CURIOSITY AND uncertainty mingled with a tinge of excitement when we, the Go-Local team mounted the Stella Maris bus just outside the huge iron gate of the Fort Augusta Correctional Institution on Thursday March 15. As the gates opened and the bus drove in, the glances and nods exchanged between the security guards and the Stella Maris group spoke of a familiarity and trust and encouraged us to relax.
Preliminary checks at the "front desk" complete, the Stella Maris group, headed by Maureen Jones proceeded (packages and bags of gifts in hand), to the chapel at the southern end of the prison. A few inmates followed as the group made its way to the chapel but by the time we got there, some 40 or so of them had already gathered, ready to engage in the praise and worship service for the day.
Soon, the strains of the song "Who is your deliverer", led by Dwight Richards, rang out, filling the atmosphere of the chapel and beyond with rich and reverberating echoes, compelling other inmates to come and join.
The Stella Maris group along with the inmates sang, clapped and danced and the atmosphere was lively and animated.
Though there seemed to be an abundance of love and warmth however, (expressed in the hugs exchanged between the Stella Maris group members and the inmates), there was a distinct sense of a "longing for home" made quite visible by the tears and depressed look on the faces of some of the inmates. Freedom and homecoming were the sentiments expressed in the songs chosen, the literal (as opposed to spiritual), interpretation for which, gripped the inmates and had most of them clapping and shouting. But the longing for home got the best of a few others and when the song "I'm but a stranger here, I'm going home" was raised, it brought them to tears.
The Fort Augusta visit lasted just over two hours and as we left, there were many smiles, waves of good-byes and shouts of "see you next week" by some of the inmates. It was indeed, an inspiring and enlightening trip... one of those occasions when a particular cord deep in your soul feels strained, unable to heal itself unless you go deeper into whatever caused the strain...
On this week's religion page of www.Go-Portmore.com, is this touching account of a visit to the Fort Augusta Correctional Institution. The trip was really a project of the Stella Maris church. They've been visiting the prison now for the past twelve years, making a positive impact on the lives of the inmates there.
Log onto the site for this and other positive community events and happenings.
