Thursday, Friday, Saturday - June 28,29,30
Thursday 6/28
Building more partnerships:
Lunch with an old friend I knew from the 60's. Great guy who attends church that has some form of prison outreach. I hope to be able to connect to leadership to discuss mutual ministry.
Met with representative of local non-profit whose mission is "to create effective opportunities for change by working as a community to provide better alternatives for youth, positive peer relationships, accountability, hope and real dialogue."
Feed back received: No one is doing what Hope for Families of Inmates would purpose to accomplish. It was offered that what we seek to do "is fundable" but that there is a rather "competitive environment" among non-profits here in Asheville. (Something I have heard for two years)I shared about our approach of "Shalom" and will try to connect to agency leadership next time.
Friday 6/29
Down the mountain with Devon to pick up Ethan (in Charlotte, from LA) and Yvonne (GSP airport from Miami).
Really missed her and I hope to be able to provide her with at least some rest from what has been an extremely busy time at Hope for Miami.
Great to see Ethan...Among his interests is doing "voice over" work. Hoping to connect him to some buds up here who do this professionally.
Ruby's BBQ Shack- One of our fav places has it all...great food, low prices, fun atmosphere...
Here's an idea of what's going on this weekend in the area.
Monday,Tues, Wed 6/25,26,27
Mon 6/25
Networking Continues: More calls setting up meetings around "Hope for the Carolinas/Hope for Families of Inmates". Things really falling into place. It appears we have at least two corrections facilities interested and three churches ready to move forward with visitation trips into the prisons.
Tues 6/26
Trey arrived from Orlando, Devon got in from a "road trip" across the US.
Seldom Scene in Asheville
My Father's Pizza, Black Mountain, NC..
Scenes from of my uncle's porch.
Wednesday 6/27 - HAD to make it to Oconoluftee River in Cherokee for at least one day.
Devon will be heading to Shanghai on July 2 to teach.
Trey at out fav place...(Dad lost a HUGE trout here later)
Caught mostly brown trout today, most unusual..
Oh, we made the obligatory trip to Walmart for fishing supplies and snacks..Proud to say, we're eatin' healthy
Thurs, Fri, Sat, June 21,22,23
Thursday
Met today with assistant supervisor of programs and program director of the Marion Correctional Center, a maximum security facility with over 400 inmates.
After briefly sharing the "big picture" of Hope for Miami, I explained what a partnership might look like between the Center and "Hope for the Carolinas/Hope for Families of Inmates". They expressed interest in developing with us visits of children with incarcerated dads as well as the possibility of mentoring of these kids. Said I should connect to the Regional Director for Programs based in the nearby-town of Lenoir.
Friday
Same deal as yesterday. Met with the administrator of the Buncombe Correctional Center as well as the Regional Director of Programs mentioned above. Great time. Lots of good inter-change, listening and asking/answering questions.
What it all may mean: It was pretty clear that both Marion and Buncombe Centers are interested in pursuing some sort of partnership. Ball is in the Regional Director's hands. He's going to pass along all the info I've given them over the last month, plus the collateral I gave him to the folks in Raleigh who call the shots. IF there seems to be interest in talking further, next steps might mean my return with Hope for Miami staff to begin putting a plan in place and what I mentioned on the first page of this blog.
FYI: The State of NC is in the process of re-thinking and re-vamping "all-things corrections". If you get a notion, check out the summary of the Justice Reinvestment Act. As each of those I met with opined, "this could really be ideal timing for some sort of collaboration".
My Take on all this: Nothing I have seen so far suggests to me that the Lord is closing doors on some sort of involvement within the prisons, the children and caregivers, volunteers, and community at-large.
This coming week's activities:
I've lined up meetings with the pastor of a key church where my friend who will be point person on much of this attends. It is hoped that we will get to know each other, discuss the vision/mission of each entity and forge a ministry partnership around "families of inmates". My friend feels strongly that other churches and individuals will catch the vision and get on board.Time will tell...
- I'm also connecting to a "referral" who is part of a "shalom-sounding" initiative that has just gotten underway. He's involved in Dept of Corrections matters. We shall see.
- Also, I hope to attend the monthly meeting of the Buncombe Correctional Center's Community Resource Council. (Each Center is required to have one of these) In my initial outreach to the Centers, I was helped greatly by a gentleman who is involved in Kairos, a ministry to prisons. He was the president of this CRC for years and I look forward to meeting him. He is well respected by everyone I've talked to.
AIN'T NETWORKING FUN??
PLEASE PRAY: For follow-up to all this...
- For favorable response from "powers-that-be" on the State-level to beginning a journey of caring for "the least of these", children and families impacted by crime.
- For my time with the pastor whose congregation is poised to take an exciting journey (it is hoped) of ministry to "our kids". That he'll catch the vision and help mobilize (as Hope for the Carolinas equips and trains) the resources and members of his congregation.
- For the many other contacts I've yet to make, which I'm not even mentioning!
Saturday
Fun day today...
Spent time with Maxine and Lucas....
Two weeks old today !!
Took in a game at beautiful McCormick Field in Asheville (locals got beat)
Listened to Dashboard Blues play 50's and 60's tunes..fun to remember
Mon, Tues, Wed 6/18,19,20 Rick's Doin's and Prayer Requests
Monday
Convalescing Family: Went with Maxine and Walt to visit my sister, Claudia and hubby Bud, in North Georgia today. She's recovering from a broken femur and doing well. What a beautiful drive!! Here she is clipping basil from her garden. Claude, I love you and am grateful you're my big sis and friend.
Tuesday
Up at 5am to make my one solo trip trout fishing on the Oconoluftee River in Cherokee, about my fav place in the world. Why fav? check this out
Oh, not to confuse you...I was NOT kayaking...but angling...
How did I do?
Well, I'm proud to say that it very possibly was record-setting. Herewith.....
Folks, this may be the world's smallest native trout caught on hook and line. I am not making this up...this is NOT photoshop!
Bottom-line, (all pun intended) it was not the best day I've ever had. Seems like I could hook 'em but most of the best ones got off. Missed one that was easily 18"..broke my pore heart.
Just so you know, this was the result of our last trip up here in December.
Wednesday 6/20
As I've mentioned to many of you, one of the main reasons for making efforts to establish some level of ministry here, via Hope for the Carolinas, is the need to be closer to aging family. The trip to the ER with Walt on Friday underscored that.
Today is the 92nd birthday of Margaret Dillard, a very special lady in the Sawyer family whom I've know since forever. Her hearing is gone and eyesight weakening and I was able to drop by with a flower, balloon, kisses and a few minutes of catching up. Took her to the hairdresser and we have a date on Monday for lunch and a visit to see baby Lucas.
Check this out....the first home I ever lived in (1950 - 56)
The Times, They are a 'changin' - As I drove by, I saw trucks outside and the door open. Seems there's major renovations taking place, even adding a second floor. Next time you see me, ask me to tell you Maxine's favorite story about what I did as an 18 month-old in that house.
Oh, see the yellowish building in the background on the right? It used to be Deitz Hardware for 70 years...(before Lowes, Home Depot, ACE took care of mom and pop stores like that)
Anyway, guess what it is now in this little mountain community that's now being overrun by "furriners"?
A MASSAGE ROOM !!!!
PRAYER REQUEST
Tomorrow (Thursday) I meet with the Program Director of a maximum security male correctional center near here. I'm eager to hear his take on the needs of the inmates there, as well as to share with him the possibilities of helping connect children to fathers via "Hope for Families of Inmates". See my first blog entry re: ministry possibilities here.
Then, Friday, I'll sit down with the main men's facility here in Asheville to go over the same scenario. Plus, I'll meet with my buddy from here who's offered help in organizing a church and volunteers for possible "bonding visits" into the prisons.
I really believe by Friday afternoon, we'll have a pretty good idea of where this is all headed.
PRAY that I'll listen carefully and be able to clearly communicate a vision of Hope for Families of Inmates. And, that Hope for Miami/The Carolinas' "shalom approach" will be received here among those who may become new kingdom partners.
Lord, make us all sensitive to Your leading, in Jesus' name.
Fri, Sat & Sun, June 15,16,17
Friday 6/15 - Spent the earlier part of the day with David, Claire and the baby..
Then, in the afternoon, I got a call from my mom to say that her hubby, Walt, was feeling ill and needed to get to the ER at Park Ridge Hospital near their place.
We got him checked in and were concerned as he was experiencing nausea, dizziness, high blood pressure, chills and, eventually, a temperature of 101!
It was determined that he was suffering from a urinary tract infection. After IVs and some meds, he was his feisty self, joking with nurses and ready to go home.
Mom mentioned several times how thankful she was that I was close by to be there for them...
THIS reminded me of why the efforts being made to come up here with our presence and, hopefully, ministry are worthwhile.
Thank you, Jesus, for raising this man up again.
Saturday 6/16
Great Grandma Maxine (Rick's mom) with Lukie...
Biggest news today was the arrival of David's parents from LA. Emil and Gordana Tamburovic drove across the country to see their first grand baby and are they ever great folks! Feels like we've known them all our lives.
Thanks, Lord, for this beautiful new covenant child and for a loving family to, we pray, bring him up in the nurture and admonition of God.
Pray for David and Claire as they continue to adjust to Lukie..So far, it's been a team effort....and hey, two new players (David's folks) are in town!
Sunday 6/17
It was a wonderful Father's Day, being with Walt (dad of 6) Emil (2) and David
(brand-new paw)
Great Grand Paw Walt with The Man
Great Dad's Day lunch at Crescent View Retirement Center where Rick's mom, Maxine and hubby Walt stay. These folks know how to live!!
I'm thankful for the Dad who I had (with Jesus since 05) for Walt, Emil, David both my uncles and the men I know who love God, their wives and families.
Lucas Mihaijlo Tamburovic, b. 6/9/12, 6lb.13 oz.
Thursday 6/13
I arrived in Asheville Wednesday (yesterday), after all the birthing action had taken place.
Taking turns bunking in with Uncle Ray and Aunt Carolyn (photos to follow)
and Maxine (Rick's mom) and Walter Nelson.
Here's what I see so far...
One little tiny being can fully occupy three adults 24/7. (Seems I remember something like that) They even let me hold him some.
Mom (Claire) has shown great patience (7 days in the hospital, trials of nursing) Dad (David) is already an All-pro father with less than a week's experience with wipin', burpin', feedin'. Daddie's got game. Props to Melimaw
(Claire's mom) for yeowoman work during all this.
On the "ministry front".....
*
I'm up here to begin the launch of Hope for the Carolinas.
What's that all about, you ask?
1 - I have aging parents and other relatives with challenging health issues whom we need to be attentive to as they become more frail. See Friday's blog for evidence. We're not thinking about abandoning S FL at all. We've never been more optimistic about Hope for Miami, but we need to be flexible and able to take care of those we love.
2 - For the past two years, I've been in contact with various sectors of the Asheville community inquiring about "service gaps" that exist here and throughout Western North Carolina (WNC). What I heard was:
a. Nothing much is being done in the areas of "positive youth development".
b. A growing Latino population is little-understood and under resourced.
c. The faith-community is not engaged in the needs of those around them and needs to be challenged, equipped and trained to bring "Shalom to WNC".
d. Current "capacity-building" is minimal among grassroots groups.
Long-term plans would be to possibly provide some or all of these services up here, certainly something that would take time, planning and effort.
In the short-run, "Hope for Family of Inmates?"
In talking with many of you, it seems doable to get one bonding visit started at one correctional center in a partnership with one church and one group of volunteers.
MY GOAL for the next two weeks....
1 - Follow up with wardens of three different correctional centers to cast the vision of bonding visits into their facilities. If we get some "buy-in", it could get interesting.
2- Meet with friends and those they know who have shown real interest in the issue of children of inmates to discuss engaging one church, some volunteers, a couple of vans and connecting them to the centers.
And then....if all of this were to fall into place, the next step would be bringing staff up here for more discussion with correctional center leadership, training of volunteers, identification of inmates and their children and other tasks.
First meeting with folks began today, Thursday 6/14.
Met with 15 individuals at Women at Risk to discuss what's happening in the Asheville area around the issue of children of inmates. The group was assembled by Melissa Radcliffe of Our Children's Place. (She was with us at the COI Symposium in April)
Here's what I learned.....
1 - As far as the issue of children of inmates on a state-wide level, no one is paying attention to these kids. No one tracks them, there is ZERO data..who they are, where they are, needs, etc. In short, kids of inmates are on no one's radar. Lots of interest in inmates, reentry, out-reach into the prisons, but little or no focus on children or families impacted by crime. The effort to gather data is just beginning.
2 - There is very little communication and awareness of the needs of the kids among state agencies and other entities.
3 - The need for making better use of technology to accomplish tasks.
4 - In tackling the work of reaching the children and their families, it might be best to work "regionally" (ie. Western NC, Asheville as "center", Central, Charlotte, and other major cities and Eastern NC, Raleigh, Durham, and east to the coast.
In terms of the situation in Asheville, we were told that...
"Community Resource Councils"(CRCs) exist for each of the three Centers and are designed to supply resources and support for Center staff and inmates.
1 - The Swannanoa Women's Correctional Center is easily the most "accessible" of the three Centers in Asheville (the other two are men's) The local CRC has, for years, reached out to Center staff and inmates. "Faith groups" have been particularly involved.
2 - There are other local entities that offer services and support for youth and kids that could play a role in weaving a "Shalom fabric" for Families of Inmates purposes. As I get out and ask questions the next two weeks, I hope to have more info and insight.
PLEASE PRAY
1 - For discussions with correctional center leaders, that I would listen effectively to the needs that are expressed (in spite of having an undeniable agenda!) and show a servant heart. It is key that we develop solid relationships with the centers from the jump.
2 - For time with those who have expressed interest in what Hope for Miami is all about and who are willing to talk about launching out-reach to children with incarcerated parents. There are folks here who are well networked, have a heart to serve God and others and who I will urge to "own" this new potential initiative as theirs.
*
PS, Give me your feedback on this initial effort at a Hope for the Carolinas logo. You like the colors? Remember, we're not in Miami!
