I spent the best part of today at the jail. I should have known it wouldn't be a routine visit from the outset as things were a little crazy from the start. The last few months I've pretty much entered and exited the building unaccompanied excluding the person who monitors the cameras and unlocks the doors electronically as I pass through. But today was different. A female deputy entered with me and a guard gave instructions to the security monitor who didn't get it and left me stranded in a vacant hall with nothing but locked doors surrounding me. After it became apparent that "whoever" didn't have a clue I was there I hit the intercom button and he/she got me through the next two doors into cell block 45.

Forty five is a nice group of ladies, sweet, low key and amiable. All of the female trustees have come from 45. The usual crowd got up for a Bible lesson and the usual crowd slept through it. I can always teach more and teach deeper truth with this group and they're always a blessing. When we finished I notified the monitor via the intercom that church was concluded in 45 and that I please be allowed to enter 47 next. We heard the door unlock across the hall, but after a few minutes it became apparent the monitor didn't think to let me out of 45. The resident trustee informed him/her of the mistake and I exited and was across the hall momentarily.

Forty seven is the "trustee" cell, though no trustees reside there. It is a much larger cell with four sets of bunks, a larger table and much more space. The usual group of girls was there too - women I've come to know and love over a number of months. They always ask about Becky. They really took to her when she visited with me at Christmas. There were a couple of new faces, most notably a dark haired girl on a cot to the side. She was polite, but wasted no time telling me she was Muslim and asked for a Koran. Bible study was disrupted before we even began with lunch trays - it was funny seeing everyone scurry to put on their blues, a new rule that you have to be fully dressed to receive food. (I like this rule - it prevents the male inmates from seeing them skimpy when the food is served!) In the process the new girl and I got to speak - she complained about being served pork hot dogs and quoted something from the Koran. In typical lion chaser fashion I wasted no time telling her Jesus's take on the topic, that it's not what you put in the man that defiles him, but what comes out from the heart. The lesson was good from there, but she and I did go back and forth a couple of times on that vein. If she was confrontational I never picked up on it and just discussed what the scriptures said. At the end of the lesson I got hugs from everyone except her - she just wanted to shake hands and I told her that I was really happy to get to meet her and that was it. She did ask about a Koran and a prayer mat, things that I didn't have access to and wouldn't provide anyway and I caught some of the other girls giving verbal put downs, "just cool it", "let it alone," behind my back as we hugged and said goodbye. And I left. The monitor got the doors right this time.

Forty six was next. All the women there were engrossed in an ethnic soap opera and only one wanted church. We were in the process of getting permission to study in the hall when things shifted and they turned the tv off and gathered around the door - a fight had started across the hall in 47 and these gals were enjoying the show. 'Dear Lord, NO!" was all I could get out of my heart." He heard me and I immediately called for prayer amid all the racket and ruckus where the guards were now scurrying to break things up. We prayed for peace and that God would contain the bad spirit that stirred up the trouble. Then ALL the girls settled down and were now eager to hear the Bible lesson. We'd barely got started when the cell door opened, a guard and a deputy escorted the muslim girl in, apologizing the whole time. She came in quietly, went to the back where she spread her mattress and remained very quiet through the rest of the lesson.

So that was how my day went. It was quite bizarre compared to normal days. Later when I recounted the events to my family Norman spoke at last and said, "You know what happened over there don't you?" No, not really . . . He continued "They weren't going to put up with her ragging on their preacher lady! They were putting the whoop on her to stand up for you!"

Is that what happened? I don't know. I hope not, but I do know this, I love those girls and they know it. And I know they love me too. People often ask me if I feel uneasy or threatened in jail and I've honestly had to conclude that I feel very safe in there. I don't know how it is during the week, but I know when I go that love is in the house. Were they standing up for me? I don't know. But Irene is going next week, and she's under orders to ASK! I'll post more when I know more.