A Wife’s Perspective
It has been a joy and a privilege to have seen Rip touch the lives of inmates and staff at the Washington State Reformatory through the 15-year ministry of Opening Blind Eyes. He often comes home with mixed emotions: joy that men open up in counseling sessions or gain new insight in Bible Study--mixed with frustration that he can’t minister to inmates and staff as he would like.
We recently attended the annual volunteer appreciation dinner at WSR. It was delightful to meet some of “Rip’s” inmates. They couldn’t shake his hand enough, and it brought tears to my eyes.
We enjoyed the entertainment -- an all-inmate rock band, and a video with inmates thanking various volunteer programs. Inmates served the pizza and salad dinner!
Please pray for more opportunities for inmates and Correction Officers to spend time with each other in nonthreatening ways like this dinner. And for staff and inmates to respect each other more.
Rip also needs prayer for his own life. I’m having a knee replacement Aug. 21, and he’ll be caring for me. His brother broke his pelvis is a motorcycle accident last month. He is recovering well. But his accident and 3-month recovery time means Rip has even more responsibility in caring for his dad, whose dementia is increasing. Rip is an elder at church, and the duties involve several 3-hr. meetings a week.
Rip answered God’s call for prison work, and I’m so glad he did. Thank you for all your prayers and financial support so that Rip can minister to some of the least and lost among us.
With love, Cathy