Kairos - Buckingham

Resident Witnesses - Kairos, Buckingham # 38
April 28 - May 1, 2011

Another Kairos Weekend at Buckingham Correctional Center in Dillwyn Virginia has come to a close and the “fourth day” (the rest of one’s life) has begun for 36 residents.

Saturday evening each man is given two bags of cookies to take back to his “pod.” One bag, he is told, is to be given to another man from whom he seeks forgiveness or to another man he wishes to forgive. Sunday morning the men are asked to share what happened when they gave their cookies away.

Here are few stories . . . (Names Changes)
John said, “My cellie had been to Kairos and knew about the forgiveness cookies. He didn’t know I planned to give him my forgiveness cookies. He said he didn’t want them because they weren’t chocolate chip cookies. I don’t know why I got hung with a hillbilly for a cell mate...but we now respect each other more.”

Able said, “I was curious how I would give away my cookies. I decided to give my cookies to several men of different faiths...spread the goodies to many brothers.”

Josh said, “I don’t have a problem with anybody and thought about eating all the cookies myself.  When I got back to my pod, I found several hungry men and I gave my cookies to them.”

Ted said, “I gave my cookies to a former friend. We got mad at each other over something and for about a month we were not talking. I went to his cell and asked for his forgiveness. At first he said he didn’t want my cookies. I told him I was giving him my cookies from my heart. He took them...praise God...we are now friends again.”

Harry said, “God has a sense of humor...I know...I just have to look in a mirror. When I read the little piece of paper that was included with my cookies, I knew what I had to do. This fellow in my pod is abrasive. Earlier he had asked for a bible verse which I gave to him. He came back later with a pamphlet which purported to prove Jesus was not God and asked what I thought about what was written. I explained to him that men of faith have trusted the bible for 1000's of years and I was not going to put my trust in a pamphlet. He told me I was full of ‘crap.’ When I saw him, I told him that God put on my heart to give him the cookies. I knew I had to do this...so...”

Harry went on to say, “A fellow kitchen worker finds fault in everything. I gave him my forgiveness cookies. He told me what a great kitchen worker I was and said he was looking forward to my return to the kitchen after the Kairos weekend. Go figure....”

James said. “Kairos is a blessing. I tried to share some of my cookies with a fellow who said he didn’t want them. After an exchange of ‘words’ we sat and talked. Cookies are a good bridge to change...”

Paul said. “ I shared cookies with different men. Truth is I didn’t want anymore cookies...I got sick and wanted to give them away as soon as possible. I learned that giving is a gift...need to keep on giving.”

Each resident is invited to come to the “mike” and answer three questions . . .
What was my spiritual condition coming to Kairos?
- I was in limbo and had a closed heart...not really trying to grow in faith or as a person.
- I was wary because I have experienced so many judgmental people here and on the outside.
- I was broken; felt I had hit a wall and I was not sure what to do next.
- I wanted a way out of the negativity I find here.
- I felt abandoned by everyone, including God and religion

What did I find at Kairos?
- I was surprised to find knowledge of self was linked to knowing God.
- I found the first forgiveness of my life. I didn’t know what forgiveness was.
- I was accepted by nonjudgmental people.
- Genuine brotherhood. I found people who accepted responsibility and were at peace despite their own troubles and sins... which they shared.
- I found Agape love....unconditional love. I found that the church is bigger than I thought. People who I didn’t even know cared. I found real people not just plastic people.
- I found new people, likable people, people who joked and spoke with dignity and acceptance of one another.

What will I take with me?
- I am taking away a new understanding of Christianity, love, forgiveness, and a comparison as a way of life.
- I found that we’re not alone and don’t have to be alone...I now have Kairos.
- Real religion is something I really want. Doing good is like being God to someone else.
- A sense that church and family are very much alike. I can have a family and get strong so I can rebuild my outside family.
- It is important to spread knowledge of God in how we communicate.
- We may be closer to God than we thought....or God is closer to us.

Many men shared their feeling about the weekend during “open mike.” (Names Changed)

Phil said, “I was skeptical and wasn’t going to come. I’m glad I did.”

Sam said, “Thank God for second chances. I felt the spirit moving in my body...it was a wonderful feeling. What a wonderful chance to rehabilitate myself.”

Matt said, “I came for the wrong reason and received many blessings and I thank God I came.”

Big “Joe” said, “I have been here five years and never thought about going to Kairos. A friend told me that God was knocking on my door... so I came.”

Sean said, “I learn how to forgive. Forgiving is not as hard as I thought it was.”

Brad said, “I am a ABCD...facts and figures...guy. Now I learned that there is much more to it.”

Art said, “God’s love was in this room all weekend.”

Jack said, “I thought I was in good shape when I came to Kairos but things were going on in my head. I learned I had a lot of people to forgive and I came clean.

Tim said, “I came to Kairos for the cookies and I’m taking away six more pounds and a case of diabetes. Seriously, I had a wonderful experience.”

Bart said, “I had no expectations when I came to Kairos. I was surprised and pleased with the outcome. I thank all of the inmates for being real and I will take back “being real” to my new life. What really touched my heart were the place mats - to see little kids hand prints on a place mat and realize that they took the time to care to do this for me.”

Thank you for your prayers!