Chapter 6 A window to the future

It was July 2000 and a group was at WATW building. The group was mainly members from Mt. Harmony #2. They were working on the inside framing in windows and doors, stuff like that. I had come home from vacation a few days early to be there. It was nearing the end of the day and I was walking down the hill beside the house. All the sudden it was like someone pushed me down. I fall and slide my foot to one side and I heard a pop. I knew immediately I had broken my leg. This time it was the other leg. This was yet another attempt to stop me from moving forward. I spent the next six weeks in a cast and I could not do anything at the house.

Not much was getting done we were to the place where we needed insulation, windows, siding, sheet rock, and then carpet. I found out about a place in Kentucky called "Appalachian Project". A girl came to volunteer at WATW office who had worked for them. She came into my life right on time and I did not hear much from her after that. I called and found out that we qualified to receive supplies from them. Tommy and I rented a U-Haul trailer and went up to see what we could get. We ended up making two trips there. We got several windows, toilets,sinks, fixtures, and enough insulation to insulate the entire house. Later the men from Teen Challenge Chattanooga came and insulated the most of the house.

One day we had a building committee meeting at the house. We needed around $6000.00 for the siding. Scott and a friend had agreed to put on the siding and we were going to pay him. We didn't have the money to buy the siding. A member of the building committee and her husband had just sold their house. She said she and her husband felt like the Lord wanted them to give the profits from their house to WATW for the siding. She said we would have a check the next week from Athens Federal and we did. It was enough to buy the siding and to pay to have it put on. The strange thing about this is this lady and her husband were not rich. In fact they had two small children and I'm sure they needed the money. God does move in mysterious ways. Not to long after that they divorced. I do not understand this to this day. Sometimes we just don't understand.

Time went on and winter 2001 was beginning. Scott had an automobile accident hauling some drywall to WATW. He already had back issues from a previous work accident. He probably did more than he should have on the project. This accident put him totally out of commission. Scott had been coordinating the project. I had no idea where to go from here. Once again, I felt like a wall had been raised up against getting the house completed.

Tommy suggested I call R.B. Dake. R.B. had retired from Webb Plumbing and Electric. We needed someone to coordinate the project and get the electric & plumbing finished so we could do dry wall. R.B. agreed to help. This was sometime in February 2001. Things started to move again. Electric done, plumbing done (work donated by Bobby Case), doors and windows installed. It was time to hang sheet rock.

Our first banquet was planned for February 2001. Tim Selvage volunteered to cook spaghetti. We had almost 500 people attend the banquet and raised approximately $7000.00. This was enough to hang the sheet rock. God provided once again. Soon after that the sheet rock was hung and it was springtime.

During that time there were days and even weeks when no progress was made. I remember those days as the best days I ever spent with the Lord. I would go up to the house early in the mornings and walk back and forth on the porch. The awesome porch that goes the length of the house. Roy Grimes had volunteered to construct the railing. As I walked on the porch I would pray and sing praises to the Lord. I spent several mornings pleading with the Lord to finish what He had started. I was studying Exodus Precept Ministries during this time. One of my favorite parts of Exodus is when the God is about to deliver the Hebrew people from the bondage of the Egyptians. I imagined the ladies who were going to be in that house to be like the Hebrew people. God was about to deliver them from their bondage. God promised the Hebrew people that as they left Egypt the Egyptians would give them things as they left. In fact they gave them everything they needed to build the tabernacle. As I prayed that day I asked God to compel people to give to WATW everything we needed to build this house just like he compelled the Egyptians to give the Hebrews. I looked in the window on the front porch and I could see walls, couches, carpet, and everything we needed. God showed me it was coming and I was encouraged to keep going. What sweet times I spent on that porch just me and my Lord. I cried out to Him and He answered me. I wonder if one reason things moved so slow during that time was because God was enjoying our time together as much as I did. I look back now and I would love to spend one more morning on that porch praying and seeking God just me and Him. Looking through that window to the future.

Chapter 5 A Door Opens in the Wilderness

It was sometime in 1999, the office was at 104 E. Washington Ave we moved about a block down the street. We had a little money trickling in to pay the rent, phone, utilities, bus fares for ladies going to programs out of the state and a small salary for me. Remember I told you Carrie started working at the hospital and I started working part of the day at WATW. Some days were very lonely. I wondered if anyone knew were were there. I did have some good volunteers to man the office in the mornings and I came in the afternoon. Group meetings were very slim. It seemed like we just could not get many to be consistant. But group meetings was not the vision, the long term residential program was the vision.

One night Carrie and I took a couple of the ladies with us that were attending group and we spoke at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church. This was one of our first times to share about the vision in a Church service. Carrie shared her testimony. She shared how Jesus had changed her life at Teen Challenge at PA and Michigan. I shared how God was leading me to start a home for women in McMinn County with life-controlling problems. The Church was warm and seemed to connect with what we were saying. Pastor Garry King took up an offering for WATW and it was around $500.00. A man came up after the service and committed to meet the offering. We had $1000.00 this was the largest amount of money we had every gotten. Pastor King told me when we got some land his Church would build that house. That impressed me bu I really did not think much of it since I had no idea how we would get land. Besides that I was hoping for a house to be donated that was already built.

The next week I received a call from Kim Bailey a member of the Church. She said she and her husband Scott was very touched by the service and they wanted to talk to me about donating five acres of their property for the house. I had had some people say they wanted to sale me some land but no one had said they wanted to give me some land. Really I was a bit sceptical because no one give away land in Tennessee. We planned a time for me to come to see the land. It was about a week later. I drove up her driveway which was very long and a bit scary. One part of the drive crossed over a pond and it was kind of narrow. My first impression was Lord what is really going on? I knocked on the door and she came out and said we are going to walk up behind the house through the woods to the property. We walked up what looked like a pigs trail in the wilderness to the top of the knob. She said this is it. On top of that knob was five wooded acres with no access at that time. The view was awesome but I was not sure if this was God's direction. She told me to pray about it and let them know.

I came home and told Tommy about he really did not say much. I remember lying in bed that night and talking to the Lord. I said Lord that does not look like what I had imagined at all. It's way out in the country, there is no driveway to the land, and I know nothing about building a house. Don't you think that It would be better to get a house in town. A furnished house would even be better. Surely You don't mean to put that house that far out and surely you don't want me to have to try to get it built. That sound too hard Lord. No answer. I wait. Then a calmness comes over me and I'm sure God is saying that is it. From that moment on I knew that was it. I talked to the other board members and everyone agreed if someone wanted to give us five acres we should take it. So in June of 1999 WATW was deeded five acres at 881 County Road 655, Athens Tennessee. People ask me when they come up to the house how did you find this place. I say I did not find this place it found me. A door opened in the wilderness and I follow God in.

Kim and Scott were very excited about WATW and they did not waste anytime helping us clear ground and all the sudden a dirt driveway was cut up to the property. The drive was straight up. Driving up that drive was was like driving up to heaven in fact someone said to me once. Bulldozers and graders and all kinds of large machinary began to show up to move the dirt and make the way. Each step of the construction was a new adventure for me. I remember getting so excited because the McMinn/Meigs Baptist Center agreed to buy a culvert tile to put in the driveway. Tommy and I went to get it. That was one of the first things we hauled up that hill. I thought if I can get the tile paid for I can get the gravel donated, the basement dug, the sceptic dug, the cinder block laid. I draw the plans for the house on a piece of notebook paper as God directed me where each room needed to be. Later a friend draw it out of drafting paper to scale. Each time something was needed it was donated or God provided the money to purchase. In January, we were laying block. Pastor Garry King was good to his word, he laid the cinder block with help from me, Tommy, my boys, my parents, friends of the ministry,and several members is his church. Then there it was a basement of block. And there it sit. It seemed like there was nothing happening for several months.

It was early spring 2000 and the McMinn/ Meigs Baptist Association had a mission day planned and they asked what could be done for WATW. Before really thinking too much I said you could have a construction crew come out and frame the house. They seemed to like that idea. Of course we did not have the money to buy the materials. We could pay for maybe half of it but you really need to go all the way up to the roof to protect the structure. I had committed to be ready for them not knowing how. I worked really hard fund raising by sending out newsletters, speaking at churches but still did not have the money. One day I went up to the house and sat in one of the block window openings of the basement. My heart was so heavy. I cried out to the Lord. I asked Him what am I suppose to do. You have not sent the money for the materials and I need it next week? I felt the Lord say order the materials and I will pay the bill. This was more training. Training in faith. Before the money was there before I stepped out to do something. This time I was asked to step out before the money was there and trust that God would bring it. I said Lord I sure hope I am hearing you right because that's exactly what I'm going to do. I got in my car put in a Brooklyn Tab. cassette tape that a friend had given me and the first words to the song playing was "did I not show up when the bills were due?" God knew I really needed that confirmation. I drove down to Kim and Scott's house and they were sitting on the front porch. I said Scott could you figure how much materials we need to frame the house and would you order it for me? God just told me He would pay the bill if I ordered the materials. He quickly said yes and the next day he did.

That next week there was a huge group of people at the property framing from the ground up. I remember not knowing which way to turn. Was this really happening? When I let it I would feel the weight of it and it was more that I could take. I had to ask God to take it. That day a lot was accomplished but a lot more was to go before it was under roof. More work days were planned.

I still had another problem, how to pay for the materials God had me order. I got the bill. We had some of the money but not all of it. The bill said if paid within 15 days we would get a 10 percent discount. I looked at the calender counted off 15 days and said Lord You get a 10 percent discount if you pay this bill by this date. It's up to You, do you want the discount or not? You know God got His discount. The money came in to pay the bill in full and get God's discount. In fact God got His discount almost every time. Amazing days of faith building. I began to experience things I had only heard others tell about. Missionaries on the mission fields who needed something and all the sudden there it was. Those things were happening to me. Unbelievable, the door that opened in the wilderness.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. Heb. 11:1-3

Chapter 4 The Revolving Door Opens Another Door

As I continued to spend more time with the ladies and I got to know them better I began to see something that disturbed me. It is like a revolving door at the jail. While in jail many of the ladies would attend Bible Study, get saved, hope for a better way of life, and make promises to themselves and others never to be back. The problem was that she went right back where she came from. Did you know that many times an inmate is released at 12:00 midnight because their sentence is up at 11:59 pm.? And guess who is there to pick them up. The same people who were there when they got arrested.

I had some ladies ask me for help to find somewhere else to go. That's when I started looking and there was not much to find. I began to realize just how hard it is for them. How does someone who has no skills to cope, cope when there is no open door. Well, they go back to what they know. Drugs, bad relationship, and abusive behaviors. Some really wanted to get help. Some really did not want to change. This is when I began to see the difference.

I started to investigate Christian programs for women with what I call life controlling problems. This really intrigued me. One group of homes I found is called Teen Challenge. Teen Challenge was founded by David Wilkerson in the 1950's and there are homes for men, women, and teenagers. There is at least one in every state. When I went to Israel I found out that there is even a Teen Challenge in there. The ones I found for women are in Columbia, Ga, Philadelphia, Pa, Lansing Michigan, Davie Florida, Chattanooga, Tn. I also found a home in Mississippi called Home of Grace.

I started working with the probation office to get our ladies in McMinn County in these homes. We sent several to Home of Grace and some to the other homes. This is when I began to see who was serious about change and who was just wanting out of jail.

I took one lady from the McMinn County Jail to her mother's house in Maryville to get her clothes so she could go to a program in Columbus, Ga. We got to the trailer and I went in with her. Her mother had several dogs and the smell of urine was so strong I thought I would throw up. I told her I would wait outside. She came out carrying a huge suit case filled with what must have been everything she owned. It smelled like the trailer. I drove home that day praying that this was not what God was going to have me do the rest of my life. The next day I took her to the bus station. That was on a Thursday. On Sunday they called me and told me she has left their program. And I never saw or heard from her again. This was a big shock for me. God's training grounds.

I helped another girl get into Teen Challenge Chattanooga. She had only been in the program for a couple of weeks at Christmas time and she asked me to bring her daughter to see her on Christmas Day. I thought that was asking a lot. I was asked to leave my boys and take her three year old child to see her. Was this really what God wanted me to do. It worked out where I could do it after we had opened gifts with my husband's family and everyone said it was okay for me to leave. In fact my parents went with me. She stayed in the program there for about 10 months. She was so close to graduating. I was so proud of her and then I got a call from them telling me she had left. More training.

One lady I sent to Philadelphia, Pa stayed for about six months and left. I sent a girl to Davie, Florida and she stay several months and left. I helped her get in Chattanooga TC and she left there too. Even more training. Someone once told me I had stickablity (not sure if that is a word) Their right. I don't like to give up it's just not in me. Finally, Tammy went to Statesboro, Ga Teen Challenge and graduated the program. Nicki graduated a program in Lancing Michigan that took women that were pregnant. A few ladies graduated the program in Mississippi. One of them I see from time to time and she is doing very well.

As I helped the ladies go to other programs I felt a deep urging that there needed to be a home for ladies here in Athens. I told all the people who came into the jail to minister about this vision. I hoped that one or more of them may feel the same way and start the home themselves. Some people had a few ideas but nothing ever worked out. This was a matter that was on my mind all the time.

Then one day I was driving back to work from lunch and all the sudden I felt like something fell out of the sky and landed right in my belly. Like I had just inhaled something that became a part of my very being. I thought I heard the Lord say "You are going to build that house for women". Oh no, Lord not me. I don't think I can do that. Is there not another way. The thought that it was me never left me after that day. I'm not sure when I submitted to it but I did. Then things began to take off very fast.

In 1997 a prayer group was organized to pray with me about this need. We met weekly. I started talking to Susan Drake a probation officer for McMinn County about what I wanted to do and she had been wanting to do the same thing. We began to start to organize a group and at first it was me, Susan, and Cathy Arnwine one of the ladies who came into the jail to minister. We started to talk to people about how to get this organized. There was a lot of legal things that had to be done. One of the first things that we had to do was come up with a name for the ministry. Sitting in my car in front of the justice center I looked over at Susan and without thinking I said "The Women at the Well Ministries". It had to come straight from God because I had never heard of it before and I really don't think I'm that smart. It was so fitting because it was the story of the woman at the well I told the very first day I taught in the jail. Susan and Cathy like it so it stuck.

So we had a name and now we could apply for a charter with the State of Tennessee. A local law office help us with the paperwork and we sent off the forms. We decided to send out flyer's to all the local churches to tell them what we were doing. It was a nice summer day and I was home working on the flyer's. I had had a hysterectomy three weeks prior to this and had just gotten back from a trip to Florida. I was to be off work another two weeks from my surgery. I was sitting outside folding flyer's and I got up to do something and fell and landed on my ankle and broke it. It was broken in two places and now I was out of commission a little longer.

That was one of many attempts of the devil to stop me but it did not work. I did finish the mail out and sent them out and got a good response. Remember Pop it was around this time that he gave us our first $100.00. We took it and bought a P.O. Box and we received $75.00 from the first mail out. When I think back it was then that I believe things really started to move. That thing that landed in my belly was growing and it was so evident that God was in it there is no other way to explain it. This was June of 1998. I went back to work and on my birthday June 22, 1998, The Women at the Well Ministries received our charter. And then we were really going forward with this, sometimes too fast, sometimes not fast enough.

In October 1998 we formed a board of directors consisting of local people with a heart women with life-controlling problems. One of those board members was Betty Gentry. She and Jackie Lee became my side kicks for the next few years as we went to churches to share this vision with others. Carrie Clemmer Watson had just graduated the Teen Challenge program in Michigan and came back to town. Susan was her probation officer and she told Carrie to get in contact with me. Carrie started going with me to share with churches. I'll share more about Carrie later.

In spring 1999 I was busy almost every day promoting the ministry. I knocked on every door I could think of to get this program started. We opened an office downtown. Carrie worked in the office part-time. We started a support group for ladies who had just gotten out of jail. That was more training. The support group was very difficult to get off the ground. The ladies did not have a way to the meetings and when we went to get them they were not very dependable and it seemed like we were just running around after people all the time. I don't feel like the support groups were very effective. But God just reminded me of Jill who came to the support group who is doing very well. The fact is Jesus works every time.

Carrie was a Registered Nurse before she went to the program and she still has her license by the grace of God. She got a full time job at the hospital and had to quit the WATW job. I remember the day she told me while I was happy for her, I cried and cried because I knew what God wanted me to do. It was never so real as that moment.

After much pray and agony I realize it was time for me to leave my position at the McMinn County Justice Center so I could spend more time on WATW. I loved my job. It was something I enjoyed doing and plus it meant that I would have to give up being over the jail ministry and that had become my passion. It was so hard to pass it on to someone else. I still miss it today. Writing this has made me think about the joy I experience during those first days of jail ministry. It was then that I learned that all things are possible with God.

The day I told the Sheriff I was resigning my heart broke. Of course Jesus was there to mend it back together. When He takes away something, He always has something better to replace it with. I got a part-time job at the Register of Deeds office and I work for WATW part-time. We opened an office downtown. I stepped out of the door at the jail that revolved and into the door at WATW. This was the beginning to something I would have never dreamed could happen the way that it did.

Chapter 3 When the Door Opens Wide Go In It

Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

As time went on there were more and more experiences in the jail ministry. It seemed like God had His hand on that place and He was opening one door after another. I started a weekly schedule for services at the jail. We had many new people who wanted to get involved who had never been involved before. I went every Wednesday night to the ladies service no matter who was there. That's when this Baptist girl got a learning in different denomanations. I loved it. From Non-denomanation, Holiness, Carasmatic, Southern Baptist, Church of Christ and Methodist. All were welcome to have a night as long at Jesus was preached and taught. That was such a growing time for me spiritually. I attended churches that I would have never been exposed to had I not been in the jail ministry.

We had baptism services outside at the jail. A few churches came together and organized the event. I'm not sure how many were baptised, men and women. Someone brought a large metal watering bucket the kind that cows and horses drink out of and it was filled with water. Not hot water either. The water was very cold. Inmate after inmate were dunked in those baptismial waters. It really was a sight. One man I remember who was baptised is now out of jail and I see him often. God did an awesome work in his life. To my knowledge he has not been back in jail since he finished his jail sentence. He thanks me every time he sees me. I really want to thank him. He made it all worth it. I thrills my heart to see him living for the Lord.

One weekend we had a very special retreat for the ladies. A large meal was brough in by volunteers. A banquet table was set and they ate by candle light. Then they were escort to the gem by men dressed in suits. One was my teen age son John. Many of the ladies told me that they had never been treated so kindly in all their lives. Guest speaker were brought in and at the end a wooden cross was brought in and each lady was given a piece of special paper to write on it something they wanted to nail to the cross. I can still hear the sound of the hammer nailing the paper to cross. When all the paper was nailed to the cross. My pastor at the time Mike Bernard light a match to it and the paper went up in one flame and disappeared. That's what Jesus does. He takes those sins and they are gone forever.

At Christmas we had a Christmas party for the children of the inmates and their families at Central Baptist Church. The Total Life Encounters puppet ministry preformed for the children. It was so much fun to see them have a good Christmas.

So much more happened in those four yours of jail ministry. We almost had a person every day of the week come in the jail and mentor with the inmates. I started a Wednesday Bible Study at Lunch time, which continued for serveral years. I found that many of the ladies wanted to study and be challenged. We did all kind of Bible Studies, Precept, Beth Moore, Experiencing God, and the mailbox Bible Club.

The mailbox Bible Club is a booklet that the person reads and does the test at the end. When they have completed it they got a certificate. Those went over very well. I did it with the male and female inmates. There were about 10 different booklets and many of them did them all. I found that they were hungry to learn and loved getting the certificate. One of our ladies was transferred to Blount County Justice Center, Maryville, Tn. She wanted to continue her mailbox Bible club so I mailed them to her and she mail the answers back. Other ladies at Blount wrote me and I began sending them to about twenty or more inmates.

New doors opened for me to go to other jails. I went to Monroe County and Polk County and occasionally Meigs. I started meeting more and more people in jail ministry. It was so exciting to know other people with the same calling as I had.

Some of the people involved wanted to have a revival at the jail. I went to the Sheriff and he agreed to it. It was quite and experience. The men on one side and the women on the other. To be honest I was watching them more than I was listening to the serman. God was so good. He protected everyone and I think it was a good experience for the inmates as well as the Officers. Some of the Officers started to get involved in the jail ministry. Detective Gary Miller and Patrol Officer Phillip Cook were a big help.

Carlos Hammond introduced me to a man called "Pop". Pop is from Georgia. He was in his 60s. Pop had been in the prison system all of his life. I can't possible tell all of his story but it is amazing. He was kept in prison where the death row, the badest of the bad were kept. While in prison he helped plant a boom in a radio and killed a man. Some how he was never convicted of that but the rest of his charges were pretty servere. He was at the lowest of the lows and decided to kill himself. A women felt led of the Lord to go to the jail to talk to someone. She did not know who but she trusted that God would show her. She had never done anything like this before. After being rejected by her Church, pastor and everyone she tried to get to go with her, she went by herself. It took a lot of convincing and finally she was allowed to go in. She went all over that jail talking to men but she did not find the one she came to talk to. She went back to the warden and ask him if she could go down in the hole. That's where the maximum security prisoners were held. He agreed to let her go down there with much hesitation. She came to Pop's cell. She told him that God had sent her to tell him that God loved him. This only made him mad. It seemed like he did not listen to her. She told him she would come back and bring him a Bible. He told her okay he would take it. That night in his cell he began to break. He could not forget the words that women said "God loves you." His plan was to hang himself. He prayed that night and told God If He really loved him he would give his life to him. That moment Pop was changed. A lot more happened after that. He still spent many more years in jail but he was eventually paroled. While waiting for God to release him he started going to Bible Study and serving the Lord in jail. He became very popular with the inmates for a whole new reason, they began to trust him and many came to know Jesus because of Pop's changed life. There was a door that opened wide when that lady went down through it. She could have stayed at home and gave up but she did not stop until she was satisfied she had done what God sent her to do. I'm very thankful for that. Years later Pop came into my life. I had him in the jail many times. Many McMinn County Inmates were saved after hearing his testimony.

One winter day when Pop shared his testimony stands out in my mind. I got ready to go I wore a red turtle neck shirt under a white sweatshirt. I realized the turtle neck had a big hole under the arm but I wore it anyway knowing it would be under my sweat shirt. It was cold in the gem that day. Among some of the lady inmate was a lady I'll call Sissy. Sissy probably did not weight 80 lbs soaking wet. She had abused her body with drugs so badly she was sick all the time. Her heart was weak and she could barely walk sometimes. That day I looked over at Sissy and she was in the back of room shivering and big tears were rolling down her face. Her bare arms were blue from the cold. I went back and asked her if she wanted to go back to her cell. She said no I want to hear what he has to say. I went back to my set and God would not let me get Sissy off my mind. He said to me "You could give Sissy your sweatshirt". I said Lord don't you remember I've got that big whole in my turtle neck. No answer. I took off my sweat shirt and gave it to Sissy. She gladly took it. I was humbled to the 10th degree, which was about how cold it felt like in that room. Sissy did not make any decision that day. Which I was sure she would since God had me strip down to my holie turtle neck.

Only one week later Sissy died in the arms of her fellow inmates at the McMinn County Justice Center. It was on a cold Saturday. Her heart just gave out. I just heard that people don't care as much what you do or say as how you make them feel. I hope Sissy felt warmth coming from me. Later that day I was told by one of the ladies that came to the jail to mentor "Footie Lambert" that Sissy had pray to receive Christ that week. Oh Lord Sissy went through the door. She was finally free. She has a new heart. As for me I had a new respect for what God was doing in me. A deeper love for those He came to die for. He said he did not come to the righteous and there is a good reason,they are none, He came to the sick, the dying, and the sinner.

One other thing about Pop. Pop is married to Toby. When Women at the Well first became an idea or vision Pop believed in it. He and Toby go to lots of prisons and jails sharing Pop's story and the gospel with the inmates. They have a fire for jail ministry. Pop and Toby came to me one day and handed me an envelope with $100.00 in it. He said this is the seed money for that house you feel like God wants you to build. That was the first time anyone had believed in what I was saying God wanted me to do. I had never received money before. That seed money has gone a long way. I'll never meet that women that marched down there to that maximum prison to witness to Pop. Not in this world anyway. But someday she and I will have a lot to talk about. She is as much a part of Women at the Well as I am. If she had not been willing to listen to God, I might not have met Pop. I might not have been so encouraged to go forward if Pop had not given me that seed money. When the door opens wide go in it. Don't hesitate you never know what God is doing. I'm sure she had no idea.

Chapter 2 The Door that Should have never been open

I had been doing jail ministry for a while and it was a nice beautiful evening. As I drove to the jail I enjoyed the nice fresh air. That was the night a door was opened that should have never been open and I went right through it. It was me and Becky, the jail nurse, that night. Becky had a heart to share the gospel with these ladies and she could play the piano. We started the night with some singing after that is when the night began it changed. I'm not sure if it was me or her that made this suggestion but either way we both agreed it would be nice to go outside with the ladies and do our study.

Becky went to the correction officer who was controlling the doors and told him of our plan. He agreed to it and we all walked out into the hall. There is a fenced in area in the back of the jail where the inmates can go outside and get some air. I thought that was where we were going. All the sudden the doors going outside the front of the building opened and Becky led us outside and I headed up the rear of about 10 or so female inmates. I really did not think much of it. Now I wonder what the inmates thought they must have thought we had lost our minds. I know that sounds ridicules but I didn't see the harm at that moment. We sat on the sidewalk right outside the jail. I remember seeing one of the patrol officers driving away from the jail looking at us very strangely.

We read from Psalms 91 that night. "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the All Mighty. I will say to my Lord He is my refuge and my fortress my God whom I trust". It was a sweet fellowship and then all the sudden I felt a strong urgency to gather them up and go back inside the jail. I'm so glad I did. Becky and I herded these ladies up like shepherds leading sheep into safety. I remember when the reality of what I had just done hit me. It was when the door opened to the holding area and we all got in and the door shut behind us. I thought oh Lord what have I just done?

One part of the story I have not told you yet is that one of the ladies was on trial for Murder. I'm going to call her Linda. Linda was in her early 20's. She had been a stripper in Knoxville. She met a guy at the stripe joint and had him bring her to remote area in Englewood, Tn. It was there she killed him in cold blood. I remember the detectives saying it appeared it was for pure fun that she did it there did not appear to be any motive. I had just taken a murder suspect out of the security of the jail. She had nothing to loose. She was looking at life if convicted. I drove home that night thanking God that I was not being booked into the jail for accessory to escape from a penal facility. I know that sounds dramatic but it was a possibility.

When I walked in the house Tommy was sitting in the den and told him what had occurred. I remember the color leaving his face and he said "Never do that again". The next day I had to go to work and tell Chief Hershell Jack what I had done. The Chief was in charge due to the fact the Sheriff had been out of town. The Chief could be a bit dramatic at times. I did not look forward to this. He did the same thing Tommy did accept it was much worse. I can't remember exactly what he said but I'm pretty sure I cried and he stormed out of the office. Later, I found out he went the the Sheriff's house and told him what I had done.

That day Miss Effie Vaughn came to the jail to mentor with some of the lady inmates. Miss Effie was a prayer warrior. I asked her to come back to my office and I told her what had happened. I asked her to pray for me. She did just that. Effie and I ran to the throne room and throw ourselves and the feet of our Lord and pleaded our case before him. I had jeopardized the privilege that God had given me by being so careless. I not only deserved to loss that privilege but also I should have been fired. As it turned out I went to see the Sheriff and he did not fire me. He did tell me not to do that again but he still allowed me to be over the jail ministry.

Well Linda was convict of murder and has life in prison. After her sentencing she was being transported to the state prison. Becky called me and asked me to come to booking. I went into the fingerprint room and there sat Linda and Becky on the floor. Linda had told Becky that the day I took her outside she had prayed and ask God to allow her to see freedom again. Linda was raised in a Mormon home. She had been abused by many and she was very confused about God. She had never been willing to talk about becoming a Christian. That day before she left the jail she prayed to be saved. She said she knew that God had heard her prayer and that's why we went outside that day. She also said she thought about running but something kept her from it. I think I know what that something is. My God is a mighty God. He is my refuge. I did not deserve for Him to keep me safe that day but He did. He had a legion of angels standing guard and keeping those ladies from running. And He knew when their minds started to think about running and that's when He told me to go in.

I learn so much from this incident. One was never take a group of convicted prisoners outside for Bible Study without protection. Another is that God's grace is sufficient. I don't really think it was God's plan for me to do that that day but I'm not sure it was not. I know He told me not to do it again. If that was what it took for Linda to see how much He loved her no matter what she had done well I guess it was all worth it. Jesus was not suppose to talk to the the Samaritan woman but that's what it took for her to come to know Him. I'm convinced He will stop at nothing to reach one of His. As far as I know she is still in prison. I've never talked to her again. The door that should not have been opened opened and I walk through it. Could it be that was the door Linda walked into eternity through? I not sure but God knows.

Chapter 1 The Door Opens One Way

I was raised in a Christian home and had times of seeking God but was never consistent. I knew who God is and that Jesus is His Son and that Jesus died on the cross for me but I had no relationship with Him. He was simply someone who I believed in not someone I belonged to. Then at age 28 God got hold of me. I don't know if it was the responsibility of two year old twin boys (Don & John) or someone praying for me but God pursued me and He had great mercy on me. One faithful Sunday I was sitting in the basement of Wildwood Baptist Church in Footie Lambert's Sunday School class and it was right then that I realized I was in great need. I had tried to find Jesus before but never did. That day I found what I had been looking for all my life. I remember thinking Lord I need You and without You I'm doomed. It was then that I became His and He became mine. From that day on nothing and I mean nothing about me was the same. From the way I thought to what I did and what I said began to change.

At that time Tommy, the boys and I lived in a mobile home in Athens. We attended Eastanallee Baptist Church. I know I said it was at Wildwood Baptist where I got saved but I was visiting and searching for answers. I got Baptized at Eastanallee. I had been baptized as a child but I felt I needed to get my baptism on the right side of my salvation, as they say. No one understood why exactly but I did. God had done a new thing in me and I wanted to do it right. To me baptism is the outward expression of the inward change that had taken place and one of the first steps of obedience. This happened in the month of November 1988.

I spent the next seven years in discipleship. First, I wanted to read the Bible from cover to cover. I read with a determination to find the answers I was looking for. Tommy & I moved to 123 Shawnee Trails, Athens Tn and that's where was are today. Central Baptist Church was less than a mile from our home so I started visiting there. We later join the church and began to get involved. The church had an outreach called Total Life Encounters and eventually I got involved with the group. A friend from church told me about Precept Bible Study an inductive way to study the Bible. I did that and enjoyed digging deeper and deeper into the Word of God. God was preparing me. I felt a sense of determination I can't explain. It was like I need to get as much knowledge about the word as I could for some reason. I now know I got a crash course in Christianity taught by the Holy Spirit.

During that time I was working at the McMinn County Sheriff's Department as the secretary to my father in law D.T. Nation. I felt a compassion for the women in jail and even thought about teaching them the Bible. I prayed about it and felt God may be wanting me to do that. I asked the jail administrator if anyone was teaching Bible to the women and he said yes there is a lady that come every week and sings and preaches. I was relieved it was being done and most of all I was relieve I was was not going to have to do it. I was afraid. I left it at that and time went on and there was a sheriff's election and D.T. got beat and he and I were not longer working at the jail.

That would seem to be the end of that. But God had different plans. A couple of years later our church was doing a in home Bible Study called "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackabee". It was one cold winter night our group was meeting at a home in Decatur. During the prayer time that night God reminded me of the jail ministry. I remember praying that if He wanted me to teach the Bible in the jail that He would have to open the door. I was sure the current Sheriff would not allow me to do it. That prayer meant more that I could have ever thought. God was listening. My heart was tender and pliable. I simply believed God. I didn't think much more about it until August 1994. One hot August day after the Sheriff's election, the new Sheriff came driving up in my driveway. Sheriff Steve Frisbie came to my house and asked me to be his secretary. That had to be God. I had not even thought about it. So there it was the open door that opened one way. His way.

I started my new job September 1, 1994. I began to find out about the jail ministry right off. I found out that about four groups of people were doing ministry and there was some differences among the groups. The Sheriff was interested in jail ministry and wanted to open it up to more people. A meeting was organized and one could tell that there were some strongholds in that jail. It's interesting how the enemy fights unity. I started going to every service on Wednesday night and observing the services. I was not received with open arms by everyone. I can see why. I think I was more liberal than most of the ladies involved. The first service I went to I think I had on jeans. All the other ladies had on long skirts. I did not care. I was just being me.

Finally early spring of 1995 Me and Cher a friend from Church got a day to go and lead a Bible Study. This came with some opposition. Like I said we were not like the others. Later I grow to have some fine friendships with some of the ladies that I feel is still have to this day. They taught me some things I would have never learned if I had not known them. As I said, it was finally our day. I had been preparing for weeks for this day. God had led us to John 4 the story of the Samaritan women. I'm one to get big ideas so I had this idea of dressing up like I was the women at the well and telling the story as if I were her. I remember listening to John 4 on my headphones over and over trying to get the story in my spirit. I wanted our first experience at the jail to be a memorable one. I had no idea just how memorable it would be. As it has been on the journey there was a huge obstacle that night. There was a tornado warning and the jail was on lock down so church was canceled. That was one of many times I have had to press though and wait on the Lord to open the doors.

If you missed your night you had to wait until the next time you were on the schedule. So I think it was about a month before we finally got to lead the Bible Study. We did just like I had planned. I wore a long tunic with a rope tied around my waist and a scarf on my head. I told the story as if I was her. I remember looking into their faces and thinking I hope I'm telling this right. God reminded me that this was His ladies. He loved them. Going to the jail is a huge responsibility because those ladies are so hungry that they will listen to your every word and can easily be led astray. And some were led astray by people who came in to do services. It's amazing what some people focus on. What a privilege it was to be there. I was hooked. I wanted to do it every week. Some of those ladies in that jail service are still coming in and out of jail. Some have changed and some have died. The Women at the Well, I'll never understand how God did it but He did. Looking back I see the way He led me and used every event to bring me to where I am today. The door that opens one way. His way. The best way. I plan to continue to walk though them each one as he opens them.

The Story I told that faithful night:

I started my journey to the well. It was the sixth hour. A time of day when there was no one else at the well. This is the time I come every day. I would not dare come when the others are there. I can't take the glares and the whispers. I don't blame them. I've done a lot to talk about. I'm so ashamed. I feel so dead inside. I want to be alive. I have prayed for help. Many times I have cried out to God. I don't think He cares about me. How could He. I'm so dirty and filthy full of sin. I long to be loved and accepted. I have never had that. Oh, I've had love but only for a short time then when they get tired of me they are gone. That's why I'd just as soon come to the well by myself. But look there's someone at the well. It looks like a man. Oh, yes it's a Jewish man. Well at least He want talk to me or even look at me. Jewish men don't talk to Samaritans. Especially Samaritan women. I'll get my water quick and go home.

What's that He said " Get me a drink". Sir are you talking to me? Saying "get me a drink" Jews don't talk to Samaritans. Then He said If I know the gift of God and who it is that asks this of me I would have ask Him and He would have given me living water. I did not understand this what He was saying. Living water? What's living water? Then He said everyone that drinks this water will thirst again but the water He would give would well up in me to eternal life. Living water? Yes, Yes, Yes, I want to be alive. I don't want to have to come to this well again in the heat of the day. I said give me this water. Go get my husband but I have no husband. He says He knows I have no husband. He also knows I'm living with a man that is not my husband and I have had five husbands. He knows all this about me yet He still talked kindly to me. He still wants to give me living water. He must be a prophet since he knows all this about me. Sir may I ask you a question I have been wondering about? Where are we suppose to worship? On this mountain or in Jerusalem? He explains to me that a day was coming when we would not worship on the mountain or in Jerusalem. There will be a day when we will worship in Spirit and in truth. This is the kind or worshiper God is seeking for. Oh yes if that is true I can worship God in my heart not on the mountain and not in Jerusalem, in my heart. May I ask another question? The Messiah called "Christ" when He comes will He explain all this to us. He says "I am He". Could it be this man, this kind man is He the Messiah? I know there is something different about Him. Love I feel true love coming from Him. Something in me tells me He loves me.

About that time a group of other men came to the well. They were not like Him. They seemed upset that He was talking to me. It doesn't matter, He talked to me. He loves me. He gave me living water. He's the Messiah. I left my water pot sitting on the well and ran as fast I could to tell the others. I have seen the Messiah, come see Him for yourself. Many came and many believed that day. My life was changed. If you look in your Bible in John 4: 39 you will see it says many came and believed because of my testimony. Can you believe it? God used me a Samaritan women with a past to lead many to Jesus the Christ. What about you, do you believe God has sent Jesus to bring living water to you? Do you believe He knows all about you but He has still come to save you? Can you imagine being free from shame and guilt and made clean and pure? Can you see yourself telling others what He has done for you? Even better can you see others coming to know Him as their Savior because of your testimony? He's at the well waiting on you. Walk on up get a drink. You'll never be the same. Come all who are thirsty and drink the living water.

The Book Women at the Well

For some time now I have wanted to write a book about how Women at the Well got started. I just do not know how to start. I decided to start by posting a Chapter a week on my blog. So here goes. I hope to have it written by the end of 2010. Twelve Chapters should get it. Lord I pray you will give me the wisdom to do this. And I pray You will receive all the glory for it.

Women at the Well- Starting of a Ministry

New Birth in the Family

On November 30th @ 9:53 pm we had a new addition to the family, Capri Violet Grace Nation. She weighed 7 lb & 11 oz she was 20 inches long. She looks a lot like her daddy and Pop T. She is fearfully and wonderfully made by her creator.