Prayer Chain

  One one most awesome experiences of the entire 3 1/2 day Kairos Weekend is when the Prayer Chain is brought into the room during the "You Are Not Alone" Talk. This talk lets the inmate residents know that even though they are behind bars, they have not been forgotten and that there are others on the outside who love them and are praying for them.

  The Prayer Chain is a visible presentaion of the many individuals on the outside that are commited to praying for the Inmate Residents and the Kairos Team (in 30 minute segments) throughout the 3 1/2 days of ministry.

  Some of the testimonies below speak of the impact the Prayer Chain had when it was brought in and taped all the way around the entire room.  Wow! What a powerful display of love which causes tremendous emotions each time we experience this.  

 Will you add your name and commit to (sometime) during the weekend of November 3-6, 2011 and pray for the Inmate Residents and the Kairos Team?

  Click the email link below and give me your name (first or last) and I will add it to a link in the chain that shows the Inmate Residents that you have not forgotten them and that you are praying for God's will to be done in their lives during the Weekend.  

Yes ~ Brother Freeman I'll pray. Please add my name: leroyfreeman@mtcm.com
    Click Link

Only eternity will tell the impact your prayers make.

"… I was in prison, and ye came unto Me." 
Matthew 25:36 

 

 ♦

KAIROS Prison Ministry Testimonies
Okeechobee Correctional Institution

Bringing Light (love of Jesus) into the darkness.
Matthew 25:36

 

All glory to God, the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit!

 On September 22-25, 2011 a group of 36 Kairos Volunteers entered the Okeechobee Correctional Institution, a maximum security state prison, to conduct a Kairos Weekend for 36 candidates. We were assisted by a team of inmates made up of past Kairos graduates. The Holy Spirit was evident right from the very beginning and continued a strong presence during the entire weekend.

 

Here are just a few testimonies that I was able to write as the
participating Inmate Residents shared during Open Mic on the Weekend:

 

●  I thank God for this Kairos. I have met friends. I never had friends like this in the world. I gave my life to Christ.

♦  I didn’t know we had family like this. Coming here showed me that I have a bigger family than I ever had. I’m talking about a good family~ a real family.

●  It gets dark in this place. It gets discouraging. I have experienced something that I have never experienced before.  It has never been like this. I never had a father figure. You all changed my life. I have been touched in a way that I have never been touched before.

♦  All I can say is that this is an amazing experience. I have never been so overwhelmed. If tomorrow (Sunday) is anything like the last 3 days, we are in for a treat.

●  This is so touching. It is not going to be over. It will not be over. Our family will continue on the compound.

♦  At the introductions, there were some that said they came for the food. You all did not look at them negatively for being real and honest. You still received us well. It made a difference and a positive impression.

●  Sure, I came for the food, but I found something more. I found spiritual food. It is more filling and lasts a lot longer.

♦  I don’t know what’s going on, but I am filled. I feel like a knot is being untied in my stomach. I can’t describe it. I am different. I don’t care anything about enemies past or present. They can’t affect me now.

●  I have never experienced anything like this. Guys, going off to the Club scene, it can be cold. This is different.  Something is happening. Christ is living in me. I found a feeling that I want to stay.

♦  I have been in this way for 30 years. Christians are an endangered species. My batteries are recharged. I am set to bring this back out there to the compound.

●  There is a lot of genuine laughter here and a lot of fun. This is unusual in this place (prison).

♦  I’m glad to be here. The only reason I came was for the food ~ period. On the first day, I decided to put my all into it. I started praising God. I put down all the walls, pseud, and smoke screens. I decided to pour out my heart to Christ. I’m feeling it too. I have the eternal fire. I hope when this Weekend is over to still shine just as bright.

●  I used to enjoy serving the Lord. I was hurting when I came. It’s great to have brothers to share the hurt. I like that. God can change a lifestyle.

♦  I came for the food. I didn’t see or know you could experience this kind of love. I have had a tough time with the number 48. It brought me anger. Now this is Kairos #48. Now when 48 pop into my mind I will remember this JOY.

●  I want to change some of the things that I have been doing – thugging, not letting anyone step on my feet, and thinking that I am unstoppable. I want to change and make sure I don’t come back to this place.

♦  I have been to a lot of institutions. I have seen Kairos Weekend come and go for many years. It is filling to my heart and mind to see brothers stand up and show what they really feel. Loving and showing how to love, these are the type of people we need to be around. It is tough to love around here. I don’t like Barbeque. I enjoyed being here and I have learned a lot.

●  This experience has blessed me personally. I am blessed to see all of you being blessed and enjoying yourself praising God. We don’t deserve all this good. I hate to see it end. Through God we can continue.

♦  For 10 years I have seen others go through this program of Kairos. I now see what they have been talking about. I have truly been blessed.

●  I had built up a lot of walls. Today, many of them have come down.

♦  I have found love. Now I have an everlasting memory of the love of Christ.

●  From many Christians, I have seen poor examples. When I leave, I want to be a good example of what a Christian truly is.

♦  Raised not having a father or brother, I didn’t come for the food. I came to Kairos for the experience. Now, I have brothers and fathers.

●  When I came I was down in the tomb. I have found forgiveness, love, and peace.  I have found a new way of life. I hope you all found change. I did.

♦  I was down, down, down. I don’t have a wife or kids. Kairos is my life now. I found love, peace, joy, and praise. I found God and Jesus ~ love and happiness.

●  I came confused, but I have found love, peace, and brotherly love. I now have an open heart, forgiveness, and understanding. I thank everybody.

♦  I am a believer, but I fell from grace by doing what I had preached against. I am at peace and am able to forgive myself for being here. I know God loves me. God has something good for us all. Keep pressing forward.

●  When I came here, I was lost. I have found a lot of love, deep feelings, and a new family. I love others and I love myself.

♦  When I came here I had a heavy heart. I wondered if it would ever let up. I was not doing anybody any good. I was looking for life. I see it here. My family has just gotten bigger. On the compound, when I see you down, I’m going to lift you up.

●  When I came here I was spiritually lost. With all the different studies around me, I didn’t know where I was at.  I found love from you all. I have a new family. I will be a witness.

♦  I stayed alone and distant from others. I found that I am not alone. I found myself and a new love for others. I am taking the love of God with me.

●  When I came here, I was burdened and confused. Through the examples of Christ-like compassion ~ I had read about it, but I had not seen it. I now have the knowledge that it does exist in this world.

♦  When I came here, I was all messed up and out-of-wack. I didn’t know what I needed, but I knew I needed something. I have released everything. I am taking this Weekend away with me and keeping it in my memory.

●  For 46 years I have never felt happiness. I now have love and joy. I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

♦  When I came here, I had many walls up. I find it hard to love everybody. I have learned a lot. I have been too many churches. I know shouting and dancing, but I have never experienced anything like this. These men that have come here have not used any theatrics.  I have seen lives changed. Something has changed in me.  Memories of the experience of this meeting will stay with me forever. I love you all. Let’s keep praying for each other.

●  Growing up, I was not religious. Even though I was dragged to church, I rebelled. This is what it is supposed to be. I see men crying and not just faking it. If Heaven is anything like this, I want to be in that number.
 

♦  I learned a lot about Choices – Not Being Alone – and Spirituality. Clyde’s testimony really touched me. I know the best love is God’s love. Let’s continue to spread it. I want all of you to know I love you. Keep your heads up.

●  As the women came in from the outside and sang to the inmate residents on Sunday afternoon, one brother said, “When I heard those women singing, I was sure I was hearing angels.”

**************************

  What a mighty God we serve. He keeps showing Himself strong and mighty to forgive, save, heal, comfort, encourage, and give hope. Thanks be to God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit for all that was accomplished on this Weekend. It was an awesome experience that we will never forget.             

 

June 9-12, 2011

●  I have been running (from God) for a long time. I have taken off my track shoes. It’s not about the food, now I want to get closer to God.

♦  For a long time I have been a walking dead man. Now, I open up to the Lord. Yes, the physical food is good, but the spiritual food is better.

●  When I came, I had no peace, and joy. For 21 months, I have waited to be a part of one of these weekends. Now, I know that I am not alone. I know that someone out there cares and that I have a supporting family.

♦  I saw that Kairos means God’s Special Time. I felt His power lifting me. Each talk was inspiring and uplifting. It has been one of the most positive experiences I’ve had. What we (residents) see here – we’ve got to go out there and keep doing it. 

●  When I came, I had all types of problems. I was hungering for love, peace, and joy. I feel energized.  I see that this is not just hype. This is real. I have never experienced anything like this.

♦  The food is good. But, I am not here for the food any more.

●  When I came, I was already a believer. My eyes have been opened more. Here, I have found love, joy, peace. I see a lot of things differently. I see that we are the church.  I am going to go and try to express it. If someone doesn’t want to listen, I will go to the next one. I am taking away a lot. I love all you brothers.

♦  I see love in all of you. It makes me want to burst out in tears.  Let’s bring this to our fellowship groups out on the yard. Let’s keep this up.

●  When I came, I was weak. I am full again. I can go a little further. I will take this with me.

♦  I thought I was complete all by myself. According to Acts 2, I already had the Spirit. Now I see, it’s not just about tongues, but about fellowship with other brothers. I have a family.

●  When I came I was drained, exhausted, and frustrated. Through the brotherhood that I have experienced, I see that I am not the only child God has. I love all of you.

♦  When I came, I was confused. I didn’t know how to worship with others. Here, I have experienced a love that I can’t put into words. I am taking this with me. This is real!

●  Here, I have found strength, encouragement, and inspiration. I don’t feel like I’m in an Institution.  This is like being with my natural family. I am taking all of you with me.

♦  Today was very special. It has been a long time since I touched and prayed for someone and had someone to touch and pray for me.

●  I am now a completely different person. I am happy with my new way of life. I now know that I have spiritual tools to help me do what I can’t do on my own. I thank God for my new family. This has been a great experience that I will never forget.

♦  When I came here, I was drained, tired, frustrated, and angered. Through this time with Christ and the agape love that has been shown, my spirit within has been rejuvenated.

●  When I came here, I was drained. Every message and speech helped. I found the Spirit and have been blessed.  I found the attitude of Christ in the Kairos Team. I now have a rejuvenated spirit to serve.

♦  I came here with a little love. Through this Kairos, I feel what it is like to be loved. I have had a spiritual growth of love. I am ready to take the Gospel and spread the Word.

●  I came here for both kinds of food – physical and spiritual. Nothing compares to the knowledge that Jesus is Lord. I had been suffering with terrible headaches. Since coming here, I have not had one headache. God wanted me to get all of this. Therefore, He allowed me to have full concentration.

♦  When I came, I was depleted, angry, felt betrayed by friends, and was lonely.  God has shown me the way back home and where I should be. He has allowed the dead to be resurrected.  I am not alone.

●  I had heard about Kairos, and all of the touchie- feelie-hugging that went on. They kept talking about it, so I decided to come and check it out. I had built up walls. Through this experience, I can now tear down the walls and begin to let people in.

♦  I found this not to be just about food. These people (who I did not even know) treated me how I have wanted to be treated all my life. Nobody could have thought that you could have found all this love in prison.

●  When we had the ceremony of people we want to forgive, even though it seems     I have been kicked to the curb, I don’t hear from my kids like I should, have problems with my ex-wife, mother-in-law, and others – I forgive them all. It has all been dissolved.  I feel good.

♦  I have never felt this type of love and Christian fellowship. This is what God has intended for His children and family. I have renewed faith and knowledge. I thank God for all the people that are praying for us.

●  I came with doubts and negativity. I signed up for this 2 ½ years ago. I have found real love, peace, joy, and happiness. I have more strength and more power. I am ready to start lifting up Jesus and being an example. I’ve got to be an example.

♦  I see now that you can have fun being a Christian. I want to go in the yard and tell it the more.

 

November 4-7, 2010

●  I appeared happy on the compound, but on the inside I was a total mess – a wreck and depressed. I was filled with pain. To know that people love me who don’t know me – the Agape love, posters, prayer chain, children placemats – I am not alone. I gave my life to Christ this Weekend. I am taking this new heart of love from here.

♦  When I arrived I was seeking something. I didn’t know what. I have found what I was seeking.

● This place (prison) breeds hatred – but love is here. These men have come from the outside to show us love. You all could have been anywhere else in the world, but you are here with us.

♦  I have been blessed. I was already saved, but my faith was up and down. I was struggling – the new man in the old man. I have been lifted. No more straddling the fence. There’s too many watching me to see how I respond.   I am a Christian – a son of God. We have a generation dying today due to guns and drugs. We must reach them.

●  When I arrived something was missing and I was trying to find it. I found that I am loved by many that I don’t know. I have found family outside and also a family in blue. Now there’s no animosity and feeling that everyone is out to beat me or play me.

♦   I had a great Weekend. I am different. I’ve found love, peace, hope, and freedom.

●  I have been trying to come to KAIROS for five years. What I heard was always good. I’m finally here – it’s better than they told me. I can’t explain it. It’s hard to find words.

♦  This experience has been great. I have felt the love of God. It’s real.

●  I signed up to see. The food is OK – it filled the belly. Now I know it’s not about the food. It’s about sharing God’s love.

♦  I came this Weekend – I gave my life to Christ. I have been changed.

●  This has been a great weekend. We all are family. The testimonies that I heard from outside Team Members made me want to cry. They were life changing testimonies. They have just warmed me up for my ministry.

♦  I thank the Father in Heaven. In this fellowship I see God’s love. This is what we need. This is what God commanded – that we love one another. Lot of family here – eternal life – drawing near to Him and He to us.

●  When I came – my family had turned their backs on me. I was looking for love. When my family didn’t show, God sent others. Looking around the room, I want to cry. I love you all.

♦  Right now – for the past two days, I feel closer to you all than my blood family that I grew up with. The posters, prayer chain, it all shows love.

●  I came to KAIROS to understand and experience it. Now I see it’s about bringing people together. It’s good to see all of the blues get together and love one another. I know it ain’t what many around us want.

♦  I”ve got so much hate in me – two or three dump trucks couldn’t carry it. There were guys in here, I don’t even know their names, I wanted to bust their brains out. I have been hugged more times in the past two days and felt more love than ever. Many are walking up to me and hugging me and have made me to see that I am loved.

●  You learn something everyday. Today I learned God is love. God’s love has been made apparent through the laughs – jokes – hugs. Inmates are not use to this. It feels good to show love, and not be so cautious thinking that everyone wants to take advantage of you.

♦  I wasn’t going to come here. I got problems. It’s easy to forget that people care. I’m glad I came.

●  It’s beautiful. I love this.  What a beautiful time. One of the best times in nine years.

♦  This has been a wonderful Weekend. I’m not taking this unforgiveness back with me.

●  When I came I was lukewarm. I did not have a strong personal relationship with Jesus. I can give hugs and not feel funny about it. It’s real. My little flame has gotten brighter.

   What a mighty God we serve. He keeps showing Himself strong and mighty to forgive, save, heal, comfort, encourage, and give hope.  Keep us in your prayers as we continue this ongoing prison ministry. God bless!!                                                                                Evangelist Leroy Freeman