A Generation When my testimony,"Dancing To A Different Tune" was first published, a very interesting thing happened - the majority of that first printing was not distributed within the exotic dancing industry it was intended for, but rather, it was distributed directly into the nation's prison system. This was our arrangement with the publisher. Suddenly I was communicating with those I never envisioned connecting with. I corresponded with a wide range of people whose lives and personal situations touched my own life deeply. But what I had no way of ever conceiving was that within 8 years, my own son would be one of those men who would trade his dreams of freedom for the bars of restriction that would claim the next 13 years and 9 months of his life. Since arriving in Kansas I have seen and experienced far too many life altering and in some cases, life ending situations, that arise from the use and abuse of alcohol by those underage. When we envisioned 'Mirage' it was to give the kids a safe alternative to going to a houseparty or gathering out in some country field to get hammered. Unfortunately, old habits die hard. The truth is that our children are self medicating to kill the pain, to forget the hurt, to numb the shame. Some are choosing to drink just because they are bored and they feel there is nothing else to do. But what they fail to see is that what they view as incidental alcohol consumption becomes the springboard for corrupting their life with poor choices. The result of those choices is often reflected in our society through unexpected pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, emprisonment, dismemberment and in too many cases, death. Something has to change somewhere. What follows is a look at prison life through a variety of different means. Our prisons are overflowing with kids who once said "I never thought this could happen to me." And left in the wake are too many loved ones and friends who say "I never thought this would happen to him." This concerns all of us. We are losing the next generation. We are losing our future. As a Christian, I can tell you that the only answer to our problems is Jesus. However, we no longer live in a truly Christian based society and all too often Jesus becomes the last resort rather than the first. Change has to occur and what needs to happen is that people need to step up in their own little corner of the world and make a difference. One person writing a letter to a state official voicing their concern on something they feel strongly about, one individual setting the example for those around them who look up to them, one man praying with a teen who is going through a tough time, one woman who does for a teen she doesn't know as she would do for her own children. All of these things will help to enact change on some level. Never let an opportunity pass you by. And above all, remember to never forget these words; "Judge not lest ye be judged." For the next family going through could very well be yours and the next one to be judged could easily be your own son or daughter. |