Today we drove from Elkhorn, WI to Irma, WI and did two programs at Lincoln Hills School. It is a correctional facility for boys ages 12-20. The guys are in there for everything from stealing cars to murder. We didn't really know what to expect going in and were a little intimidated by the huge barbed wire fences that lined the area. Mitch, the pastor there, met us at the gate and showed us around a little bit. We did two programs for two different groups of guys and had dinner with pastor Mitch in between. He also showed us the rooms that the boys are kept in and we learned about many of the programs that they have there. It's good to see that they have programs to get them back on their feet, to try and make it so they don't end up in trouble again. The boys that came to our programs were great, especially the second group. They really got into it and even had us do one of our songs a second time. Hearing about Mitch's ministry was really exciting, listening to stories about how some kids really wanted to turn their lives around. I like that they aim to change these kids lives instead of just locking them away and forgetting about them, when they still have so much of their lives left to live. This experience was nothing like I have ever done before. A lot of the boys came up afterward and they were so appreciative of us for coming and worshiping with them.
Tonight we are in Wausau, WI staying in a youth house for tonight and tomorrow is our day off. The youth house is amazing and we have it all to ourselves tonight. (see the picture of the basement above) Right now we are watching Edward Scissorhands on a big projector. It should be a fun and relaxing day off tomorrow. I am excited to sleep in!
