“This is the most fun I’ve had in three years.”

I am someone who has to speak and write a lot for work. Words come naturally to me. Seldom do I struggle to find the right words to say or write.

 This is an exception. 

I don’t know how to properly describe to you what happened Saturday at Burruss Correctional Training Center.I think it was the most perfect day I’ve ever seen. I think I saw God move in a way I’ve never seen Him move before.

I think I felt his presence and His guiding hand in a way I’ve never felt before. 

I think a quasi-miracle happened. 

The story of Returning Hearts at Burruss Correctional Training Center begins with a “no,” an emphatic “no” at that.

Josh, our Malachi Dads instructor at Burruss (who’s also incarcerated by the way), asked me if HeartBound could sponsor a Returning Hearts for Burruss. My first response was “No.” 

The reasons were plenty. The staff weren’t ready for an event of this scope. We didn’t have enough volunteers in the area. We already have a Returning Hearts at Walker.  I wasn’t sure we had the resources or energy for a second Celebration. 

Trust me, these reasons are not unfounded. Returning Hearts is a massive undertaking. 

But Josh chipped away and Andrea and I sat down with Burruss staff and pitched the idea. The new warden had been at Pulaski State Women’s Prison when we hosted a Returning Hearts Celebration years ago so she was familiar with the concept. 

She said “Yes.” 

And so, it began. 

From the beginning, we encountered problems. Deadlines were missed. Phone calls to families went unanswered or weren’t returned. We had no clue what to expect. 

And then the day of the Celebration arrived. Andrea, Grace, and I all made a note of how calm we were. We’re usually exhausted by the start of the Celebration, but this year, we were peaceful, in-control, at-ease. 

When we arrived at 6 AM for setup, the front gate was locked and unmanned. We were not off to a great start. Andrea and I sat in the dark, unsure of what to do, offering silent prayers. We finally reached someone inside the prison who came out to let us in. Precious time had been lost, we were behind schedule, and some correctional staff seemed to have no idea of what was going on. 

But God was in control. (He always is, by the way.)

Again, I don’t have the words to describe to you what happened next. All our fears and frustrations melted away. Everything went perfectly. Staff members were incredibly helpful, even the ones who normally greet us with a frown were gratuitous and cheerful. The inmates who were serving as helpers played their parts perfectly, making sure no child went without heaps of popcorn, snow cones and cotton candy. The gray, cold sky melted away into a beautiful sea of warm blue. Children were laughing and playing, fathers were being fathers. It was beautiful.

Our guest speaker, Thomas, shared a message of hope with the men and their children. Thomas served 20 years in prison, and he was invited at the request of Josh, our Malachi Dads instructor. I’d never met Thomas, so I had no idea what he would say. His message was beautiful, as good as any speaker we’ve ever had. The men got to spend time with their kids before heading outside for a balloon release and send off. Once everyone had cleared out, Burruss staff let the 17-year-olds at Burruss, juvenile boys who have been charged as adults, out onto the yard to go down the giant slide, play in the bouncy house, and enjoy hot dogs and chips. 

One juvenile student of mine, Javari, asked me to go down the slide with him. I’ll be the first to tell you, I think I’m too old to be going down slides, but there wasn’t any way I would miss this. Climbing up the slide ladder felt like I was ascending to Heaven. Chaplain John, who will be the first to tell you he is way too old to be going down slides (sorry, Chap!), got to tumble down with some of the very boys he baptized a few short weeks ago. Chaplain John’s kids, Madison and Dow, were even on hand to witness their father’s ministry in action – how perfect is that?! 

One young man remarked, “This is the most fun I’ve had in three years.” Still another said, “You’re telling me I had to go to prison to get a hot dog, some chips, and a chance to go down a slide?!”

The entire scene was so unreal and so beautiful and so perfect and so Christ-like. I will never forget it. Mary Oliver writes of “the music with nothing playing.” Basking in God’s glory behind the razor wire at Burruss that Saturday, I think I heard angels cheering. One young man, my worst student by far, came up to me and said, “I will never forget what you all did for us today.” 

To the volunteers that dedicated their time and energy to ensuring this event’s success – thank you. There are riches abounding in Heaven for you. To the staff of Burruss that worked overtime, that said “yes” when they could have said “no,” thank you – you have just turned a page in the chapter of that prison. I promise Burruss will never be the same. To the families that drove hours just to bring their kids for a few hours with dad – thank you – we hope that the memories made Saturday will never be forgotten. To the donors that support our ministry and this Celebration in-turn – thank you – you brought a corner of Heaven to Burruss Correctional Training Center on March 16, 2024. To God, who eased our worries and made ALL OF THIS possible – thank you. 

So yeah, I think I’ve found the words. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

To Him be the glory. 

Spencer