From Ramen to Redemption

I had two new students in our horticulture class at Burruss Correctional Training Center recently.

They weren’t there to learn. When they saw me enter the facility, they realized that I was wheeling a cart full of ramen noodle packs. They came to class for some ramen. Ramen is a form of currency in prison; with the food often arriving in minuscule, inedible portions, many rely on ramen from the prison commissary for sustenance.

Many students arrive in our classroom because we often have a few dollars remaining in our monthly program budget and buy bulk ramen at Costco. If I can get someone who’s Muslim or Wiccan to come to a Christian class because of some ramen, that’s a win.

As soon as these two new students – who were 17 I might add – answered a question correctly and “won” a pack of ramen, they asked to go to the bathroom and never came back to class. I could have easily gotten frustrated or disheartened, but I didn’t.

Sitting directly in front of those two boys was a young man not much older than them – Gabriel. Gabriel was once in their shoes, mischievous and uninterested in learning. He came to class for the ramen. But over time, God softened his heart and he was overcome with change. He’s been an exemplary student ever since. 

A few weeks later I gave a tough assignment to my students. This semester they’re learning the basics of entrepreneurship – how to set up a “green” business, how to manage the books, and how to recruit clients and maintain professional relationships. Real-world skills that will help them gain employment upon their release and become productive citizens. The assignment was to find an entrepreneur and complete a lengthy interview with them followed by a 3-page report. Many students balked at the task – how were they supposed to find an entrepreneur in prison?

I explained that the guy doing tattoos, the guy selling cakes baked from commissary ingredients, they are entrepreneurs! Maybe someone in their family who visits them is an entrepreneur. Even if they didn’t know anyone who fit the bill, they could visit the prison’s library and find a biography of an entrepreneur and just prepare the report side of the assignment. As I detailed what all their papers would have to include, I glanced up at Gabriel. His eyes met mine.

In the deep, dark brown of his eyes, I saw a hunger, a hunger for more. A thirst for knowledge. A young man willing to meet the challenge.

I was so proud of him.

And to think it all started with some ramen.

I distributed feedback forms to our horticulture students recently. Below are some of their responses.

Do you think HeartBound’s classes make a difference?

• Yes – they make you feel relief, think, and make wise choices.

• Yes – valuable information presented by people you know care.

• Yes – it changes you completely.

• Yes. It is the best thing that has happened to me in my life, even before prison.

• Yes – the classes have changed a lot of people.

Did you have a positive experience in the program?

• Yes – Has taught much about God. I am trying to become Christian.

Do you believe that as a result of the program you are more likely to live a crime-free life?

• Yes, like I said earlier, it helped me become what I want to be.

• I now have the chance to evolve and start over and be successful.

Do you have decreased anger, feel more hopeful, and/or have better decision-making as a result of your participation?

• This class relaxes me because God is all over this class.

• I stop to think before I react.

• I have learned to control stress by drawing landscapes.

Did you grow personally or spiritually during this program?

• Yes, I learned that I need Jesus in my life.

• Yes because I learned things I thought I was not able to.

• This class is giving me confidence that I’m smarter than I’ve been programmed to believe my whole life.

• I grew more personally because I’ve never took time to think that no matter how far I am away from my children I could stay in touch.

• Spiritually: because I believe there can be a better me in me.

Do you have a better understanding of yourself and others after participating in this class?

• People and plants have a lot in common. They both need time, care, and nurturing.

• Yes and yes, I understand that I am capable of doing good things for myself and others.

• Yes. HeartBound should be at the top of a priority list. The services they offer are nothing but from God and very beneficial.

• Yes. Keep these programs because your Ministry opens doors for us to go through. We just need believers to believe in us. Thank you and God bless you all.

Thank you for believing in and investing in these students and this ministry. Thank you and God bless you all.

We hope you have a good week.

Spencer