Reconciliation

We arrived at the small minimum security unit last night and set up our equipment in the visitation room. We had a small group in attendance, about 20 inmates, five of which spoke no English. Tony, a bilingual Hispanic inmate, was recruited to translate, which he did skillfully.

After the program, Tony spoke with Glenn and Donna. Tony had been in prison for 23 years and is scheduled to be released in 8 months. He is planning to return home to Brooklyn, NY where he grew up and his family still lives. Tony is now a believer, but expressed anxiety about finding a job, and adjusting to life in the free world after so much time behind bars. Glenn told Tony about Robert, who lives in Brooklyn, and is an ex-offender speaker on our team here in Massachusetts.

Glenn called me over and asked how Tony should contact Robert, and I explained about sending letters to the OSL post office box, and it would be forwarded to Robert. I told him that Robert was also an ex-offender and an ex-gang leader of the Phantom Lords. With a look of surprise on his face, Tony told us that he also had gang involvement in his past - his gang was a rival gang of the Phantom Lords. Then Tony began comparing ages, finding that he and Robert are close in age. Then Tony said, "If he's who I think he is, we tried over and over to kill him."

"Yeah, he tried to kill me alright, and we tried to kill him too.” And then he said, “Of course I forgive him."

Pools of tears welled up in his eyes, "Tell Robert I'm sorry, and ask him to forgive me."

"I will," I said, "but I can tell you with great confidence that he already has. You're brothers now."

"Are you sure it will be OK for me to write to him? What if, just what if, it brings back anger in him?"

"It won't. But if it should, Robert will turn it over to Jesus, and His love overcomes all the hatred of the Devil."

We could hardly wait to get back to the hotel and find Robert. We told Robert about Tony – the name of his rival gang, and his street name, and his desire for forgiveness. Yes, Robert remembered the gang, and he remembered Tony. "Yeah, he tried to kill me alright, and we tried to kill him too.” And then he said, “Of course I forgive him. I’ll write him a letter and tell him."

 

I’ll be waiting to hear how God uses this reconciliation to tell others of His love and to enrich the lives of both Tony and Robert.