Delivery Time!!!!!

                            It's A GIRL!!!!

Coach realized the other day that we had been preparing at Lifeway Haven for 9 months. He looked at me and said, " I think it's time we have this baby!"  We couldn't help but remember our own deliveries of our children.  All the preparation we did, plus the planning and making everything just right.  The beginning of labor pains is a process you can't skip, and it's harder as the process developes to the delivery.  Many young ladies I have coached in labor all said, "I can't do it, I can't make it, this is too hard!"  Of course there is NO return at that point.  We MUST deliver the baby.  

Lifeway has been that perfect nursery, prepared for the ladies that will experience a new birth into a spiritual family.  The rooms are prepared, food is in the pantry, dogs all immunized, paperwork is all ready, and the family is pacing the floor for the delivery.  Everyone is excited and suddenly, it happened, we received the note that our new delivery could be picked up on February 4th.  Oh my, we all looked amazed, shocked, ready, and sober.  Our instructions were to be at a pick up point, park a certain way, bring clothes, and be on time! 

As we arrived, we followed all the above instructions.  The officer stopped her car, the one with a shot gun mounted in the front seat, and said "DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE FOR ANY REASON!" Of course, following instructions at that point was easy for us.  :)  After a 2 1/2 hr. wait, we were directed to the line to pick up the inmate who was released to our vehicle.  As she entered the car, we smiled, she cried.  ( just like a real delivery!)  We have never met our new delivery and only knew about her from a letter.  

The transition was awesome, slow, and peaceful.  Her first call home to mom and her child were timeless.  She had slept without a pillow for years, her skin neglected, and she came with only the clothes we provided for her.  As we took her into the donation area, she pulled a garment to her face and breathed in deeply.  She turned and said, "fabric softener!, oh, how I have missed that smell!" 

Over the next few days, she shared some of her experiences with our team.  It was hard to hear and hard to picture women coping with such circumstances during incarceration.  She had shampooed and bathed with lye soap and used the facility with only a partial shower curtain on it while a male guard watched.  That was only one of the multiple incidents she shared.  Meals were only for 10 min. and most of the time, the food is cold and over 50% of the diet is carbohydrates.

We have set her up for medical exams and dental help.  That is a common need among the incarcerated ladies.  Valentines was her first holiday with us.  Our family tradition in our home and also the ministries we worked in, is to have pink pancakes with hearts on them and pink milk.  She walked into the kitchen and just stood there!  We have played games, done Bible study, shopped, and taken her to church so far.  She is doing well and yesterday, we picked up another lady out of her same unit that was her bunk mate!  Now, we have 2 at Lifeway Haven.  

The doors are open, projects are being worked on, and we are in full swing after 9 months of waiting!  We suppose the Lord felt we were at "full term" and it was time for the delivery.  These are exciting days ahead.  Please look on our web site for ways to be involved or to donate to assist this wonderful opportunity.  We appreciate your prayers and support.  

www.lifewayhaven.org

Blessings to each of you, 

Conley & Nancy'