Free and clean

The man staying with us was excited, nervous and anxious about the next day and what the future may hold for his brother, who had served a 20-year sentence.

To put that in perspective, we’re talking about nearly my entire lifetime. I am only 21.

Can you imagine what release would feel like to the incarcerated man? Serving 20 years in prison, and then walking out the front door, getting into a car and not having handcuffs on. Think about how much has changed in 20 years—cars, cell phones, Internet, different options for cable, DVD players and remotes that will turn off your lights. Don't you think he will be in for a wild ride the next couple of weeks adjusting to modern times?

We always invite the families who stay with us to bring the man back to the Hospitality House to take a shower. This kind of symbolizes washing the prison off of you before you leave the town. When you walk out of our doors, you are a new man—free and clean. You have a brand new start. It is always really fun to be a part of this.

When the two men got to the house after release, the newly free man was in tears. He could not contain himself. He was so excited. He found the Lord in prison. So, he kept repeating over and over again: "Thank you Lord, You are so good to me." It was incredible! The brothers were so excited to be back together, and so excited that they both are following the Lord.

Before they left, my supervisor's husband asked me to take a picture of the both of them together. They were excited to do that—brothers back together for the first time in 20 years.

Pray for this newly free man. Pray that he does not go back to the way he was before. Pray that he continues in his walk with Christ. Only Christ can keep him satisfied, clean and free.

Nina Monk, a student at Stephen F. Austin State University, is serving with Go Now Missions at the Hospitality House in Huntsville.