BY DAWN REED

It was the first time we had been to the jail since COVID. Two long years. Though we had prayed for them often, seeing the women face to face was what we had longed for.

As we prepped for our first Bible study in 24 months, on Easter, it was easy to overthink it. Because of visitation, we had to meet at seven in the morning. Would they even come out that early? Would it be chaotic? Tamping down distracting thoughts, we pressed on. This was the open door we had prayed for. We would surely march through it.

At seven sharp, girls trickled in from their cells, sitting on hard plastic chairs, some on stacks of pop crates. These women were at an all-time low, one or two still in active addiction. If anyone needed to hear the Good News it was them.