Kim,

What a great story, and how awesome how God used that woman in such a simple way to accomplish so much! There is a favor I was going to ask of you later, but reading this I think now is the time. Will you please write a 1 page letter that I can carry to a group of 30 young women (ages 16-20) in need of a word of hope.

I can't explain why, but I just feel that you have a perspective that they could learn from. The 30 young women are incarcerated juveniles, students at the Giddings State School. I am one from a team of about 60 adults who will go in mid October and spend 3 very full days telling them how much God loves them. The ministry is called Epiphany ministries. It's a weekend filled with music, laughter, good food, recreation and talks that communicate the message of love and hope. We also go back once a month to spend time following up with the students who have attended an Epiphany weekend.

We've already done 3 such weekends at Giddings State School but those were for young men who make up the majority population of the school. I think there are only about 60 females at the unit, and for the first time about 30 of them will get to come to an Epiphany weekend. One of the ways we help them see God's love is through gifts of "agape". On Friday we bring out a prayer chain made up of construction paper links, each link represents someone on the outside who has committed to pray for them at least 30 minutes during the weekend. The chain is so long it could wrap around the very large conference room several times. The students are shocked at the thought that there is anybody who cares about them at all. To see it conveyed by literally thousands of chain links is overwhelming. We also hang posters and letters on the walls for them to read, all for the same reason; to give them hope, to let them know that God loves them and that there are people who care.

If you feel inclined to write them a letter of encouragement I would consider it a special honor to read them your letter when these gifts of agape are presented to them. When that woman made her jewelry that morning she had no idea how much it would mean and what a difference it would make. If you will take a few minutes and write this letter we cannot imagine what a difference it may make.

You aren't under any pressure to do this if you don't feel up to it. If it doesn't resonate in your heart then please don't feel at all badly about saying no. That is perfectly ok. Me feeling led to ask does not in any way obligate you to say yes. But if you do choose to write them a letter, I would be honored to read it to them.

Michael

Michael-
I would love to help you with this! Please email me at kbennett24@gmail.com so I have your email address and I will email you my letter.
Kim

I've loved your thoughts on "little things". I think you'll be glad one day that you have a big butt. Old ladies begin to lose that nice round butt and they don't fill out their blue jeans. You'll have a little bit extra to work with. Stay strong. I'm so proud of you!
Grandmother