Testimomies
A Call to Action for Lansing Correctional Facility
Hello, I apologize for not being able to be here but I love you all and would like to first take this opportunity to thank God for allowing me to take such an inspiring and life-changing course through Good Dads KC. I would also like to thank Lee and Arnie for being obedient to God and taking the time out of their days to come in and teach us what is so important in every man’s life, which is to be a good dad. For the Scripture says: “the father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that has a wise child shall have joy of him.” (Proverbs 23:24)
Men of this community, it first starts with us and the responsibility of raising children is ours. Taking time to learn how to be a good dad is an investment that not only trains up your children but breaks a potential generational curse Satan put upon us to be absent fathers. Our children are our legacies and even though we’ve marred our names, we can make the names of our children good, for Scripture says: “a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1)
How can we make the names of our children great? By pouring into them lovingkindness, instruction and discipline. We need to learn who our children are and what motivates them, along with using wisdom to train them up in the ways of God to be intelligent and morally awesome. This leads to godliness, preserving their lives and the lives of our grandchildren and so on.
So again I say to you men of this community – it starts with you! By joining Brothers in Blue Reentry, you will have already declared a desire to change as becoming a good dad is one of the most important changes you must make. For not only does it affect you, but it is the determination of your entire family life. Join Good Dads KC for your children and your legacy start today! May God bless all of you. Your brother and fellow believer in Christ, — — — —
A Letter to Dad
Dear Dad,
If only I could remember the thoughts and days when I was a kid. I was really young when you left me and my older brother. But 35 years later, I still don’t have any memories or even an image of you – and still to this day, nothing. So as I was growing up hearing stories about you – how you are short like me and your name is Alvin – there was one question I was asked a lot: Through all the trials and tribulations I’ve been, would I change anything? And I always said ‘no’! Because, look at me – I’m a strong young man and I’ve still got struggles but I’m alive, happy, and I’ve got God!
But as for my mom – I know who she is and I thank God for her! Whenever I decided I needed her, she was always there for me. She would always ask me if I wanted to see my dad and in those days I really didn’t know. When I was growing up on my own, I taught myself mostly everything my dad didn’t teach me which was very hard at times.
Before I was going to go to prison for almost 5 years, I went to visit my mom and that day she even asked me if I wanted to go see my dad. I didn’t know, because my whole life I hadn’t known how to answer that question.
But as for now, dad, even if I don’t ever get to meet you, I want you to know I forgive you. And as much as I’ve put my mom through – the worries, the hurt, the struggles in my life – I love you [mom]. Thank you for being the blessing in my life. And I’m thankful for the one and only, our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. Can I get an amen?
From, An inmate at Lansing Correctional Facility
Heaven’s Grocery Store
I was walking along the highway some time ago, when I arrived to a beautiful place called Heaven’s Grocery Store. “Interesting” I said. “I think I will take a look inside”. When I came to the doors, it opened wide. To my surprise, there were angels everywhere! One handed me a basket and said, “shop with care”. Everything a Christian needed was there. I marched down the aisles grabbing bags of love, cases of joy, cans of peace, liters of long suffering, pounds of kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control, all the fruits of the Spirit. I came to a section where a sign read “free, take one”. Looking at what it was, it was salvation. My basket was getting full, when an angel whispered to me saying “this is a 24/7 store. If you get low, our stock is unlimited so you could always come back for more”. I came up to the register to be checked out and asked the angel behind the register, “how much do I owe”? Without looking at me he just said “take them everywhere you go”. I laughed and again I said “how much do I owe”? He looked at me with a smile and said, “my child, Jesus paid your bill a long time ago”.
-By Lewis Covington