’s time to make a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to our higher power Jesus Christ. What a message of hope to be carrying to others on the inside. Amazing things, God things, always happen when we come out of our denial and admit our powerlessness to control our tendency to do the wrong thing. It happens when we proclaim “we believe.” It’s almost as if our lives can be measured by the times we admit that we can’t do it alone, but together we can do it with Him. Jackie closed with “Our God” and this song has been a favorite every time we go into Waseca. The message is about how great our God is and absolutely nothing can stand against us when He is for us. A few days after the ceremony we received a follow-up email. The CR program is officially under psychology, but the Religious Services Dept. will partner with them since the Chaplain was moved by some of the inmates testimonies on Sunday. Mitch wrote “Wow! What a powerful weekend! God is truly blessing FCI Waseca. Our Chaplain, Rev. Michael Longanecker, was so powerfully moved by the women's testimony at church yesterday regarding Saturday's celebration that he's 100% on board with CRI !!!!!” My life and the lives of those who get to go in with me are forever changed through these women and I thank God every single day for the great opportunity He has given me to give back just a portion of what I have been given.
|
