The prisoners wanted contraband, not a “country band”!

…but they did enjoy the gospel band that played tonight!

I had the incredible opportunity to sit in with Slarti’s band, X-Alt this evening for a concert at the Riverbend Maximum Security Prison.

It was a great experience! The men were all very kind to us, and so grateful that we came out to sing for them. It was cool to me how they helped set up our equipment, and when we realized that the piano that used to be in the chapel was gone, one of the inmates let us borrow the keyboard he had been allowed to have for good behavior. I noticed how a couple of them were so excited to be able to play Katy’s guitar and she was very gracious to them when they asked if they could play it.

The two most moving parts of the evening, for me, was when each man was asked if he had a need that he would like to be prayed for. These guys wanted prayers for their families, for each other, and even for us. Then one of the guys stood and spoke about how earlier in the week, he hurt one of his fellow inmates, who was now sitting across the aisle from him. He said that he wanted to publicly thank this man because he showed compassion toward him even when he had hurt him so bad. He said it was the first time in his life that somebody had shown him that kind of compassion. It was a very compelling moment to watch two very tough-on-the-outside hardened criminals be so touched by an act of kindness.

The other thing that was just amazing was listening to one of the inmates play and sing a song he wrote. It’s called, “Where the River Bends,” and it was REALLY good. (Remember the name of the institution?) Anyway, having just an acoustic guitar accompanying his R&B flavored voice fit perfectly together for this song. All of the guys seemed to know the song, too, and were singing along. He sang of struggling to stay afloat in the raging river of life and of praying that the Lord would keep him safe where the river bends. It made me all teary (of course).

It was a blessing to be a part of this band tonight. It felt great to be singing with a group again. There are few things I enjoy more than singing harmony with some really great singers. It was a blast.

I am very thankful to Slarti for the opportunity. I can’t put in to words how much I appreciate it.

A good man once said…”…for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ …‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these, My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

After the experience tonight, I kinda feel like I know what he meant.