What’s Been Going on Inside During COVID?
What’s God Doing About It?
Difficulties in life have a way of revealing what you may have forgotten was inside you, or what you may not have even realized was there. This can be positive or negative. Difficulty along with pain, often brings about change. The Holy Spirit works wonders in that space. It can also be the devil’s playground.
I’ve seen both during the pandemic. Even with that being said, the more memorable moments are what the Holy Spirit has done. Does the devil’s playground exist? Absolutely. But the only things worth remembering are the ways God’s hand has moved.
People on the inside have cared more for each other during the pandemic than I have ever seen before. Staff and residents have been more understanding of each other. That’s not to say that things have been perfect, because that simply isn’t true. More effort has been made by all sides though.
Volunteers have become persistent in not only carrying the stress of their own lives, but also pushing to continue to find new ways to still connect with us on the inside. Hope and strength have been given to us and spread throughout the prison through the video recordings that are played on our closed-circuit TV’s each week. We realize in here how much extra effort this has taken on the part of the volunteers.
I’ve watched countless people—residents, staff, volunteers, etc.—find either renewed purpose or a brand-new purpose is a different direction.
Yes, it is very hard in here, and each week more and more staff resign and leave. It hurts because it makes it even harder in here. But there have been several residents who stepped up to become leaders because they found that desire within themselves.
As I said, many, many staff have decided to go a different path. But others have stayed the course. We are grateful.
I see the hand of God in all of it. I’ve even experienced His voice of guidance during the pandemic. He continues to move mountains, bring healing, and give direction.
“God is still with us, even as people find new directions”
Sarah B.
