I nearly panicked when the unexpected happened. Our church group had visited a Honduran prison multiple times, and we believed it was important to bring fun and laughter with us. This prison is a hard place for both staff and the incarcerated men, surrounded by tall concrete walls. Many of the interior walls were made of tin-like metal sheets, as were the roofs.
On previous visits, we played highly competitive wiffleball, but this time we brought two large watermelons. In the middle of the concrete prison yard, we set up two stations as a large, energetic crowd gathered around. Two teams formed with a simple task: stretching rubber bands around the middle of a watermelon standing on end. Band after band was added, and as the pressure increased, the melons began to bulge and stretch. The crowd grew louder with every rubber band put in place.
Suddenly, the first watermelon exploded into pieces, and moments later, the second followed. Juice splashed over the competitors as bits of rind flew. Laughter filled the yard.
Life rarely goes according to plan. Just as we carefully set up the watermelon game knowing the melons would explode, the unexpected can still happen. I believe all of us have felt pressure like a rubber band squeezing tightly around us when life does not go as planned. Sometimes the unexpected turns out better than we had hoped.
Our students know disruption well. At the time of their arrests, prison was likely not part of what they envisioned for their lives. Our hope is that, over time, they discover who they are and that blaming others or circumstances transforms into taking ownership of what led to their incarcerations. Our hope is also that they grasp that, no matter how big or small our plans are, God is with us and desires to be invited in (Psalm 37:5).
“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand” (Psalm 37:23–24).
As you prepare to write your letter, reflect on a verse you may know well. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” What does this mean in your life today? How do you live this out when plans change or pressure builds? What happens when the rubber bands in life start to squeeze you? Is your tendency to push God away, or is it an opportunity to grow closer and more reliant on Him (Isaiah 41:10)?
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
What began as harmless fun quickly turned into something we hadn’t planned. The prison yard erupted into chaos as the crowd began whipping rinds at each other. The prison echoed with the sound of rinds striking the tin walls and roofs. With every loud “ting,” the pressure in my chest tightened, and I felt as though we were complicit in starting a prison riot. In that moment, everything felt out of control. But eventually, it settled, and laughter once again filled the air. What began in tension ended in relief—a reminder that even when life feels chaotic, peace can return.
Letters from Crossroads mentors remind students that even when life feels like it’s under pressure, God has not abandoned them.