Orange jump suite, why would guys wear orange jump suits? ” Was the question I asked myself when I saw 6 men standing around eating hamburgers at the serve and celebrate this past Saturday. Then I realized they are a work detail from the Yamhill county jail, so I went up to them and welcomed them to the celebration and encouraged them in enjoying all the free stuff at the serve and celebrate. I meet David first and his first question to me was ” what is this about, all this free stuff? ” I quickly explained to him what it was about and he said to me ” man if I had been here last year on this day I would not have gotten into trouble!”
On my way to help out at Serve and Celebrate I prayed ” Lord if there is anyone there who needs to hear from you I am willing to speak for you. Lead me, I am willing!” My task for the day was to be a helper to Gem 100 in cooking hamburgers and hot dogs. The celebration was winding down when I met David and the crew. I was drawn to David and his statement. David stated, ” These are all churches, together doing this! Wow I didn’t know they worked together!”
I asked and David filled me in on some of his background and he was searching for God. I asked him if he had ever committed his life to God through Jesus, and he said no. I asked him if it was something he wanted to do, and he said yes. There between the Gem 100 grill and Pogy’s sandwich booth David accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. I gave him a Gideon bible and exchanged phone numbers and got him hooked up with Pastor John of the Four Square church so that when he gets out of jail at the end of the month he will have some hope of making it. David wants to go to college and become a LPN.
It is amazing how God works, orange jump suits, hamburgers and a willing heart to hear from him and be obedient.
I admit I had chuckled in nervousness when I saw them arrive in their orange suits…not because I suspected them of any intentions but because of how they would be perceived. God didn’t allow me to think that way very long. I joked with a few team members that I’d like 40 inmates next year!
SEP