“This past evening is something that I will never forget and is something that changed my life. I have a stuffed bunny named Bunny, and Bunny usually hides out in my duffel bag until it's bedtime. But this evening for some reason I started talking with someone about stuffed animals and decided to share with them Bunny. So throughout the program I would look over and see Bunny being taken care of by my new friend. It made me smile every time I looked their way.
 
During the program we always offer to pray with anyone if they'd like to. But it isn't often that we are taken up on that. Last night was the first evening that we were all brought together, our team and some of the church members, and we joined in prayer over one of the congregational members. And it happened to be the one who had been holding my bunny. Praying that evening I learned just how fellow Christians can come together and hold each other up. I learned that even though we may be strangers we have a common bond in Christ. After the prayer was over there weren't many dry eyes. I went to finish tearing down our equipment, but my mind wasn't really focused. I was distracted by the one who had held my bunny.
 
I thought that maybe it was time to give something away that really meant a lot to me. I don't know why but I wanted to share something that I loved so much with someone who just had Jesus shining out of his young life. This was the first time that I had ever wanted to part with something I held dear. A few weeks earlier and still to this day I have been wanting to really learn how to give and to share things more. Last evening I think it was finally clear to me what it means to give something from the heart. I just pray that God will give us all opportunities to share something deep within us with others. I also pray that God will heal all of those who are hurting spiritually and physically. Thank you to Hope Lutheran and all the members there who have changed my life.”
 
~Katy Baxter
 
 
“Grandma: That's what my team calls me now that I have learned how to knit. This is something I picked up way back in November when we were in Noank, Connecticut. I’ve always wanted to learn how to knit and it happened one day, very randomly. The next thing I knew I was a part of a prayer shawl ministry through the Noank Baptist church. The materials of my first prayer shawl were donated to me along with the dedication of the official Captive Free North East prayer shawl! There was a whole ceremony involved and it was incredibly cool! I was touched by the gift because these shawls have been going to people who might need a little extra love in their lives. I learned all about how the ministry was started and some personal stories about how they have touched peoples lives. God is as close to you as the shawl around your shoulders.
 
The funny thing about my first prayer shawl is that it actually turned out to be a prayer cape. I didn't really know what I was doing and I added about 26 stitches by the time I was finished. One time I was staying with a family and I told them all about my prayer shawl so my host mom wanted to see it. She took one look and said that she could fix some of my holes. So it was mended and I moved on. When I was ready to finish it off we were getting ready to head back to the home base for winter training. The bummer was that I didn't know how to finish my prayer shawl. And once again I stayed with another knitting angel who helped me "cast off" my creation (I even learned a few new terms!). I took one look at it and thought that it looked like it should go to Superman because it had such a crazy cape shape! But it did go to a superman. My first prayer shawl was dedicated to a good friend of mine who has cancer. So my family gathered for the ceremony in my aunt's living room to pray over the shawl for her father-in-law. I wasn't sure if I was going to cry or rejoice in the Lord for the gift He has given us. People are such wonderful creations and each one is a blessing. Life is so amazing and I am thankful for the life that has touched me for so many years.
 
Over Christmas break I bought more yarn and started my second prayer shawl. By the middle of January I was finished. Not only did I bust it out in no time flat but once again I stayed with someone who knew how to crochet and added a little scalloped edge! It has been such a blessing to meet all these people who have helped me out with this ministry. The best part about my second shawl is that I didn't know who to give it to because I was on the road and we meet so many people every day!
 
So, this event is extra special because some of the people I met in Noank I saw again!! I was able to hand off my second prayer shawl back to those who gave me the knowledge. It was so great to be able to return the favor. Now I'm halfway through my third! It's great because now more than half of our team is knitting and Leroy and Jessica are both working on their first prayer shawls! Praise God for this blessing to our team!”
 
~Katie Bombardi
 
Find a Captive Free team in your area, read team journals, learn about team ministry and more at www.youthencounter.org/teams/!