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Tales from the West Texas Dust - Page 2

© Coy Holley

101: In light of the recent execution of Karla Faye Tucker and past and recent names in the news [(Ex.) Henry Lee Lucas, Darlene Routier, etc.], what would you perceive to be the state of the current criminal justice system in Texas? What would your assessment of it be?

Herman: I am not familiar with the state of the system, how it aligns or does not align with Biblical standards of justice. I've been told that not all get equal sentencing for the exact same crime. That is not right. I would suggest to readers who want to know more about this to contact Justice Fellwoship's Texas branch located in Houston.

101: OK - enough talk about problems. I'd like to get into a hypothetical question now. In some recent interviews I've had, I have heard solutions ranging from the slashing of the salaries of district judges and requiring them to spend time in prison like an inmate for a month so that they know what people are sentencing these prisoners to - all the way to the increase of the numbering of people volunteering for prison ministry. In your honest opinion, what do you think will once and for all take care of the problems we face crime-wise as Texas citizens?

Herman: Until our Lord returns to establish His Kingdom, the problem of sin, crime will not disappear. We can work toward incorporating more programs that do work.

101: If God gave you X-ray vision and ESP into the minds of the people you serve, what do you think they would be thinking? ALso - if the people you serve had a message that they would like the general public to understand and comprehend, what do you think they would like to say - but can't for various reasons?

Herman: At first when a volunteer comes into a unit, they'd be thinking: "Where's this person coming from? Is this person here to rack up more notches on his or her serving belt? Is this person here to pontificate? Or is this person really His servant, willing to listen, willing to stick it out with us, willing to pray with us, willing to accept us as one of His created beings, willing to accept limited literacy skills, willing to figure out my culture, socio-economic experiences..."

Over time, inmates, families know where the volunteer's coming from. If the volunteer is real, has a true calling from the Lord - they'll know it and be open to hearing the volunteer. Don't forget they're very good at reading body language! Does the volunteer come when it's icy outside? On their birthday? That volunteer is building up a relationship and earns the right to share our Lord, His Bible. By the way, it's best for group volunteers to minister. If one is sick, the group still comes. The inmates want free-world folks to realize the truth of Psalm 139: God made them,too. They got off track where they were not meant to be, but God created them and loves them. Sin is sin. A little non-prison sin or bank robbery sin: whither cuts off a person from a perfect God. Only through the blood of Jesus in our place can us humans get back in His fold.

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