Conversation between Brothers

Once or twice a week, I exchange emails with a friend of mine currently serving an 8 year sentence in Federal prison. His name is John. He won't mind me telling you this because also via email, I post his blog for him where he gives many details about his experience. You can see that at thevoicefrominside.blogspot.com.

Here is a recent exchange between the two of us that may bless you...

ASON,

Today, I spoke with an older guy over dinner. We talked about his time with the NAACP. He grew up in Chicago, actually in the projects and he was raised in the arms of the NAACP. We had a very good conversation and I realize that in my life of growing up in Brooklyn, NY, the NAACP had already lost it's main focus. Yes, I grew up in a middle class neighborhood which was far from the project life, but what this guy told me blew me away.

His mom was very active. She attended all the meetings and took part in every community outreach possible. The things they did is right along the line of what I've always felt the need to do. The watched kids leaving school and those that didn't look well kept would be approached. They'd take the kid(s) home and then ask the parents if they needed any type of assistance (a ride, clothes, or food). They'd do voting drives to gather new voters. They'd stop by the homes of the old and needy to do chores that were left undone. They'd also give rides to people who needed to go to the doctor or to court. They did a lot and I wish you could have seen his eyes light up as he told me the stories. That was the best part.

In any case, I'm still doing research and I'll be sending of my money to join next week. My only shortage now is filling out the membership application. I've tried to call the NAACP all day and there has not been any answer. I'll continue to try next week, so wish me luck and pray for me. Maybe with my level of energy, my committment to success, and my ingenuity, I can bring a spark back to the NAACP. Never doubt me because I've changed every environment I've ever touched.

I just wanted to write something tonight before I crashed.

JKW

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Hey John,

That was moving to hear about the NAACP in days past. I've been lamenting our society in general and particularly our Christian family. Doing bible studies can sometimes be discouraging when I see the disparity between how we are today and how GOD intended for us to be.

That is powerful, the community you described there. Pre-crack era I presume. Young boys had a reason to show respect to elders, pastors, and community leaders. Even the town street walkers and number runners had respect for GOD and His people, thus the community, though poor, was strong. I say poor but that is not even true. There were many business owners, land owners, and professionals of all sorts. They just had limited access to white clientele which we somehow viewed as still being inferior.

Drugs, movies (particularly Scarface), and music are 3 powerful agents the devil used to tear that world down. The church, similar to the NAACP has gone off course in many ways and I'm not sure the exact way to get back on track other than pray and continue in GOD's word.

I take courage in GOD's capacity to make things new. Not to try and "patch up" or "fix" but to altogether create anew where there has been destruction. Where there is no more form and a void, He can begin a new work. There's where my hope is.

David did not pray for his sinful heart to be fixed or repaired, but rather "create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me. Wash me with hissup, and I'll be white as snow."

My Prayer: Create us new today Father. Let the old things pass away and all things become new. A new way of thinking, a new prayer life, a new passion to study, a new sphere of influence, a new dimension of connection with our fellow man, a new power to triumph over the devil whom YOU have already defeated, a new vision that YOU will bring to pass, a new love for YOU, a new joy that only YOU can give us, a new blessing that will cause men who witness it to glorify YOU. Amen.

Bless you John,

ASON

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To Contact John:


John Wannamaker, #33616-177, PO Box 7000, Texarkana, Texas 75505, or e-mail me at john@bigsonny.com