Miracles Sometimes Come As Guitars!
Saturday, October 01, 2005
My daughter and I are teaching the boys at the Juvenile Correctional Facility to play the guitar. They must keep their behavior in check, attend church, attend all classes and they will get to take their guitar home with them when they leave if they are successful in following the guidelines laid out for the class. Our goal is to teach them how to play Christian songs, so they can go home, play for their families and maybe even lead them to the Lord.In the beginning my daughter went to a pawn shop and made a deal with them to buy some Johnson guitars with a gig bag for $99.00 each. So she would pay for half and I would pay for half. The miracle in all this is.... later there was a gentleman who called me from Tennesee saying he had heard about what we were doing and he wanted to contribute. So every year around November he calls me and wants to know how many guitars we need for the year. I give him the amount and he sends usually 10 or 12 Takamine guitars, which arrive right before Christmas.
So on Christmas morning we always go to the facility, we take the guitars and we also give every boy a gift, usually it consists of a bag with socks, hygiene items, candy, sweatshirts, a christian tshirt, paper, pens and envelopes. The boys are normally very depressed and are totally surprised that we come. We play Christmas carols and the songs we sing in church, tell the Christmas story and pray for them. Then it's picture time. We take their pictures by the tree so they can send it home, and then we are off to celebrate with our families. God provides our needs in many different ways, we are no one special, we just want to share with these boys that the Lord is their Creator and He loves them so very much.
The guitar is an instrument that actually is very relaxing to play. I also think it is very therapuetic. You can sit down to play for a few minutes and realize two hours has gone by. It is a positive alternative for the boys who are released, to perhaps continue to play and have a dream fulfulled. I am not sure what God is going to do with it, but I do know He has a plan, He has orchestrated it, so He will finish it. I praise Him for letting us have a small part in His incredible plan for all of our lives. Do any of you play the guitar or another instrument?
posted by Live, Love, Laugh | 2:04 AM
8 Comments:
Oh my, but that is such a wonderful thing that you and your daughter are doing for the Lord! It is very inspiring and I found myself wondering what I could do like that.
I have a guitar that I was taking lessons for a year (several years ago). I had to stop for financial reasons, and then my brother picked it up and started using it for the longest time. I let him use it. This past summer I picked it up again to try to teach myself some Christian songs. I think I'm the type of person who needs the lessons for the accountability factor, and to know that I am doing it right.
Wow, that is just a great ministry that you two are providing. I'm just blown away by it. I think it's also awesome that that man in Tennessee heard about you and donates guitars to the cause (at least that was my understanding...maybe you have to pay for them I don't know). Regardless, the fact that he is willing to help by providing the guitars is excellent.
Well done good and faithful servant! I know it doesn't mean as much coming from me as it would from the Lord, but I just want you to be encouraged to continue doing what you do for Him.
Once again, I am so amazed at the way you pour out every ounce of faith and hope into those boys, even at personal sacrifice. You are truly "walking the walk" and you inspire me to do more of the same. I pray today that God will shower you with blessings unimaginable!
No I don't play any musical intruments :(
Lava was supposed to teach me the guitar when I was there but we simply ran out of time. The other musical intrument I want to learn to play is the classical piano!
I still think it's great what you do for those boys, your ministry is definitely a light at the end of their tunnel. God is good!
Not only do you minister to the boys, you encourage us with your words and your good works. We play various instruments in our home. Lord, give Dana the peace of Your presence.
Shelly,
The guitars are donated to us free, we don't pay a cent for them. God is so wonderful, I am amazed, I also know when He is involved in what we are doing just because of the way he provides.
Jennifer,
When I read your site, I am blessed, amazed and inspired. You are truly a servant.
Msthang,
That is all the more reason you will have to come back to Texas so you can learn to play guitar!!!! yeah!!
Ordinary Christian
Do you play several different instruments? Sounds like you must have a very musical family. Thanks for the prayers, you have really been a blessing in my life.
I wish I could, but unfortunately the only thing musical I can play is the radio.
Amazing how your needs were met. Just what you needed, right when you needed it. Your daily bread.
I took piano lessons as a child, but my sister took guitar lessons. So I learned how to play the guitar from her. As a young adult, I played in the folk group at church. I love that music!
Now I only play for my little nursery school kiddies. But you can guess what the kiddies all want for Christmas. Guitars, of course!
what a great way to bless and motivate the boys - the mna from tennessee is doing a good thing - and so are you.
do you need music books, lesson books, etc? - I am thrilled to read of such goodness -it restores a small part of my faith in humanity.
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