Behind prison walls. 
Few people want to be there.  Yet there are some that go willingly, giving time, money, and energy to share the message of Hope and Salvation.  Once you go in, you want to go back again and again.  To see a life changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ is contagious.  High fences and razor wire cannot keep the work of the Holy Spirit out.  He goes before us, stays with us, works through us, and, long after we’re gone, continues to fill inmates’ lives with the Peace and Hope that only Christ
can bring.  God is at work – behind prison walls. 
 
Torres Unit, Hondo, Texas, September 22, 2012.  The Texas sun was shining and it promised to be a warm day.  Inside the gymnasium, approximately 40 inmates gathered in anticipation of something that had never happened before.  Their children were being brought in, behind prison walls, to spend the day with them.  The inmates had worked hard for this day.  Their conduct had been stellar, they had studied, they had been counseled, and they were seeing firsthand the fruits of their labor. 
What was about to happen was a privilege not many inmates get to experience.  In speaking with many of them, they were scared to death.  It had been years since some of them had laid eyes on their children.  Brought about through the pain of
her own broken relationship with her father, Scottie Barnes of Forgiven Ministry works to see men and women that are in prison have a restored relationship with their children, and ultimately a personal relationship with God through Jesus
Christ.  Only the hand of God can bring it about!
 
The male prisoners lined up on one side of the prison yard.  Their children were escorted in with mentors and lined up on the other side of the yard.  As one of our team members called out the name of a prisoner, that prisoner and his children ran to each other, embraced and shouted with joy, all to the cheers of 150+ volunteers that had come to minister on this day.  Not a dry eye could be found.  What was happening here was a miracle – over 18 years in the making.  It couldn’t be done many had said.  And yet there were a few that said it could be.  They had prayed that the doors would be opened behind prison walls in
Hondo, TX.
 
Barracks surround this prison yard.  Inmates not in the program could see what was taking place.  This same yard where physical and verbal altercations had taken place, where blood had been shed between gang members, was now an arena of joy and celebration.  Something greater was happening.  Emotional and spiritual barriers were coming down.  Lives
were being touched and changed from the inside out.
 
As platform guests for Forgiven Ministry, Dribble for Destiny was privileged to perform and share with these inmates and
children.  For two hours we had the opportunity to share about a Heavenly Father that loves us and cares for us and
has a specific plan for our lives.  Our being there was a chance to tell them that it is halftime – time to  make adjustments.  Fix the game plan.  What didn’t work in the first half must be corrected so that the same mistakes are not repeated. Whether or not they were looking at parole next week, next month, next year, or never, God has a plan for their lives and they can be set free, even behind prison walls.  Because of the generosity of some of our supporters, we were able to give each of the children an official Olympic pin from the 2012 Olympics as a reminder of their day with dad as well as a reminder that God has a special plan for their lives.  Thank you to those of you that give so that we can go!
 
Leaving the prison we headed over to do a program for the caretakers – those that care for the children of the inmates while dad is in prison.  How sweet to hear testimonies of the mothers, grandparents, aunts, and sisters about how God is
working in their lives because of what they are experiencing.  So many times we go to be an encouragement and come away being so much more encouraged than we dreamed.  These are warriors that are working hard so that their children’s children do not repeat the same mistakes.
 
Sunday, September 23, 2012, Torres Unit Chapel, Hondo, Texas.  Scottie shared for  45 minutes about her father who was imprisoned and died while there. Dressed in his prison uniform and holding two coins not amounting to more than 25 cents, his body was shipped home in a wooden box.   God used that story to change lives that morning.  After the service Scottie asked to please speak with the harder criminals, the ones not allowed to go to the chapel service.  There was little time left and the officials said it might not be possible.  She knew in her heart that she had to speak to these men.  Granted permission, she shared for about ten minutes.  Once again lives were changed. The men stood as she spoke, not wanting to sit down.  When Scottie asked the guard why they wouldn’t sit, he responded that they had great respect for her.   Standing meant that they honored her.  One prisoner, a gang leader, asked if he could speak to her at the close of the service.  As they visited, he gave his heart to Christ.  He was changed.  He went back to his dorm crying and wanted to share the news that he had been redeemed.  Other inmates in his dorm began to weep as he shared what he had experienced.  And it happened behind prison walls.
 
Last week as we drove from South Carolina to San Antonio we knew the blessings would come.  But the magnitude of that blessing was far greater than we ever imagined.  Going through New Orleans we received a phone call from Tully Blanchard,
one of the original Four Horsemen.  We have worked with Tully in prisons all over the southeast for years.  What we didn’t know was that he was now living in San Antonio.  He was calling to see if Sherri could golf in a fund raiser on
Monday.  Sherri asked him, “Tully, do you know where I am heading right now?”   He had no idea we were heading to San  Antonio!  The tournament was held by Cornerstone Church to raise funds for their Christian school.   Pastor John Hagee and his church, one of San Antonio’s largest, have a heart for missions and long to see lives changed.  As a prelude to going into prisons, we always listen to his sermon on the Soul Winner’s Crown.  Scottie Barnes has tried for years to meet Pastor Hagee, knowing that he had a heart for inmates, but had no connection.  After the tournament on Monday, Sherri was personally introduced to him  and shared with him about Scottie’s passion for prisoners and their families.  He told her to ask  Scottie to come to the church, go to the security personnel, and they would personally escort her to his office.  
  
God’s plan is big. It’s bigger than we can imagine.  And His plan is about Him.  The beauty in that is that He uses us to fulfill that plan!  He orchestrates peoples’ lives, He longs to bless us.  We are His passion, His heartbeat.  What happens when we follow His lead and go where He sends us is beyond  what our tiny minds can fathom or dream.  Whether it is in a small church, on international soil, in communist countries, in a mega church, or a workplace, God is at work.  He uses our unique gifts and talents to bring people to Him.  He is light in dark places.  And He longs to restore broken lives to the purpose He has planned.  How humbling to be used.  Even behind prison walls.

The Lord saw the potential in Saul as he went around the region persecuting Christians.  If only he could get Saul working for the Kingdom!  He knew it would
take more than the average witness to get through to this guy!  Blinding Saul for three days as he walked on the road to Damascus and then sending someone to speak to him might get his attention!  A similar experience occurred during Dribble for Destiny’s recent trip to the Olympics in London, England.
 
During the past four summer games, tickets for events could be bought on the street for most venues.  London was different.  Online purchasing was the only way tickets could be bought.  Most events were sold out prior to the games due to small venues and London being a centrally located country where more tourists could travel. Our team of four decided to take advantage of the free events – men’s triathlon, men’s marathon, women’s swim marathon, etc., and we were able to be on the front lines to watch!

Completing our assigned itinerary with More than Gold which included programs at All Soul’s Church, City Gateway, and
Westminster Abbey, we had one day left at the Olympic Games.  It was a beautiful day and we decided to take the train to visit the USA House.  While shopping and looking at photographs of the games, a lady approached us and asked if we would be
interested in tickets to the women’s Gold Medal basketball game. For sure I thought she meant equestrian or table tennis. 
Certainly she did not have tickets to THE game we wanted to see!  I asked her to clarify…do you mean the Gold Medal women’s BASKETBALL game?  Tonight? She had been at home in London the night before and had decided to try one more time for tickets to Gold Medal Volleyball and Gold Medal Basketball games.  As it turned out, she got both, so she decided to go to the volleyball  game and try to sell the basketball tickets.  After a race to the ATM, she drove us in her little red Mini Cooper to North Greenwich Arena where we joined throngs of other people ready to watch USA vs. France!
 
The game was incredible!  Our seats were 12 rows up with Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul just a few rows below us. USA won the Gold and the medal ceremony brought tears to our eyes as the Star Spangled Banner was played and Old Glory was raised!  Watching  the victory lap by our USA women basketball players, we had the opportunity to touch a gold medal and congratulate our team!
 
As we made our way to the train platform, we noticed that everyone was getting in taxi lines and no one was going to the
trains.  After talking to a bobby, he told us that due to the London Riots in 2011, all underground activity stopped running at midnight to cut down on the risk of gang activity.  Our lodging was 30 minutes by train outside of the city.  He told us to
hit a pub and come back at 5:30 a.m. for the first train out.  Or, we could take a taxi.  
  
We knew our next day would be busy with packing and getting ready for an early departure out of London on  Monday.  There was no way we could sleep in a train station or stay up all night. Lisa headed out to find a cab, finding out that the rates were anywhere from £85 to £120.  Doing the math, we knew that was between $130-$200. By now it was 2:45 a.m.  Finally a young cab driver said he would take us for £65 and we were on our way, thinking we would have a quiet ride and recover from the stress of wondering how we were going to make it back to our site.  In other words, we were not in a mood at this time to chat.
 
The Lord had other plans…our driver, Andy, began to ask questions. Who were we?  Why were we in London?  Did we like the city?  As we made small talk, the realization sank in that this was not going to be an ordinary cab ride!  This  appointment was scheduled on God’s calendar a long, long time ago!  As we told him we used basketball as a way to share Christian
testimony, he began telling us that he had a great fear of dying and would lie awake at night trembling at the thought of going to hell.  He shared that he had done horrible things that he could not tell anyone. The hairs on my arms were
standing on end – was this guy going to take us home or harm us?  Or was he really sincere?  He continued on saying that his friends and family all thought he was a really nice guy, but that in reality, they had no idea how bad he was or what he was capable of doing.  The Lord began to speak in and through me as I realized Andy was crying out for help. Yielding to the Spirit,
answers began to come out of my mouth – answers that related to the questions he had of his Muslim faith, who Jesus really is, why is Christianity relevant, the Bible, grace, the free gift of salvation.  When I took a break, Lisa picked up.  Our forty minute cab ride was used to witness to this young man and to show him that regardless of what he has done or who he is, Christ died for him and had provided all he needs to live eternally with him!  All he needed to do was accept it.  The void he felt in his life was put there by his Creator!
 
At 3:30 a.m. we arrived back at our destination.  We asked Andy if he would like a Bible, and would he agree to read it.  He eagerly accepted that invitation and we got him started in the book of John.  He was currently on his 21st day of driving during the Olympics.  I told him that he had an incredible work ethic and the Lord really wanted a hard worker like him working for the
Kingdom!
 
No doubt, God had us miss that train.  No doubt, God had us in that cab.  No doubt, God was tugging on Andy’s heart.  And no doubt, we weren’t at that Gold Medal game for us.  We were at that game for a much higher purpose.  It isn’t about us.  It is about God trusting us with HIS mission and with HIS message.  His calendar is set.  He wants to use you to fulfill His plans.  Have faith and let Him lead!  You just may get that Gold Medal Ticket!

Dear Sherri, Lisa, and all those associated with Dribble 4 Destiny,

I would like to sincerely thank you for the scholarship, all of your coaching over the past 12 years, and your guidance and mentorship as friends.  The organization has truly helped me in so many ways.  Obviously you have helped me on the court, from summer camps, to training sessions, to YBOA games.  The coaches are some of the best I've had and I'm pretty sure Sherri can do some tricks that the Harlem Globetrotters can't.  I will never forget what you have taught me.

On the court skills are great, but that doesn't even begin to cover why Dribble 4 Destiny holds a special place in my life.  What sets the organization apart from any other is its eagerness to teach off the court skills as well.  The ultimate mission is not to produce Division I college athletes.  It's to teach kids that basketball is a privilege, not a right.  It's about something greater than any one of us.  It's about showing kids how to embrace their God-given destinies.  That mission is at the heart of why I am so thankful for Dribble 4 Destiny.  I am so humbled and blessed to have been a part of an organization that teaches that there is something much more than gold, and for that I thank you.

~Liz Moore

Dear Sherri and Lisa,

Enclosed please find a small donation to Dribble for Destiny.

Thanks for all you and your coaches do to alter the destinies of young people in an environment built on Christian faith and
principles.

As I watch our children grow and develop, I've noticed as they mature and develop independence that they respond to and are influenced quite often by non-parental role models.  Your program provides the perfect  influence at this time in their lives.  For example, at the end of practice the other night, one of your coaches assembled the team in the middle of the court
and handed out a Bible verse to each player.  The verse was about respect, and the coach explained to the players the meaning of the verse in the context of basketball.  It was not a long talk or a sermon but just a short and meaningful
point.  You could see in the eyes of each of the players that they understood the Biblical point and how it applied directly to their lives.  Just part of the process of helping these young people grow closer to Christ one step or perhaps one dribble at a time.

Go Crusaders!

Sincerely,

James I. Warren, III

Dribble for Destiny's 5th Annual Carolina Crusader Classic is now history and once again, we are
thankful to all who made it possible. 

Four facilities, six gymnasiums, 37 teams from three states, approximately 550 athletes, 80 coaches, exciting
victories, disappointing losses, and a host of fans.

To you parents who stepped up to the plate to volunteer, to make phone calls, and help do some of the grunt work that goes on behind the scenes, we are extremely grateful.  While the main reason behind this tournament is to raise funds for the Carolina Crusader Club Teams, it is important to see from a different perspective the lives that are touched and the differences that are made in young and old alike.


Friday 6:30 p.m. -  April 3, 2009 - Dribble for Destiny Gymnasium...  A gentleman walked up to me and asked if I remembered him.  I regretfully said I didn't and was a bit embarrassed as I do try hard to remember names and faces. 
He continued on, saying that he saw me in Watkins, and yet a blank was still drawn.  When, what, or where was Watkins?!  After apologizing to him, he said, "I saw you and Sherri perform last week-end in the prison yard in Watkins and heard your message!  I'm a free man now and am here to watch my grandson play ball."  We talked about the message of hope and how he was a free man in Christ.  A life touched, a difference made. 

Saturday 7:00 a.m. - April 4, 2009 - 1800 E. North Street...  A taxi cab pulled up into the church parking lot and
a young kid climbed out of the back, pulled out a wallet, and handed the driver some cash.  As he began walking toward the gym, I saw one of our 13U boys in his Carolina Crusader uniform.  How badly did he want to belong to something?  I cannot even remember the last time I had to call a taxi, and here was a young kid, up before dawn, getting a taxi, and arriving at the gym to meet his coach so he could get to his first game.  No parent to get him there, but the inner drive to be a part of something...to belong.

There are surely more stories, but these are a couple that are close to my heart as I reflect and put into perspective what Dribble for Destiny and the Carolina Crusader Club are really all about.  More than anything else, we want touch people's lives, make a difference, and challenge our athletes to see things through a different perspective - to look outside of ourselves to a world in need of something bigger than we are.  To live a life that is altered toward something good and to then reach out and help alter the life of someone else.