Cheyenne Mountain Re-entry Center in Colorado Springs, CO Dec. 2008

The 1st Wings Party in a Colorado Prison was held on December 20, 2008, at the Cheyenne Mountain Re-entry Center. There were 22 volunteers who helped with the party. They were from Colorado and New Mexico, at least 10 different churches and denominations, and represented at least 6 different ministries. There were about 110 people total at the party including the staff, who were very helpful, accommodating, and welcoming. Music was led by Rev. Paul Hilker on the keyboard, along with about 12 resident choir members. Of course the children helped join the choir during various songs, and everyone loved the music.

The Bible story was a Live Nativity including Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, a stable, an innkeeper, many shepherds, sheep, ‘wise people’, and of course a room of heavenly angels. Fun was had by all, and the story had never been quite so lovingly been shared. The residents helped their children decorate cookies and make Christmas cards while the adult guests learned about the history of the Wings Ministry, and various ministries shared all the opportunities available to the residents and their families.

Dinner of pizza, cookies, and punch was shared by everyone in groups of 10 people. Fellowship was shared around the table, family Christmas traditions were shared, and people talked about special angels⁄people in their lives. New friendships developed and it was a fun time of getting to know one another around each table.

Of course a Wings Party never ends without a group game, and one person from each table was decorated as a human angel. It is amazing how everyone is given the same materials, and yet each angel is so unique and beautiful. Laughter and fun was shared by all.

Jim and Lisa Harmon, the Wings webmaster and photographer extraordinaire, took professional family photos of each family. What a lasting gift that will be for the residents and their loved ones. We closed with a huge circle prayer, with everyone holding hands. Everyone is welcome, treated as a Child of God, and no one is ever left out of our closing prayer. One teenage girl came up to me after it was all over and tears were streaming down her cheeks through her smile. She hugged me and said, "Now I know I’m not all alone!" I teared up too, for I knew that we had really helped her.

Special thanks to the South Suburban Christian Church for the use of their van to get volunteers from the Denver area to the party. Special thanks to all our donors, who helped with pizza costs, a Wings volunteer who made Biscochitos — the official "cookie" of the State of New Mexico for our Colorado friends, for the Hobby Lobby in Albuquerque, who specifically gave us cards and stickers for this party, and for all the cookie bakers in many cities who gave us their home-baked goodies to share with all the residents.

It was a wonderful party and I thank everyone who made it happen. Duplicate comments were not recorded.

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