One Day with God
When I first heard about the One Day with God program, (a day camp that enriches the reunion of incarcerated fathers and their children), I immediately knew I wanted to be involved. Having worked at our (San Antonio, TX) city-wide homeless shelter, I’ve ministered to many men and women who had previously been incarcerated and listened to their stories of loss and brokenness with their children. I felt called to cross the threshold of the prison walls to be part of the healing process from within.
Of course the first time to minister in a new environment causes a little anxiety of the unknown. A few days prior to the event, I attended a training, and there I met some wonderful, spirit-filled people who regularly help with these day camps. I was brought to tears as I listened to the history of how the founder began this ministry because of her own broken past with a father in prison. I was in awe.
Sr. Louise Miksch and I paired up to chaperone a child as she spent her day with her dad. We watched as each child arrived at a local church, ranging in age from 3 years old to 17 years old, and were met with enthusiasm by some 60+ volunteers, and were provided snacks, and a face-painting opportunity to proudly show off their “I love Dad” patches on their cheeks. Our child didn’t show up and we were afraid family circumstances kept them away. We were a bit disappointed to say the least. Finally, our child arrived, full of personality and ready to go visit Dad. We met and she carried on conversations with us like an adult! She was funny, full of life, and a bit anxious as well. As we got in the car, she acted as if we were her chauffeurs! Such a delight!
On arrival to the prison, the process to go through security was a bit overwhelming, but as we slowly made our way through, the energy in the prison gym was electric. Music played as the names of each family were called, and they raced to embrace in the middle of the gym floor. They divided up to play ice-breaker games to lighten the atmosphere, and you could feel the walls of anxiety starting to fade. The families enjoyed a puppet show with a message of accepting the love and mercy of God. The kids had a chance to create a take-home project with their dads that they could keep as a reminder of their sacred time together, and the fathers made their children a picture frame the day before with a written message of their undying love for them.
Since the fathers may not be able to celebrate some special milestones with their children, the afternoon was filled with a birthday party, complete with pizza and cake. The daughters were able to have a father/daughter dance that they may be miss at their quinceañera or wedding. The sons had a special walk around the gym floor with their fathers as they listened to wisdom and inspiration from the fathers, trying to condense 18 years of lessons into 5 special minutes.
These fathers are still parents inside the prison walls. This day offers families a treasured slice of time to see, and to touch their fathers, to sit on their laps and give them a hug and kiss as a moment to hold close to their heart as the children face the struggles of growing up without their fathers at home to guide and protect them. It was a day of prayer, laughter, and tears, and I was privileged enough to witness the healing and forgiveness necessary for each person to continue to grow and wait in hopeful anticipation of a reunion outside the prison walls one day. This one experience has transformed my outlook on families who have a parent in prison. These men in the program had to work hard and earn this privilege, and you could tell they did not take this opportunity lightly. I am looking forward to future volunteer opportunities with this life-changing ministry.