June 2017 Edition 3 Volume 1. God s Special Time, PCI 35 A Perspective from the Week- End Leader by Larry Watkins

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Pasquotank Correctional Institution June 2017 Edition 3 Volume 1 Kairos Outside NorthEast God s Special Time, PCI 35 A

Watkins Our Leader for PCI 35 summarize PCI #35 because I get to see all the flaws in what I could've done better.

a man planned weekend into something remarkable.

Have you ever tried explaining how an orange tastes to someone that has never had an orange? You can't.

Hearts were softened, tears were shed and community was built by strangers that are now brothers.

Our small team of 26 delighted in fellowship and were able to see 41 men transform in just a few days time.

God will continue to grow these men in their walk, even the Muslims. God uses all things for His good remember.

not to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.

holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.

1 Pasquotank Correctional Institution June 2017 Edition 3 Volume 1 Kairos Outside NorthEast God s Special Time, PCI 35 A Perspective from the Week- End Leader by Larry Watkins From a leader s standpoint, it's difficult to Figure 1 Larry Watkins Our Leader for PCI 35 summarize PCI #35 because I get to see all the flaws in what I could've done better. However, it's all the better because where our plan fails, as it's sure to do, the Holy Spirit fills in the gaps and makes a man planned weekend into something remarkable. That remarkable uniqueness is also difficult to put into words, because it's truly something that has to be experienced. Have you ever tried explaining how an orange tastes to someone that has never had an orange? You can't. The Kairos weekend is the same way. Bonds were made, sins and people were forgiven. Hearts were softened, tears were shed and community was built by strangers that are now brothers. All of that before Sunday, our last day. Our small team of 26 delighted in fellowship and were able to see 41 men transform in just a few days time. Remarkable, yet this is the power of The Holy Spirit. This is what happens when God shows up. God will continue to grow these men in their walk, even the Muslims. God uses all things for His good remember. 1 Corinthians tells it best: 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things and the things that are not to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. We hope to see you soon at PCI #36 In Memory of Walt Uhde - Walking TALL amongst the angels! Tex gives PCI 35 4 th day talk By Rodney Lovell, a resident at Pasquotank Correctional Institution Thank you. It is a great honor to be able to speak with you this afternoon. My name is Rodney Lovell, but most people know me as Tex. Like you I am a Kairos Graduate, and I want to welcome you to the Kairos Family. You will have to forgive a not so old, old man for having to read this, but I am not a public speaker

2 and if I don t write things down, I tend to either lose my train of thought or just plain, forget the point I was trying to make, and there are a few important things I d like to share with you So better safe than sorry. You ve just experienced something very special Kairos is indeed God s Special Time and this weekend could very well be the best 4 days you ll ever spend in Prison. It was for me and I ve been in prison for a very long time. I also know that more than a few of you are wishing that it didn t have to end, and I may have some good news for you in that regard. Thought your weekend is coming to a close, it could be just the beginning of something even better. The choice is yours to make. (Remember Choices) I ve been in Prison for 37 years this October and have spent just shy of half of that on max or long term or some other form of lock-up because I didn t care about anything or anybody but myself. I was on Lock-up at Central Prison the first 4 or 5 times I felt the love of Kairos, and I didn t even know who they were. Back in the day when they had a weekend, on Saturday nights everyone in the camp received 2 dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies, even the C. O s. Now let me tell you, if you are locked up in a cell and hungry, 2 dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies are literally a Gift from God, and very much appreciated. Well for one reason or another, mostly because I was on lock-up when a weekend was fixing to happen, it took me 28 years into my sentence before I finally got the opportunity to attend a weekend of my own and by that time I was pretty well hardened in spirit and bitter at the world. But that weekend in 2008 and all of the love I received really affected me in a big way, and though I didn t know it the, I can say now without a doubt that Kairos broke the shell of my hardened heart and gave me my humanity back. It also planted a seed that germinated and grew over the next few years that really changed my life and can change yours too. Though I am physically restrained, I am freer now than a lot of people in the free world, and that freedom starts from the principles I picked up over my Kairos Weekend, and the relationship I developed as a result. Kairos is a Christian Ministry like no other I have ever experienced, and I ve seen a few over the years. But Kairos is special. They are the best thing ever to enter prison. They don t try to force a belief system on you they just love you to Jesus and trust in His power to do the work. Every time they or their wives come thought those doors; they are examples of the Jesus they serve in all of His glory. You got to experience his Grace, Mercy and Love this weekend and I can assure you that it was not an act put on for your benefit. The Kairos volunteers do it week after week, year after year in selfless devotion and love. How can you not be attracted to that! You have been told about Prayer and Share on Monday nights and I urge each of you to come and participate, even if you are not spiritually inclined at the moment. Like the Weekend everyone is welcome and it is more of Kairos at its best, a weekly booster shot that makes the rest of the week easier to deal with. It is an opportunity to talk to people you normally would not and to share the good and bad of your week. You can let your guard down and be the real you around people who care, the volunteers, and you will be surprised even those you live around every day. There is no pressure and you can believe we talk and pray about any and everything. I also want to encourage those of you with women in your lives to take advantage of the opportunity and consider signing them up for the Kairos Outside weekend. Though I didn t have anyone to send myself, I personally know several people who sent their Moms, wives or girlfriends and no one has ever had a negative experience in fact. Thus, the opposite is true. They are richly blessed and over whelmed by the love they are shown by the women volunteers. So, do something special for that someone special and give a gift of love. They deserve it.

In closing, I hope you will take what you have picked up over the weekend, even if it is only the goodie bag you received, and pray fully consider it at length.

3 In closing, I hope you will take what you have picked up over the weekend, even if it is only the goodie bag you received, and pray fully consider it at length. The principles can change your life in her and on the street, but the choice is up to you. I ll leave you with a favorite quote, though I have no idea who made it, regarding faith: Faith isn t about everything turning out okay. Faith is about being okay regardless of how things turn out. Take Care and God Bless and I hope to see you on Monday night. A letter to a son at PCI from his mother - a Kairos Outside participant at KO West #16 - By anonymous The following is an excerpt taken from a letter written by a woman who attended the KAIROS Outside weekend to her fiancé who nominated her and is still incarcerated. (Initials have been substituted for actual names.) Figure 2 - Kairos Outside Logo "I had been working on a letter as a response to the last epistle you sent me, but upon returning from Kairos I tore it up and am now preparing this one. I let it go. CC, first I want to say thank you. If it wasn't for you, I would have never experienced this retreat. My spirit feels cleansed, refreshed, rejuvenated. I'm on a high that I'm never coming down from. This journey has brought me closer to God and let me release all those things I hadn't even realized I'd been holding on to. It means so much to me. It made me cry all weekend. Second, I love you very much. This is the most deepest, thoughtful, and loving gift anyone has ever given me. Priceless. Timeless. Words cannot express just how grateful and appreciative I am that you thought enough of me and you know me well enough to know that it was what we needed. The precious gift of agape you have given us, I will never forget. I will never forget; I will forever cherish and have this memory. I'm so glad that you are in my life and you're still a part of my world. You're simply irreplaceable. My cup is overflowing. I'm smiling on the inside and out. I am fully blessed and those women reminded me that I am special, I am beautiful, I'm not alone, I am loved and comforted. I am strong, deserving, and accepted as I am. I wish I could of seen this sooner. I don't despise you. I don't hate you. This retreat has allowed me to truly forgive everyone and forget everything. It is finished. The past is the past and that is where its going to stay. Everything is according to God's plan. God don't make no mistakes. Everything is as it is because He said that it is so. This retreat helped me to finally forgive myself. I'd been beating myself up. I've learned thru this experience I had built a wall up of isolation, pity, anger, depression, fear, sad, regrets. I can go on and on but I laid it all at the cross. I gave it all to God and I let it go. My eyes are wide open. My ears are tuned in. I'm listening to God. What is for me is for me and I know He won't fail me. I have you, God, and Kairos Outside to thank for all these things. I am seizing this moment." Kairos Outside Northeast A new Ministry in NorthEast NC - By Judy Atwell, Chairperson We have our team for #1 and are moving forward with a talented, dedicated group of women. Jamie

Crumpler will be leading our first weekend and we ask that everyone surround her with your prayers.

Conference Center in Columbia. Although these women are on the outside, they are serving a sentence right along with their loved one.

Wives are raising children alone; mothers are feeling the loss of a child; children are dealing with the stigma of a father in prison.

For three days, they are in a safe place where they can express themselves openly and know that they won t be judged, condemned or belittled.

We need women 20 years old or older to join our team and work on the weekend. We need angels, men or women, who are willing to work behind the scenes to make the weekend a success.

4 Crumpler will be leading our first weekend and we ask that everyone surround her with your prayers. Figure 3-4H Conference Center, Columbia, NC For those of you unfamiliar with Kairos Outside we minister to the female relatives of those in prison through a three-day weekend held at the 4-H Conference Center in Columbia. Although these women are on the outside, they are serving a sentence right along with their loved one. They are dealing with loss, sorrow, anger, disappointment, loneliness, shame, resentment and many times economic hardship. Wives are raising children alone; mothers are feeling the loss of a child; children are dealing with the stigma of a father in prison. We bring these women together for the weekend and treat them with love, respect and dignity. For three days, they are in a safe place where they can express themselves openly and know that they won t be judged, condemned or belittled. They will be showered with God love, surrounded with affirmation and treated like queens! You can be a part of that amazing event. We need women 20 years old or older to join our team and work on the weekend. We need angels, men or women, who are willing to work behind the scenes to make the weekend a success. We need those who can t participate in the actual weekend to help us prepare agape posters, pictures, placemats. We need donations of snacks, drinks, personal care items, teddy bears, flowers and of course money. To volunteer, go to our website at and fill out the Contact us form. If you wish to make a donation, follow the instructions on the website at There is no charge to our guests or our teamers for the weekend. We are entirely supported by donations. And of course, we need you to pray for us. Everything we do needs to be showered with prayer. Kairos Outside NorthEast sets teaming schedule for Weekend # 1. Friday - July 14 th - 6:30PM 10 PM Friday - July 21 st - 6:30PM 10 PM Friday - July 28 th - 6:30PM 10 PM Friday August 4 th - 6:30PM 10 PM Friday August 11 th - 6:30PM 10 PM Friday August 18 th - 6:30PM 10 PM Teaming will be at Trinity Baptist Fellowship 2290 Peartree Rd, Elizabeth City Kairos Outside upgrades website - By the Webmaster Take a few minutes and look at the new website for Kairos Outside at A new ministry, Kairos Outside Northeast, joins KO West and KO East and is staffed with volunteers many of whom have been serving on the outside teams of Pasquotank Figure 4-KO Home Page and Bertie. The first weekend will be September 1-3, 2017 at the 4 H Center in Columbia, North Carolina. Message from a Kairos Graduate and Angel on PCI 35 - By TM, a resident at Pasquotank Correctional Institution Kairos, God s Special Time, and what a special time it is for all those involved, be it Kairos personnel, Kairos volunteers and staff, prison officials and staff, Kairos participants, whether inside or out. I came to know the Kairos group in 1998 at Central Prison in Raleigh, NC, as an inmate. I am just a simple man of 63 years and through this time, Kairos has come to mean something more to me. This being that, when the dark clouds cast its shadow of darkness over a person s life, whether male or female, bound or free, people become oppressed, bound by the pitfalls of life whether by their action or the action of others. The dark clouds of Sin affect all by our inability to love and forgive.

By the wrath of darkness in the soul, through anger, fear, hatred, racism and unforgiveness, we will reach out to the disease of pride, drugs, alcohol, sex or greed to give ourselves a false sense of

Praise be to God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ that by God s compassion, love, grace and mercy He had the answer to the dark clouds of sin and that answer was Love, plain and simple.

5 By the wrath of darkness in the soul, through anger, fear, hatred, racism and unforgiveness, we will reach out to the disease of pride, drugs, alcohol, sex or greed to give ourselves a false sense of power or a fleeting moment of peace that is like a puff of smoke that never lasts. Sin destroys all it comes in contact with, our lives, our families, our hopes and dreams. Praise be to God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ that by God s compassion, love, grace and mercy He had the answer to the dark clouds of sin and that answer was Love, plain and simple. God s love was given to his Son and the Son s love was given to all those that accepted that love and healing. All those devoted and devout men and women are the Kairos Group. All of these devoted loving souls are to me the Kingdom s Agents In Restoring Oppressed Souls. The Chairman of Kairos of NC, Charlie Walls, attends PCI 35 closing. It was a pleasure for my wife, Garnette, and I to visit the closing of PCI 35. It was a very exciting and moving experience. It was very evident that the participants had a spirit filled weekend and were moved by your love and commitment to serve. Thanks to all who had a part in making the weekend such a success, both inside and outside teams. As we have had the opportunity to visit several other weekend closings we are more and more convinced that God is working in a great way to change the lives of those who felt they were totally alone and forgotten. You have shown to me your commitment to follow the stated Mission Statement of Kairos, The mission of the Kairos Prison Ministry is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women and youth, as well as their families, to become loving and productive citizens of their communities. Good job! Keep up the good work! Peace! Charlie Kairos volunteers come in God s special time to bring about the beginning of a spiritual, emotional and psychological healing, and by God s grace bring sunshine back into the soul. Some clouds are light gray and some dark and thick and need more time to dissipate. The love, faith, truth and patience are real and come by the Power of the Holy Spirit by the love and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. You are all so loved and truly needed. Thank you for your faithfulness in answering the call on your lives. We serve The God who transforms. By Chaplain David Schlichter - PCI-35 May 4-7 was my first Kairos experience. I am a retired Army Chaplain now serving Pasquotank Correctional Institution. I have become addicted to being a part of and witnessing transformation in people s lives. As I witnessed PCI-35, I was renewed in my passion for service to the Lord. He is the only one who can take hardened hearts and open minds and make them new. He is the only e who can reach into the soul and remind the forgotten that they ARE loved and they are not forgotten, and HE has a plan and a purpose for their life. Figure 5 - Chaplain David and Chaplain David Through the vehicle of Kairos, I have seen life restored where there was nothing but cold, unfeeling existence. Through the vehicle of Kairos, I witnessed sworn enemies who once were captivated by hate, embrace and ask for forgiveness. Where else in the world can you see such transformation? I feel sorry for the American church, because they have forgotten the God who transforms, who makes the lame to dance, blind to see, and dead to raise. Too many churches have settled on the mundane when we have been called to thriving passionate life. He is God who loves, yet the world says, you are only loved if you re good enough, pretty enough, wealthy enough. Many churches communicate that you have

sinned too much and you re not good enough to be loved or welcomed into their fellowship. This weekend I witnessed a broken-hearted resident feel the love of God FROM HIS PEOPLE.

He was abandoned by those who were called to love. IF those who are called by God s name will not love, then what god are they representing? Love is ONLY understood by demonstration.

In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

John 13:35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. A Message from the Music Leader of PCI 35 Joe Stuter PCI 35 was another God blessed weekend.

By Saturday afternoon I saw many of these rugged, tough Figure 6 - The PCI 35 Music Team men's hearts melt with compassion as they read the letters that were given to them.

6 sinned too much and you re not good enough to be loved or welcomed into their fellowship. This weekend I witnessed a broken-hearted resident feel the love of God FROM HIS PEOPLE. He shared that when his crime was discovered he was asked to leave the church. This same body he had played music for, worshiped with and built friendships. He was abandoned by those who were called to love. IF those who are called by God s name will not love, then what god are they representing? Love is ONLY understood by demonstration. Talk is cheap, but the truth is in the behavior. God demonstrated his love in this Jesus says, Matthew 5:44-45 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. (NLT) IF we are not loving the unlovable, are we truly children of God? You know you are loved BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU EXPERIENCE. Through Kairos the forgotten and rejected are SHOWN that they are loved. John 13:35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. A Message from the Music Leader of PCI 35 Joe Stuter PCI 35 was another God blessed weekend. We saw men come to us Thursday afternoon that were hurting, confused and needing a Savior or a spiritual awakening. As the weekend progressed, most of these men were touched by God. By Saturday afternoon I saw many of these rugged, tough Figure 6 - The PCI 35 Music Team men's hearts melt with compassion as they read the letters that were given to them. It was such a blessing to me to lead the worship as we sang songs to the King of Kings and Lord of lords. The residents really had a great time on Saturday afternoon as we sang songs like pharaoh pharaoh and many other songs that made us smile and or laugh. Once again to God be the glory for the great things he has done. Let me finish by saying most of the residents now call me jukebox Joe. A message from Jeff Ford, Chairman of Pasquotank Correctional Institution. I am thankful for the opportunity serve in this new position this year. I ask you to pray with me that the Lord will help me serve well as your Advisory Council chair. We just finished up a great weekend with Larry Watkins as our weekend leader. He did an outstanding job as he stepped up to take on that roll. Thank you to everyone who helped make this weekend a success. We would like to ask everyone to pray with us as PCI makes some transitions in the makeup of the population which will cause us to adjust our approach to ministry. Pray that God will open new doors and help us to continue to serve the men at Pasquotank. We look forward to seeing what God is going to do next. A few words from a PCI 35 Volunteer - By Ken Johnson KAIROS PCI 35 put the key in the door that opened to what for many are new sights and sounds. Among those new sights were volunteers who met the inmates as followers of Christ, followers of Christ whose only agenda was to deliver His resounding unconditional love. There was no judgment, only an outreached hand that invited the inmates to take what for many was the first step in their journey towards forgiveness of themselves, forgiveness of others and a peace many of them have never experienced before.

It is a journey, and as with any new journey the path is made so much easier to follow and stay on if we have a guide.

is a new trail. At the end of the journey is Christ, Christ with His outstretched arms and unconditional embrace...welcome Home He Says, I Love You!

the Pasquotank Sewing Plant presented this banner to Jeff Ford, Kairos Chairman, and Larry Watkins, PCI 35 weekend leader, in appreciation of the love and dedication the Kairos volunteers exhibit to

7 It is a journey, and as with any new journey the path is made so much easier to follow and stay on if we have a guide. We, the volunteers, were honored and blessed to serve as extended guiding hands, and the unconditional love Christ has instilled in us to extend to the inmates will help guide them down what for many is a new trail. At the end of the journey is Christ, Christ with His outstretched arms and unconditional embrace...welcome Home He Says, I Love You! Pasquotank Sewing Plant presents banner to Kairos volunteers - By Jack Atwell Figure 8- Embroidery on case Figure 7 Sewing Plant Banner On May 20 th, at the PCI 35 Instruction Reunion, the members of the Pasquotank Sewing Plant presented this banner to Jeff Ford, Kairos Chairman, and Larry Watkins, PCI 35 weekend leader, in appreciation of the love and dedication the Kairos volunteers exhibit to their brothers inside Pasquotank. The banner also has a beautiful case embroidered with the Kairos logo and the words God Special Time. What a Privilege to Serve God - Confessions of a First-Time Teamer By Gary Martin I would like to take this time to thank God for, C.D. White, Andy Stoll, Larry Kemm and Bruce Simons for sharing their experiences with Kairos Prison Ministry (God s Special Time) during our Sunday School class. I have known about Kairos for several years while attending Evangelical Methodist Church. These men encouraged me to step out in faith and serve as a volunteer with Kairos Prison Ministry - PCI 35. I honestly, did not know what to expect when surrendering and taking this journey with God by my side. No words can describe how men s lives, including my own life was changed during this special time. The Inside and Outside Teams, to include all the local community, churches support and agape from all over the world was phenomenal during the four-day weekend. I shared my journey with my wife, Janis every night after each day s event. I could not even talk without falling apart emotionally while reflecting on how the day unfolded. After the weekend, I believe that the 42 residents who attended PCI #35 at Pasquotank Correctional Institution that their lives were changed in some special way. The Holy Spirit was truly at work. In addition, I would like to thank our Family Table Team Leaders, Tom Quance and Clergy Leader, Bill Bailey who were instrumental in guiding our Family of Paul. Daniel 6:27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions. Figure 9 - Prayer is what the weekend stands on

8 Figure 12 - Thomas Phelps prepares for a meditation Figure 15 - Chow time at the PCI Cafe Figure 11 - Isaac mind melding with the Chaplain Figure 14 - Poster time Figure 10 - Building a prayer chain Figure 13 - The Chaplain and Ms Scott - Our very own Kairos CO

The mission of the Kairos Prison Ministry is to bring Christ's love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals, their families and those who

The mission of the Kairos Prison Ministry is to bring Christ's love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals, their families and those who work with them, and to assist in the transition of becoming