Date: April 16 - 19
Place: Mabel Bassett Correctional Center
Closing applications are due by February 19, 2009 and should be sent to:
Rene’e Neighbors
1321 NW 19th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
reneeneighbors@sbcglobal.net
Fax 405-525-3120
Leader: Yvonne Smith EMail: ladygrace@vox.net Phone: 405-794-4943 (home) or 405-850-6164 Snail Mail: P. O. Box 7889, Moore, OK 73153-1889
Reflections:
REFLECTIONS
MBCC #28
Excitement, fellowship, never ending praise of God.
Rhonda Table of Sarah
The love and kindness I received from everyone. Christian fellowship. The presence of God. The care and compassion everyone had for each other. The testimonies that were shared and their trails meant a lot. The spiritual growth I received, I will always have. An awesome spiritual journey that will always be remembered. Thank you, and most of all give thanks to our Lord and Savior who makes all things possible.
Your Sister in Christ, Love
Kimmie M.
I felt a great sense of peace, unconditional love, spiritual growth and an awesome fellowship with my new “Sisters in Christ”. Kairos was definitely an amazing experience!
Ashley N.
It was something I’ve never felt and a journey. I’m glad God allowed me to experience. Paradise, a walk with Jesus. Sisters that have Jesus and love for you unconditionally and warmth, praises, prayers. People all over the world that are praying for you, that don’t even know you. Some of the people you see every day have love, kindness that you didn’t observe from them. Jesus is needed in your lie everyday and all through the day He is your Lord and Savior and He is love and has loved us, from the beginning and will forgive us if we go to Him and confess our sins. Jesus doesn’t leave us we leave Him and knock and He will open the door.
Bobbie P.
Being in a place where I feel the presence of the Lord so strong is truly a blessing to be a part of. I’m very thankful and give God all the glory for this experience and everything else He blesses me with. The love I felt I know is just a small piece of the love the Lord has to offer.
Chantelle R
To Whom It May Concern:
Kairos is God’s time – special time. This phrase two years ago would not have meant anything to me. I was blessed to attend #28, it is and always will be a life changing journey. It has allowed me to see that not just God loves me but others do also. I received confirmation, validation, celebration. I am 45 years old and have had voids all of my life, this has filled all of my longings for the feeling to be needed and feel as I though I have a place in life. Cathy Rangel, she was a wonderful confirmation, blessing and light. She walks so willing for God that just her presence alone was enough. Thank you all for guidance. Ms. Rita you gave me something I will live with and grow with forever. Thank you. Ms. Sue, your humor is wonderful. Thank you to all of you that cared enough to labor. Thank you for being servers, for this you will be called blessed. God bless you all.
Toc’Quianna C.
I learned to be joyful even in the midst of chaos. To be thankful even for the moment. To share the love of Jesus in many different ways. To step out of the boat into the rippled waters of difference. To except service from others where I’m use to being the servant. I learned a variety of songs. I learned that every step I take is a choice I make and every choice I make includes others, whether good or bad. I learned about other people and their concerns, many stories are the same as mine. We could just exchange names. I learned how to eat in moderation even the good things I’ll never see again for awhile. I learned that my future is God’s past and every prayer I say is sifted through the hands of Jesus first which makes them perfect in every way, this give me the boldness to step to the throne with anything that concerns me. Kairos changed my prayer life!
DeEtta M.
Hi, my name is Yvonne F. (Kairos #28) Table of Elizabeth. My four-day weekend at Kairos was very inspirational, encouraging to talk more and learn more about God’s word. Well before walking into Kairos, I didn’t know what to expect. For a whole year God was closed out of my life. I stopped reading my bible, I never wanted to talk about Him. I stopped going to church. In my childhood life, and adult life, I grew up in church so I knew who God was. Coming to Kairos I opened the door for God to come in with agape love. I am glad that I got a chance to come. The blessings I’ve received are so amazing and knowing that God never left me. I thank God for loving me.
I thought the weekend was out of this world. I would live here forever and never leave God or my sisters’ side. I will live for Jesus forever and I just can’t put into words why God sent me to that joyous place where I am a part of Him and I can look back on what I went through with all these wonderful ladies and the Almighty Himself. God bless!
Colleen B.
Hello, I have always heard about Kairos and what a life-changing experience that it was. Well, it far surpassed that which I heard. My experience with Kairos was by far the best, most loved time ever in my life. There was so much love (God’s Agape Love) shown through the volunteers and everyone there. It was such a high that was hard to come down off of. I will remember it always.
It was hard for me not to thank everyone because to me if you were raised right, you are to always thank people who do things for you.
It truly was a life-changing experience. Changed my life forever. The presence of the Lord is always with me but that weekend, was off the chain.
It truly is God’s Special Time. Made my whole prison experience worth being locked up.
Love and thanks,
Tommie L.
I got a lot out of Kairos last weekend it was a wonderful experience. Just knowing that you all come here to prison and spent the weekend with inmates. You showed us not to judge someone, just let them know you care. That could change the person’s life and actions. Honestly that Tuesday before Kairos I got a letter from my mother-in-law, she told me all about both my girls. That was an answered prayer from God. Thank you all for keeping me in your prayers. Hopefully one day soon I’ll be able to write my girls and receive pictures. Thanks for such an eye-opening weekend.
Lanie M.
Kairos #28
What I got out of the weekend of Kairos, well it was a great experience for me. God is good. I feel so much joy and peace still. I will have to come back and be an angel. I met a lot of good people. Now I have a lot of sisters I can go and talk with when I need someone. I want to thank all of the wonderful volunteers that helped with Kairos. God loves us all. Once again thanks a lot, I love you all.
Teri D.
Kairos #28
Kairos gave me such a cleansing, word to express could only be: peace of mind, forgiveness, loved, recognized, trusted, adopted, found, heard, nurtured, delivered, new, understood, changed.
Thank you God for Kairos and the obedient women and men of your Kingdom!!
I love you,
Lauri H
Table of Ruth
Kairos #28
I felt God’s unconditional love the whole weekend of Kairos! Also, leaving from Kairos, I left with hope, and a lot of peace within myself. It also reminded me of how awesome God is. I will carry this experience with me for the rest of my life. I have been on a “spiritual high” ever since I got to experience Kairos. Thank you Father God!!
Crystal H.
Table of Ruth
Kairos #28
I felt so very special and loved. The attention and the presence of God was unbelievable. I will never forget this weekend for as long as I live. The prayer chain, the letters we got. It was all so very awesome. The food and the cookies were all so wonderful. I felt like a queen for 4 days. I now know that being around other Christians is definitely what I want to do. I didn’t ever realize I could have that much fun being sober. This Kairos experience made me look at life in a whole new perspective. I feel like now I really have a purpose in life.
Andrea P.
Kairos #28
I really enjoyed the Kairos weekend, it was the most wonderful time of my life. I can say I really do feel closer to God. I was sad that it had to come to an end. You all really made me feel like I was special and that was one thing I had not felt since being locked up. I just wanted to say thank you for letting me know that there are people who really do care about us. I can’t say thank you enough. It is people like you all and God that keeps me going. But it was really special to me and that I will not forget for the rest of my life. I am totally blessed thank you God for putting Kairos into my life. I will always remember this and share it with my family.
Elizabeth P.
Table of Joanna
I felt love! Kairos was a good experience to me especially when they put the prayer chain around us. I felt the Holy Spirit right then. This experience changed me in a certain way and made me look at things totally different. Even my attitude has changed a little bit. I just thank God that He chose me to experience this moment because He knows I needed it. Thanks God for real!
Nicolette N.
When I showed up and Kairos I felt lost in my walk with Jesus. After listening and talking for the three days, Fri., Sat., Sun., I felt reassured that Jesus was still there for me and He grabbed a hold of me and let me know He still loved me and I got a lot of reassurance out of all the speeches that Jesus never turns His back. He is always there. I’m very grateful for the opportunity I was given to find Jesus again.
Stacie W.
I felt such a warm loving feeling. It was like God’s arms were wrapped around me. I am so happy and feel like I am walking in clouds, I don’t feel any hatred, any mean stuff inside me. I feel love, joy, happiness. The time here is so short, I want that weekend all over again. I just wish this whole compound could feel the love I received and am still receiving. I never took drugs, this is the best high I ever had and I feel so good. I want to thank God for coming into my life. I feel so loved by God.
Yvonne, H.
I had a very, very spiritual awakening because I was “stuck” in my faith. It (the weekend) got me going again in my faith. I know where I am going now and it has been a great blessing. I didn’t know how to get “unstuck” and I didn’t want to go backwards so I just stayed where I was and wasn’t happy with it. Now that I am on the move again everyday is a joy and knowing I won’t be left was a good feeling. The forgiveness deal was a great thing as well, as soon as I let the paper go and went back to my chair I felt lighter and happier. I was blessed to have been chosen. Thank you so much.
Your Unstuck Sister in Christ,
Valerie P.
When I came to Kairos I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. Each day I felt a wonderful feeling from God after listening to each speaker. I felt so much love from the Lord and each woman who was at Kairos. I feel the Lord’s love and presence more now than ever before. I also felt the weight lifted up off my shoulders when I forgave those who hurt me. I feel more at peace with myself.
Josette S.
I learned that I’m wonderful, worthy and loved by the family of God. I also learned that God put me on the hearts of many, many people around the world who care about me because God loves me through the good and bad times in my life. And for that love I tasted at Kairos. God has opened doors for me that I could not open myself and showed me He is an on-time God, and he has a plan for me Jer 29:11-13 with New Kairos People in it.
Ida K.
My life really changed from a hard and scared heart to a bawl bag and cheerful peace of mind. It made me look at different avenues in life, things I never felt before. It helped me seek the Lord who is now my new best friend! I was so thankful because I felt love and it helped me pick up the rug where I stuff guilt, pain and unforgiveness. It helped me with new friends, but really it helped me find myself and who I needed to be.
Katie G.
God is always with us even in our darkest hour and sometimes when we feel like He has abandoned us, He will send someone along to heal our broken heart. To see God during the hard times isn’t always easy but it can be found. Kairos let me know there is still love in other people even though we are trapped in a world of hurt.
Stephanie D.
My life was radically changed for the better on Sunday, April 20, 2009. My time in Kairos #28 was the BIGGEST blessing ever! I received a wonderful meal, beautiful artwork, heart-felt letters and true fellowship with sisters in Christ. God’s Holy Spirit ministered peace and comfort to each member in the family of Anna. We will always lift each other up in prayer!
With grins and smiles,
Vicki C.
When I saw the prayer chain I never felt so much love before in my life. It was so powerful that people we didn’t even know where so committed to pray for us in the middle of the night. I honestly thought I knew God’s love for me. I really didn’t have a clue to the depth of His love. I feel like I really truly experienced a taste of heaven in this fallen world. I know I can go on and handle whatever I have to do to make it through the rest of my time in this place called prison. God is an on-time God and I want to surely be wherever He is.
Teri A.
Dear Kairos Team: Hi my name is Amber. I want to thank you for allowing me to have a joyful weekend. First of all I want to say this is what I got out of the weekend. I felt like I was not in prison, I was high on Jesus. He showed me how much I’m worthy to Him. I enjoyed the talks and the posters. It is amazing that someone who doesn’t even know us would wake up all hours of the night and pray for us. The emotions I went through were like no other I had felt in a long time. The food tasted so good, it has been a long time like 2 years since I had tasted good food. I love you all very much and thank you for everything you have done.
Love and God Bless You,
Amber W.
Wow! It was an extraordinarily, pleasant experience to be a participant. All the love I was surrounded by. The friends I came across who really, truly cared about me and others. What I learned from the ladies who came what they went through and endured in their lives and how they came out on top with the help of God was truly a blessing to hear. Some of the women’s stories were somewhat like my story in my life. I admire how the women still have smiles on their faces, still right to this day can show their love towards strangers and talk with their heads held high about their lives. I loved it all.
Lashonda L.
The Kairos experience for me was one that I needed. I came in hurting and full of anger and unforgiveness. I had kind of turned to God and wanting to do right, but Kairos showed me love and reminded me that I really needed to forgive people. I remember sitting there and waiting…people kept talking about how they left Kairos changed and talked of this emotional experience so I was waiting for that. I was also waiting for this “spiritual high”. The first thing that brought tears to my eyes was the prayer chain. It showed me that people do care. That I am deserving of love. When we entered the forgiveness day, I wasn’t sure I wanted to really forgive everyone, but as I was thinking of the names of people I needed to forgive, I felt myself really wanting to forgive them. I was ready to move on with my life. I felt so much love this weekend that I never knew existed. There was love in everything that was done from the singing to the cookies to the speeches and letters of Agape. People genuinely care about others and that just amazes me. Also, I never felt the “spiritual high” people had spoken of, but one speaker said that was okay, that not everyone feels that, so I felt finally that I wasn’t alone and that I still have it to look forward to one day.
Lindsey L.
I am glad I was able to attend Kairos #28, it blessed my life. I had given up on God because of a tragic event that took the life of my 16-year old daughter in a car crash. The weekend of Kairos and the love I felt from God’s people changed my heart. I have never felt love like that from strangers. I asked God to come back into my life after hearing the testimonies of the team members I realized I was not alone and that God was not singling me out. This experience has touched me in a way that there is no denying the power of prayer and Christian love. The team members were awesome and showed me true Christian love. I have found Jesus again and a new found family. Jesus Rocks!
Kerry E.
I was very blessed to come and share the presence of God. When I first got here in July 2008, I applied for Kairos and got chosen, then I moved on the other side and got picked this time, so I know that God was blessing me. I know God was trying to let me know that I am special. God was calling me, and I answered that call. I know that God is working things out on my behalf. I am doing what is right and God is smiling at me. Thanks for Kairos 28. I know God is a good God, and He won’t let you down. Just call on Him, and He will surely answer. Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes, Yes, Yes Lord!
Gloria R.
This past Kairos weekend was truly a life-changing experience for me. I felt so much love from all the women. I was able to relate to their stories and lives. I’ve never felt comfortable with any kind of church setting and this is the first time I’ve been able to sing and praise and feel the Holy Spirit. Throughout the following week I had begun making changes in my life. Just little things, like thinking of others instead of myself and not being selfish. I was able to forgive myself and others which is something I had not been able to do in over 13 years. I was able to take negative family situations and be a little more understanding and encourage my loved one that I will always be there and love them no matter what happens, regardless. I was able to smile more and think about all the blessings I have and reflect on all that I have. I’ve had a lot more discussions with God and I know that no matter what life brings me, He will be there with me. I was able to meet and learn about people I wouldn’t normally meet. I feel truly blessed and thankful to have had this experience. I’ve never felt such love and peace.
Deborah S.
What I learned about Kairos is I learned how to forgive others and I learned more about Christ. It is a good feeling to know that somebody else is thinking about us and praying for us. It is something I will never forget in my life and I also learned that I am loved by God.
Tonia
Dear Kairos Prison Ministry:
My name is Spring. I want to tell you about what this past weekend has meant to me and how I plan to continue on this wonderful journey with our Savior Christ Jesus. First of all I was lost and I was looking to find a way out of this pit I found myself in. Then a friend gave me a paper to fill out for Kairos weekend and I filled it out. The Lord wanted me to be a participant because I got picked. It is funny how He knows what you need and when you need it. When I got here the first day it felt a little strange to see all these happy faces when you’re used to seeing fights all the time. But my friends kept telling me to wait because the best was yet to come. Then I heard all the speakers and it was amazing to hear how everyone’s story was just like mine in some way. Then we received the agape love letters and that let me know that God is always working His love through others. The thing that stuck out the most to me from the weekend was that He is always carrying me through these rough times in my life. And I can always talk to Him whenever and wherever. The door is always open!
Your Sister in Christ,
Spring O.