LIZ CONDO/The Advocate

Kids visit dads at Angola Prison: largest celebration of its kind in U.S.

The 2008 Returning Hearts Celebration at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola is expected to reunite a record number of children with their inmate fathers for one special day, reports Jeremy Reynalds, correspondent for ASSIST News Service.

Angola was once considered the most violent prison in America.

According to a news release from Awana, an international children and youth ministry, the Sept. 13 festivities will include crafts, pony rides, inflatable games, sporting events and a meal together. The eight-hour reunion will be the nation's largest gathering of children and their inmate fathers.

The news release said that about 730 children participated in last year's Returning Hearts Celebration Angola, and this year more than 1,000 are registered. The event is a joint effort between the penitentiary and the Chicago-based Awana.

In addition to a fun-filled family day in a festive atmosphere, Awana said the Returning Hearts Celebration is a time when fathers who may not have seen their children in years can ask for forgiveness and begin reconciliation with their daughters and sons, helping to break the cycle of crime.

Awana pointed out in a news release that children of an incarcerated parent are seven times more likely than their peers to end up in prison themselves.

“Returning Hearts is a time when the walls come down between kids and their fathers,” said Lyndon Azcuna, director of cross-cultural ministries for Awana, speaking in a news release.

He added, “This special day gives children an opportunity to be with their fathers physically and to hear them say, �?I'm sorry,’ and �?I love you.’ It's also a place for children to experience God's love through the changed hearts of their fathers.”

Awana President Jack Eggar said in a news release, “These fathers do not want their children to end up in prison, so they are intentional in encouraging and teaching their children to pursue godly character.”

Awana Lifeline began in 2003 when Warden Burl Cain of Louisiana State Penitentiary, the largest maximum- security prison in the U.S., invited Awana Co-Founder Art Rorheim and President/CEO Jack Eggar to speak to the prison's fellowship of Christian men.

What Rorheim and Eggar found was surprising; inmates wanted to see an evangelism and discipleship program established for their children.

Awana officials said in a news release because of the expertise Awana has in working with children, parents and churches, Cain invited the ministry to help meet this need. Soon after, the Awana Lifeline program was born.

Awana recently announced plans to expand its Awana Lifeline program to seven other prisons throughout the nation, including San Quentin.

In addition to programming, Awana also is responsible for coordinating hundreds of volunteers for the event. Last year Awana volunteers came from 21 states, including Alaska.

Awana is an international ministry that partners with parents and churches to raise children to serve the Lord. Each week, more than a million children and youth are involved in Awana through more than 12,000 churches in the U.S. and in over 100 countries.

SALE! 40% OFF! How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week

[08/31/2008]

Print Version