are working at Camp Joy, a restoration center for men and women addicted to
drugs and involved in gangs. This is not rehab; rehab tries to take the bad
away; restoration does so AND brings in life to replace. It is an impossible
struggle to try to describe what it is like to fellowship with these men
(Michael and I spend time with the men and our women spend time with the
ladies).
We have heard about killings, no gruesome detail spared. We
have heard about gang life, why people get in and the dynamics between members
– and the dangers of getting out. There are some ex-assassins at Camp Joy and
some high-ranking members of both street and prison gangs. They are hardcore
criminals. Ex-criminals.
Today, one of the residents told us about a favorite way to
stab a man. We heard yesterday about how this man walked up to a senior who was
picking on minorities, during his freshmen year in high school, and stabbed the
kid four times in the neck. Michael and I, neither of whom have either taken or
given a punch to the face, are in constant awe of these men and their stories.
Some men are so hurt by their pasts that they refuse to say much at all. These
are men guilty of rape, murder, theft, and every other form of destruction.
And they are beautiful. One of the guys is an extremely
talented artist. One is a hair stylists. One is a successful architect. They
are amazingly powerful and gifted humans. They are funny and genuine and
desperate for more. The program is on a volunteer basis. These are guys who
have had enough and want something more. Restoration.
Our days are spent in two “devotions” times, where we
worship with music and have a teaching; sitting in on their drug/communication/life-skills
classes; and talk and play with them during free time. They also have Bible
Study once a day. The men are so hungry for spiritual knowledge and overjoyed
at the grace granted them.
One of my favorites, G, was a top guy in his gang and toward
the VERY top of the prison gang when he served time (which means he probably
killed a few guards and maybe a warden). He came to the center, on his mother’s
pushing, last Friday, accepted Christ on Sunday, and preaches with an apostle’s
fervor just a week after he was roaming the streets on the top level of a
notoriously dangerous gang in Cape Town. I had a long conversation with G on
our second day and was able to encourage him and be encouraged by him as we
prayed and talked together.
Another one I have connected with is C, he is a famous
graffiti artist in South Africa. He is making drawings for us and they are
incredible. He is the one who tells us the most unabashed details of his former
life. He confesses to beating his dad, stealing from children, forcing
youngsters to kill, and killing himself for the right price. He is probably the
most talented artist I have ever known in person. And he is starving for
something more, desperate for purpose and meaning to change and define him.
Today, I talked for nearly two hours with C2, a fellow
writer. He is searching for the hope of a new life. Worried about community and
strength on the outside, we had a great conversation about the Kingdom of God
and the challenges/celebrations of serving something other than ourselves.
The center is not a particularly safe place. For example,
the pool sticks were broken during a recent fight. On our first day at the
camp, the men were switching rooms because of violence in a room the night
before. These guys have a past and a pattern that does not want to let them go.
On our second day, a new woman came in to the center and was detoxing from
heroin. Today, Friday, you could palpably feel the tension as the guys stirred
and struggled on the evening that most reminds them of the superficial party
they used to live. I don’t exactly feel safe but I don’t exactly feel in danger
either.
The mornings are the best. During our “devotions” times, we
sing and dance. Many of these guys are infectiously passionate about Christ.
Many others are not at all convinced. They clap their hands, they sing loud,
and they dance. Boy do they dance. It is such a surreal experience to dance and
sing, worship and praise with these men. They are eternally wonderful. They are
criminals and they are children of God. What our society sees as contradictory,
we get to see as a wonderful picture of the Kingdom of God. We forget that the
Bible was written by former criminals. These men are changing my life. I feel
like God is using me and speaking in the situation I am in more than I ever
have on the race. I love every minute of being with these guys. I see Christ in
them and I feel as though they pull the Christ out of me in ways I never
imagined.
This month, Jesus has invited me to dance with gangsters.
