Following Up

Prison was good today. This is the second month that one of the guards has brought me iced tea during lunch. I see the women get the same lunch every Sunday, and it's nothing this health nut would choose, but the tea . . . is GOOD. And appreciated.

The muslum lady was still in the cell where they brought her last month after the fight. She stayed on her bunk for Bible study, but she did participate, reading along in a piece of a Bible she had inherited from another inmate and answering questions. It was a nice change.

There's not much that surprises me inside anymore, so when we finished and the guards let everyone out for a smoke break she met me at the door of her cell and gave me a hug. It was very obvious she'd softened up quite a bit since last time we met. Knowing she was Turkish I asked how many languages she spoke. The answer came tumbling out - it was like recognizing she had something different, something special opened a door of communication. She spoke five languages including her native tongue and English. Turns out she was a linguistics major at a prestigious university.

"How . . . . ?" I hardly ever ask, but this was one time I had to. The story she told me was very sad, and if it is true the way she told me she shouldn't be there. There's also the part where she's considered an outcast by her faith and her family. It hurt. I could see it in her eyes. I couldn't help but wonder if the difference between her faith that basically wanted to see her dead and all the stories about Jesus caring for broken women were getting through.

I don't know, but the second hug I got from her more than made up for the February incident. We cried together and had prayer. I continue to pray for her and ask that any other Christians who find their way here do as well.

And oh yes . . she asked for a whole Bible!