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{SFTH} *A Sunday at San Quentin* 6/21/01
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A Sunday at San Quentin
By Mike Robinson
I volunteered to assist members of my church in providing a service for
inmates at San Quentin who could not attend the regular Sunday service in
the prison chapel. These inmates were hospital patients unable to leave
the hospital area because they were HIV positive. They were confined to
the hospital and nearby exercise yard. Little did I know this ministry
would have a profound impact on my life.
Not even the beauty of the morning could suppress the anxiety and fear I
felt as I approached the parking lot near the main entrance. I wasn't
sure what to expect. A few minutes later, my partner arrived, and we
proceeded into the main courtyard of the prison.
The prison chapel is the first building inside. We stopped there to sign
the visitor's log, then proceeded to the hospital. On our way I noticed a
large man in prison denims with tattoos around his neck and up and down
his arms. He approached my partner and gave him a big hug. After the
greeting, he turned to me and said in a rather intimidating voice "Who
are you?"
The anxiety I felt earlier was nothing compared to this. In a kind of
nervous, high pitched voice, I responded, "I'm Mike."
My partner explained that I was with him, and we came to do the church
service in the hospital. Then the inmate said, "Come here!" and he gave
me a big hug. When we left, I asked my partner, "Who's he?"
"Big D" my partner replied. "He's the choir director for the chapel."
I thought "Wow. What a way to be greeted to San Quentin."
As we proceeded toward the main cell blocks, to the hospital, and through
a large exercise yard, a large group of inmates waited to enter the
dining hall. As we passed the noise and confusion overwhelmed me. My fear
increased.
As we walked into the cell blocks, I was hit with a strong, unfamiliar
foul odor. The lighting was a subdued yellow and the surroundings
depressing. At the end of the hallway a large metal door led into the
hospital. My partner knocked and showed his ID through the window to the
officer inside. When the door opened another officer escorted us to the
exercise yard. After two more locked doors, we were in the "yard" outside
of the hospital.
The yard has no grass or flowers. It's simply a slab of cement surrounded
by high cyclone fences. At the end of the yard adjoining the building, is
a gun-walk above the yard where a prison officer paces back and forth
with a rifle watching the activities of the inmates. At the one end of
the yard is a makeshift handball court where several inmates played. On
the side of the yard next to the cyclone fence are several stainless
steel picnic tables. Several inmates gathered there playing dominos and
cards. Numerous other inmates were walking from one end of the yard to
the other, then turning around and walking back to get exercise and
relieve stress.
As we entered the yard, several inmates greeted us. Two of them ran to
get the garbage can on which we set up the Altar. It consisted of a small
box containing a cross, two candles, a small bottle with non-alcoholic
wine and a container of wafers for Communion. We placed a white linen
cloth below the box and inserted the candles and were ready to begin our
service.
Seven inmates joined us in the non-denominational service. We read the
Gospel and ask the inmates to respond how they felt about the reading.
The inmates talked about the scriptures and discussed how the Gospel
related to them. The interpretations that evolved were incredibly moving
and gave tremendous meaning to the readings.
The participants asked for prayers for their loved ones. Some asked for
guidance and understanding. Others asked for improved relationships with
fellow prisoners and prison officials. Then we prayed together for each
other.
I noticed the depression that engulfed one of the inmates. I could see
fear deep in his dark eyes. He seemed lost. He was very thin. He looked
as though he hadn't shaved in days. His teeth were badly decayed and his
hair was unkempt. I sensed that he was very ill.
When it came time for the "hug of peace." I approached the depressed
inmate, hugged him and said, "Peace be with you." I sensed he was far
away.
When it came time to serve Communion, I watched a small miracle unfold. I
dipped the wafer representing the body of Christ into the nonalcoholic
wine that represented the blood of Christ. As I placed my hand on his
shoulder and tried to look into his dark fearful eyes, I said, "This is
the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Take in remembrance that He
died for our sins."
As I placed the wafer on his tongue, his eyes lifted to mine, and I saw a
faint smile begin to appear. A sense of calm came over him and he seemed
at peace with himself.
After the Benediction, we dismantled the Altar, and the officers let us
out through gate. I looked back for the inmate who seemed so lost. I saw
him walking across the yard with a coffee cup in his hand and a smile on
his face. He seemed as though he was at peace.
I can't find the words to explain the feeling I had as I left San Quentin
that day. All I know is that the anxiety and fear I had when I arrived
were gone, and I too felt at peace. This whole experience was not about
me going to San Quentin to "give" to someone else. It was about me going
to San Quentin to "share" the spirit of God with others. That which I
gave was returned to me one hundred-fold. When the peace calmed that
inmate, I too, lost all the fear about being there. All that mattered was
the spirit of God that we shared together.
By Mike Robinson
MRobins1@prodigy.net
E-mail Mike and let him know what you thought of his story!
Mike Robinson is a member of All Saint Lutheran Church in Novato, CA. He
is a member of a six-person team that regularly provides spiritual
contact with those residents in the San Quentin Hospital who cannot
attend service in the San Quentin Chapel. He may be reached at P.O. Box
3102, Rohnert Park, CA 94927; e-mail: MRobins1@prodigy.net
Reprinted by permission of Mike Robinson (c) 1999, from "Chicken Soup for
the Prisoner's Soul" by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Tom
Lagana.
In order to protect the rights of the copyright holder, no
portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior
written consent. All rights reserved.
"Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul" -- Co-authored by Jack Canfield,
Mark Victor Hansen, and Tom Lagana. This special book in the series is
NOT available in bookstores. To receive a copy of "Chicken Soup for the
Prisoner's Soul" autographed by co-author Tom Lagana, please send a check
for $20 (includes shipping and handling) payable to "Prisoner's Soul,"
along with the name to autograph it to, shipping address, and mail to:
"Prisoner's Soul" - Autographed Copy; PO Box 7816; Wilmington, DE 19803.
The proceeds of this allow us to continue our ministry. A box of 24
"Soup" books of "Prisoner's Soul" or various "Soup" titles is also
available for $200. Thanks for your support. Bulk orders are not
autographed. For additional details, please e-mail: Success@TomLagana.com
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Thought For The Day:
"Faith is not a belief without proof, but trust without reservation."
(Elton Trueblood)
Verse for the Day:
"...I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."
2 Timothy 1:12
Kid's Thought For The day:
"Sharing isn't always the right thing -- like when it's chicken pox."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"Adults are always asking children what they want to be when they grow up -- they're looking for ideas." (Paula Poundstone)
Coach's Thought For The Day
"They haven't matured enough so that their competitive juices overcome their excuses." (Bill Nellville, former US National Men's Volleyball Coach)
Deep Thought For The Day:
In the oldies song, "Walk Like a Man," why do all the men sing like girls?
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REQUESTS:
Dear Michael, My coworker's wife has breast cancer and has taken her
last round of chemotherapy. She has really been sick and I would like
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high school days has been cancer free for 8 years and yesterday I
learned that her cancer had returned. Please pray for her and her
family. She and her husband have been sweethearts for 40 years. God
bless you and your family and please continue bringing your wonderful
messages to the Internet.
Judy Walker
JudyFromGadsden@webtv.net
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_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
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