This blog has been linked up to Velvet Ashes because it goes along with their theme of Keeping Watch! "Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart." Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!   I keep saying these things because I still can’t quite wrap my head around feeling Christmasy in 80+ degree weather. Thankfully, the winter breezes have returned and we can happily switch off all AC units for the next few months. Maybe this will be our new marker for “Christmas” each year? There is not a crispness to the air, only a few lights and wreaths decorate the island, and there is definitely a 0% chance of snow. All my boots are still safely packed up in Tennessee. We are creating some new markers though; decorating the house and the tree, Christmas mov

    As I sit at the table in the room just above the females’ cells, I listen as women share their stories, worries, and fears. I’m overwhelmed by gratitude that this time things are already different.      Last summer, when CRI started inside Her Majesty’s Prison here in St Kitts, I was a nervous wreck. I had never been inside a prison. I didn’t know what to expect. I wondered how the ladies would react and I knew I had a massive amount of work to do in order to understand them. I wanted them to know that this wasn’t just a “church” class. I needed them to know that I didn’t have all the answers, but I knew the One who did. As we started working through the CR 12 Steps, I was met with mostly crossed arms and silence. It took months of prayers and time to start to see their walls break down.    Ten months later, as we reached the last step, we were laughing, crying, and sharing every single week. This month we just launched into our second round of 12 steps. I am blown away at how