"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them--the LORD, who remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD." - Psalm 146:5-10

Yesterday several friends and I went to the Angola Prison Rodeo at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. When originally asked if I wanted to go I was hesitant, mostly because of the activity not the fact that it was at a prison. But I agreed when I found out a decent sized group was going. As yesterday approached, however, I had begun to lose interest. I was tired and I thought it would be better to sleep most of the day.

Even so, we piled in the van at 10:30 a.m. and headed off on a two hour drive to the northwest. As we drove out of Baton Rouge it became very rural, very quickly. Finding a suitable bathroom stop was a challenge. As we approached the prison we were handed a sheet of rules just outside the main gate. No food, beverages, alcohol, cell phones or cameras were allowed inside the rodeo grounds. It told us to lock our cars probably seven times in about four different ways.

As we headed down the long, tree-lined driveway I could see part of the prison off to the right and more of it behind the rodeo grounds to the left. Even though we had traveled through fairly dense woods, the prison sits out in a large open space with many gulleys. Razor wire was everywhere and often present not once but two or three times on any given fence.

Angola has a history of being one of America's bloodiest prisons and is a maximum security facility. We left our purses in the car and I felt very awkward without the keys and cell phone I have on my person at all times. As we entered we realized that without our cell phones none of us had any idea what time it was. After a quick bathroom stop we headed in to find our seats and the show started shortly thereafter.

All the inmates participating wore black and white striped shirts that said, "Angola Prison Rodeo" on the back. There were a few special acts that were not prisoners, but by and large all the participants were inmates. There were a variety of events such as bull riding, buddy pick up, flip the calf and others. It was a great show and perfect weather and I'm so glad I went.

Following the show we went outside to see the hobby craft the prisoners were selling. Some of them were allowed to sit in their booth with their items and others had their things displayed on one side of a fence while they were on the other. All money went through prison security.

As we walked around I found myself being very cautious, generally avoiding eye contact and not getting too close to the fence.

As we sat in traffic for a long while on the way home I began to reflect on the day. I began to think about what it must be like to enter prison knowing you will never be free again and not knowing what might lay ahead. I also began to think of my actions after the show. I find it pretty easy to love and care for the poor, orphans, widows and the oppressed, but prisoners? Why do I have such a hard time with that when I am looking them in the face? Is it because they have done something to "deserve" the life they now live? Is it because they are more dangerous? Is it because I can't at all relate?

I'm still thinking this one through, but God calls us to love them just the same as everyone else. I pray that he will soften my heart in this area and teach me how to love as only he can love.