Yesterday two men heard those special letters after their name had been announced over the scratchy intercom. Instant happy shouting filled the room. In jail lingo “ATW” means all the way home. Their jail time is over.
When they announce those letters the pod (our dorm of 22 men) erupts with clapping, shouting and congratulations to the one who gets to go home. It means they are free.
If you have never been locked in a cage and had your liberties taken away “ATW” won’t mean much to you. Outsiders watch and shake their head and wonder what on earth is going on. All they did was say three letters. An insider would try to explain the pent-up emotions springing from their lips but I doubt an outsider could ever understand. “ATW” means freedom, family, real food, friends, wife, kids, grandkids, a real bed, cars, sunlight, fresh air, grass, telephones, vitamins, fried chicken, Starbucks, sunsets, walks around the block and a thousand other things I will never take for granted again.
As I thought about what I had seen and experienced when ATW was announced (I was shouting and clapping also) I was reminded of Romans 7:1, 4 and Revelation 4:1. One day soon we will hear a trumpet blast and the Lord will shout…. “ATW” (I Thessalonians 4 – come home). “You are released from that body that is imprisoned on earth. You will no longer be bound by sin and suffering and sorrow or temptation. No more wheel chairs, hospitals, prisons or drugs. Enter into the joy of the Lord”.
When that glorious day comes, angels will watch as millions of sin-weary Christians burst into spontaneous shouting. The angels will look at each other and shake their heads in questioning wonder and why a simple trumpet blast and shout could cause such a racket. God will say, “Angels, get back to work. There is no way for you to understand”.
Moses and the children of Israel felt the “ATW” emotions when they turned back and saw Pharaoh and his entire Egyptian army dead along the beach by the Red Sea. When they finally fully realized that they were free from that spirit-crushing bondage they had endured for four hundred years, the rejoicing was instant and spontaneous. Exodus 15 tells the story. I have read it nearly a hundred times but today I wrote “ATW” in my Bible beside this chapter. When I die someone will be looking through my Bible and wondering what “ATW” means. I’ll be looking down from heaven saying, “There is no way to explain it, so forget it. It only means something to me. Unless you have been there you will never understand.”
One of the men who heard his number called was Robert. When I came here five weeks ago Robert was withdrawn, often crying and very despondent. Two years of hard drug use had taken its toll. I made friends with him and gently introduced him to Jesus. His conversion was genuine and his growth in the Lord as he attended our four to five Bible studies a day was a real joy to watch. Robert is a master marine mechanic (he holds three world records for boat racing)and an electrician. Hopefully, he will have no problem getting work.
The other man being released, Eddie, is about the same age as Robert and is a cement finisher. I helped him learn quite a bit of math while he was here. The construction business is slow now especially as Christmas nears.
He was released just before midnight. I knew he had no job, no money and no place to go. He hoped his sister would take him in, but it would be 2am when he got there, even if he could get a ride the seven miles to her house, and 6am if he had to walk. I hugged him and prayed with him for God to provide.
Eddie and I had become good friends over the last five weeks. He came to quite a few Bible studies and memorized lots of verses to get candy bars, coffee and other prizes I offer from my commissary supply. He thanked me when I privately corrected him for using foul language. He will always have the scar on his hand where hit the Muslin man who had just hit me from behind (totally unprovoked) the third day I was here. Each morning when Eddie saw me, the first thing he would do was flash his big smile showing four gold-edged front teeth, show me his hand and say, “I’m your body guard, Mr. Kent. I’m watching your back.” I’ve made some great friends for life in here. This has been a good experience for me.
“ATW” also means a new man will be coming to the pod to fill the space. Dan came here four days ago and yesterday prayed with me to receive Christ. That makes number seven in my pod. He has three kids ages 7, 12, and 13. Last night he joined us in the prayer circle. He prayed such a sweet new convert’s prayer. He asked God to “bless my family and my new Christian family, especially Mr. Kent for leading me to Jesus. Please make the judge let him go home.” I love leading people to Christ but the supply of new prisoners never will end in here. I am beginning to wonder if God will ever let me out.
When do I go home? Judge Rogers can grant the acquittal in five seconds.
Assistant US Attorney, Michelle Heldmyer, is adamant against letting me out ever, for any reason. Please fast and pray at least one meal a week for God to intervene and stop this senseless persecution. Meanwhile, keep wining souls and teach others to do the same.
Longing for “ATW” from below or above,
Kent Hovind