2 more days

well tonight was a memory in itself that I think I will remember for a long time, so i think I must write out its details before I forget.
Crossgates goes out to the Rankin County Prison about 2 times a month to lead an hour long service for the prisoners. I have never been until now. the band and orchestra were scheduled to go play so we headed out this afternoon to set up and went back with everyone tonight. basically after getting through the front gate we drove to a meeting hall, where we sign in, leaving our wallets, keys, and cell phones behind, and the doors lock behind us. we had a full band set up, and there was a group of prisoners that had a black gospel sounding band that played before the rest of the prisoners came in, so I got to jam with them, and meet them. so much fun. they were probably better musicians than we were, singing and everything.
Then we began leading the service. leading some congregational songs with some sit down orchesetra tunes mixed in between. to see about 200 prisoners in the room with you, who live behind bars, worshipping with all there heart. i wont forget how excited some of them were. thankfully praising the Lord and crying out to him, and doing that all to the beat of the music. an incredible moment. Scott Ross our missions pastor was there and he got up to give an opportunity for people to be prayed and ministered to. he asked who had a need that needed to be prayed for and about 75% of the room raised their hands. we probably only had like 10 other people with us who were not playing music at the time. and these prisoners began to line up. so me and pete took off our guitars and went up front to pray with guys. I got to pray with a couple prisoners. and was amazed how the Lord equipped me at those moments to pray for those guys' specific needs. As the ministry time started closing down, my eye caught a guy about 10 feet away that was walking up the aisle and around a group of people. I think I was just looking at him because I felt like he was making his way to me for some reason, and he was. I was only catching glimpses of his face through the crowd, but when he came around the corner of the group of people, we were face to face. and I knew him.
He stuck out his hand and said I am Robert Terry. tell me your first name I cant quite remember he said.
I was speechless. Seth, i said. I said Robert..I havent seen you in forever. He said that he was in the back and thought that he recognized me. You see I grew up with Robert. really as early as i can remember. I remember him coming out to second baptist during vacation bible school and stuff. we played tball together. went through elementary and middle school together. I think he may have failed a couple of times as we got older, so we were not in the same classes, but we were the same age. when we were 11 and 12 years old we were on the same baseball team together for a couple of summers. I didnt really hang out outside of those things with him because he was pretty bad. into everything, and could pick a fight with a tree. to be honest with you I never knew what happened to him. he just slowly disappeared as I got older. if you would have asked me last week, I wouldnt have even known if he was still alive. I got to pray with him and listen to his story as everyone was beginning to pack up. I wont go into detail about all of that.
Pete looked at me later and said man I am amazed how you can go anywhere and find someone you know or is from Kosciusko. I dont say it pridefully, but he's kinda right how that always happens wherever I go. All roads lead to Kosciusko, and if they dont, they should-thats what amanda always says.
That wasnt a every week thing for robert either. he said that they never do it this way but they came to his cell block and let them sign up to come tonight. And the Lord brought me out here and orchestrated that moment for me and him to meet. we figured out that we had not seen each other since we were about 13. just thinking about playing summer league baseball and fast forward 10 years later-me visiting from a church and him in prison. lot of emotions stirring. hard night to walk away from.