Going to Prison....

Yes you read that right "going to prison." What an adventure my Christmas break started out to be quite an adventure. I have to back up to the night before though....how tired I was. My class had spent the afternoon decorating Christmas cookies, had to get my room ready for a party, go to wal-mart twice, do laundry, clean the kitchen, my bathroom, and my bedroom, and lasts but not  least pack! My goal was to get to bed at 11:00 so I wouldn't be too tired to drive to SC the next day. I called mom Davis and she told me they were going caroling and that I was welcome to go with them! I love singing, I love caroling, I love Christmas! My brain had registered that they were going to a hospital--but I was thinking an elderly rest home or even a children's hospital. When we got into the van to go caroling they said okay here we go to prison! I was like "WHAT?! did you say prison?!" The Davis were "yeah we are going to the prison hospital." I could not believe what I was about to do....I Rebecca Joy Page, one who was always up for an adventure, bashful around new groups, and who will try new things was going to a prison hospital. When we arrived my eyes were wide eyed at the barbed wire, the fence, and the "high-security." We met the Rock of Ages Prison ministry men there and the "leader" took our I.D's while we waited in this small fenced in area to get visitor tags. Then we proceeded into a metal dectector (which it went off on me because of my jewlery), and then droped off keys at the key holder place. We went through doors that had to be opened by a code and crowded into a small chapel where we talked about what we were doing and signed a form for liability sake. We then went to certain floors in the hospital and sang to people. I have to admit I had in my mind the fear of one of the prisoners taking my hostage, or grabbing me, or hurting me....I was also the youngest one in the group that was there. As we sang I did my best to look up off the words of my music and into the eyes of those men that were there. Some of them were excited about us being there and about hearing God's Word. One man was excited about a Bible I figure he had just received. Some of those men and woman looked lost. As I reflect back on that evening I was thankful my fear melted away and that I was able to be a blessing to others. I even think....I wish my church in Florida would do this what a blessing it is! Yes I admit I was afraid the entire time, but I felt God's guiding hand and Love helping me to serve. Next time (which I hope there will be a next time), I hope I can be more of a blessing to those I visit. =)

P.S. Yes, I eventually looked up from my music and looked and the people ;)

Merry Christmas!