Montana Women's Prison

I had an epiphany. Yesterday I met with my practicum supervisor. We talked about the possibility of starting a Toastmaster’s club in the woman’s prison. Since it came up, I’ve had signs placed in front of me time and again that there is some amazing work to be done within the prison.

I read an article in the Ensign about Joseph Smith’s experience in liberty jail. I was explaining to my daughter what I learned and I heard myself say, “when your body is imprisoned your heart and mind are freed up to learn.” (Isn’t it interesting the things you hear yourself say when you teach by the spirit).

I read an article online about the toastmaster’s club in the Montana woman’s prison from 2003. It spoke of the amazing growth these women experienced as a result of participating in public speaking in a safe setting. Their confidence soared as they experienced success in front of an audience and their future job skills were enhanced as they learned to carry themselves verbally and non.

I’m so ashamed of myself. Before I read this article, I found myself stereotyping these women in my mind rather than allowing them to be unique individuals.

Another intern told me of an acquaintance who was an inmate and told her, “You have no idea what an important work The Family Tree is doing by helping the women in prison learn to parent, coaching them through their childbirth experiences and creating the opportunity for them to spend time with their children.”

When she spoke of that, I thought about Christ’s words to his disciples in Matthew 25

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.

What an amazing opportunity I have. To work with these precious women!!!!!!!!

Note to self:

1. Expect them to live up to their full potential
2. Remember they have likely lived in situations where they have been prone to manipulate and keep your guard up, but love them too.
3. I know, tricky balance, but you can do it!!!!!!!!!!!