(a disclaimer - Anne was super slack in getting this on line this week - I've had it since Saturday but just today transcribed. We're (mom, dad and I) going to see Dave tomorrow so I'll do what updating I can about "Cheer Week.")
I don’t recall what day I left off at, but it doesn’t really matter. I’ve decided to not complain about TC as all that does is annoy me greatly (and probably those around me!).This conclusion wasn’t too difficult to reach upon a bit of reflection:1) Most people here are court ordered and have no choice, as they are facing jail/prison time if they don’t complete the course. Therefore, the people in charge however well-intentioned have an inordinate amount of power over the inmates here.2) Many of the aforementioned inmates have little to no discipline whatsoever, so many of the rules we live under are there simply to fill the void. However unnecessary there can be NOTHING unregulated in here. I’ve recently discovered the only beverages allowed other than the milk, juice, and coffee served in the kitchen is water and Emergen-C. Supposedly, Emergen-C is good for us while Kool-aid is not, so that is the only drink approved by TC. Personally, I think someone listened to too much Paul Harvey (RIP, bud). They probably have a BOSE Wave stereo too, suckers! LOL3) Finally, the only thing I can depend on in here is that nothing can be depended on if MNTC staff has anything to do with it. Especially the schedule, as the nicely laminated versions hung in public rooms in no way, shape or form reflects the actual schedule we live under.
To say life is interesting in here is to say the ocean has fish. Not quite descriptive enough…I’ll try to fill in some blanks. I’m in Teen Challenge, a treatment center, faith based, Christ centered, but still a treatment center for addictions. I’ve had one counseling session since entering two and a half weeks ago, and that was group counseling. The next one is scheduled for next week. They’ve also let me go to Celebrate Recovery once but not last night. The director’s home church is under construction so he decided to make working on a crew at his church mandatory for everyone here. When asked, we were told by him that we needed to learn the value and ethics of hard work (where’s my stick?! Y’all do me a favor: find one person in this world who could honestly accuse me of being lazy and be justified in doing so and I’ll stop taking offense at Herr Direktor’s comments (I’m not smiling as I’m not joking).When asked about the whole “treatment” thing, I was told to trust in the Holy Spirit to take care of the problem. I also heard the comment from a staffer: “if you’re here for treatment, go someplace else.” He did follow this up with “we’re here to meet Jesus.” I’m all for bible study and I love hearing more about Jesus but I’m sorry, bud: I’m here for treatment! That’s why this is called a TREATMENT CENTER!!! morons.
So apparently their version of treatment is to have me attend a two-hour class in the morning, do a half-hours worth of homework, then work on the work-study program (this is cleaning and maintaining the building again, learning how to do basic chores, basic maintenance, being “responsible.”) And of course going to Herr Direktor’s church to build it (he is not helping, he’s just sending us).
At some point, God Apparently will get fed up and intervene, sending the Healing Holy Ghost to take away my affliction at which point I will be slain in the Holy Spirit, receiving my first dose of Holy Ghost Goose Bumps and then I will truly see how the only thing I’m at fault for is being an addict. Everything else is Satan’s fault.Have I mentioned they’re a might Pentacostal in here? Ain’t seen any snakes yet, but I’m waiting…
So Dave, what keeps ya in there? The doors are open from the inside. I could leave, just walk right out. I could, but everyone knows I need to sober up and though I think this place is jacked up mostly, I’ll stay. For the most part this is a year off from life in general; all I have to do is keep my head down when it comes to the rules. Sucks cuz I’m not good at that, but I’m tryin!
We’re still studying Ephesians 6:10-18; the armor of God. That has been interesting so far. Our discussions have covered how to prepare for spiritual battle, what those battles entail, and the nature of the war itself. Like that the war itself was won by Jesus dying on the cross and rising again. But Satan is still waging a guerilla war of terror and skirmishes against Christians everywhere, hence the need for battle preparation.
We also are studying the Proverbs, one chapter a day. Convenient as there are 31 chapters, so Proverbs fits well into the calendar.
Yesterday I was asked to lead the worship service this morning (Wed) as the first ever live worship group for Duluth TC. I was able to get three other guys to join my efforts and I even managed not to tick them off during the process! We played “Holiness,” then “Life Song” and finished with “Breathe.” It went well and we were asked to do it again on April 15th, so that is cool. We are going to keep practicing regularly to be ready any time they want. I’ve also received many comments on how the guys preferred the live band instead of the CD we usually use, so maybe this could become a more regular thing? Who knows. Gotta keep from hitting folks with sticks! LOL.
Carey (Pastor Carey Vik) and Steve (Pastor Steve Cornelius) stopped in today to visit. It was quite fun sitting and conversing with the two of them. Good laughs and not all were at my expense! :) Quite nicely, they brought a 6-pack of soda for me and some of Jana’s homemade cookies (Thanks Jana!) They also brought me a Sony CD player and three CDs!!! It’s very nice to have my own music again. :) That is especially so as we’ve a road trip coming up next week.
Spiritual Emphasis Week. That sounds too much like “spirit fingers” therefore hereafter it shall be referred to as Cheer Week. Gimme my pom-poms and shut up! :) We leave Sunday and will be coming back Friday. Onwards to the Twin Cities for prayer, testimonies, worship and inspirational speakers; and absolutely no talking to members of the opposite sex. Yet another TC rule, not just for Cheer Week! Somehow I think I’ll probably get in trouble next week. I won’t be flirting (yeah: “hey babe, how ‘bout you and I ditch the rehab thing and catch a drink? Oh really? You were a junkie hooker turnin’ tricks for drug money? That’s cool. My liver is now concrete, my kidneys haven’t worked since the Clintons reigned and did I mention I’ve no job?) Yeah, that’ll work. LOL
I’m interested to see how they manage to haul 46 guys 3 hours in a van with no refreshments/food allowed. I see a fistfight coming.
After Carey and Steve left, momma showed up with the steaks we’re donated for Friday’s dinner. She also brought cokes for everybody and some extra snacks for me (string cheese; yay!) The guys asked at dinner if it was me that got the steak for tomorrows’ meal and I wasn’t sure how to answer. I hadn’t wanted to say it was me. I’m not doing it to buy friends, I just wanted a good steak and as they won’t let me out of here for another month and a half to go to a restaurant with friends, I just thought I’d get the steaks here. But apparently the cat’s out of the bag. Oh well.
We had two guys leave this week. Antwon walked on Monday, didn’t say goodbye, just walked out. And Scott, who I’d hoped would play drums for my worship team took off this morning and came back this afternoon obviously having had a few drinks. He was just stopping in to say he wouldn’t be staying. Too bad, he’s hopeless when he’s drinking; as in no work, no bath, no clue drunk.
Which brings me neatly (like the segue?) to the people of the prayer list:
Scott & Antwon: I guess that God would protect them and guide them to the help they need.
Pastor Rachel: She’s still going through rough times at home (details are unknown) and her workload is intense. Strength, wisdom and comfort to start sounds good to me.
Carey’s sister: She went back to the hospital today. She had a panic attack this morning and they may keep her for a bit. Carey’s looking into TC in Mpls for her. Maybe it’d be good? I dunno. Mixed feelings there. She needs comfort for sure and healing. I’m praying God will just put angels in her path with what she needs and that He’ll open her heart to receive that healing and help.
All of us here in “lock up”: As we head out to Cheer Week we’re praying for a safe journey, and that God will open our hearts to receive everything we need through His Holy Spirit.
I’m still fighting everything. I’m at the tail end of 3 weeks here. Only 39 left to go! (If they try to add extra time I’ll probably just leave. They’re getting a year – that’s plenty!) But I do need guidance, strength, comfort, wisdom and patience in trying to stay in TC and aptly running the new worship team. (Job training, what?! Dad’ll be so proud…) LOLOh yes: I’ve been invited to run sound for the Spring Jam and I’m hoping t not just go to run sound but to be able to bring the guys with too as a field trip. The Jam is May 9th so please pray on this too. The TC staff could really use a touch of Generosity Lord! Please?! :)
I love and miss all of you – David
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