Shared Sin and Shared Grace
God’s grace easily relieves a troubled soul, no matter who’s shoes you are standing in.
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It still catches us off guard—in the best way
It still catches us off guard—in the best way—when we discover the depth of creativity alive inside prison walls. We tend to picture art in familiar forms: canvas, paper, pencil, watercolor, soft pastels. But then something unexpected emerges, and it stops us. It makes us smile. It reminds us that
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Cowboy & Dog – Being Here Still Matters
Once again, we are given something far deeper than a simple introduction—we are invited into the hidden world of an AIC (Adult in Custody) artist. It is a quiet privilege, one that feels almost sacred. When we ask them to share what art means to them, we don’t always expect
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HOW DO WE DEFINE GENEROSITY?
The voluntary, joyful, and sacrificial giving of time, talent, or treasure, modeled on God’s abundant grace rather than obligation. It is viewed as an act of worship, a reflection of God’s character, and a means to bless others. “Give to others, and you will receive. You will be given much.
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An Agent For Purpose, Dignity and Hope
An inmate.An orphan.A work of art. At first, these worlds seem impossibly far apart. Yet through Visions of Hope, God is bringing them together in a powerful story of redemption. Activity from inside Oregon prisons becomes a vehicle for hope—supporting Ugandan orphans while giving the incarcerated renewed purpose and dignity.
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…..had never been asked to do a personal piece of art
by Correctional Officer D. Linares I recently had an Adult in Custody (AIC) at Warner Creek Correctional Facility paint a beautiful piece of art, which displays me, a skier, at the Warner Canyon ski area-located in the Warner Mountains of south-central Oregon. Although my identity is obscured by a helmet,
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The Sound of Water
by AIC Artist Russel Thomas I was raised in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the town of Nevada City from an age of 8 to 19 years old. I was lucky enough to have the foothills of these mountains in my backyard. I love to choose to recall memories of
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It Was an Amazing Discovery……
by AIC Artist Russel Thomas Artwork is giving me a level of patience and confidence that I’ve never had before coming to prison. Doing art allows me to enjoy my time and space in a place that seldom offers such. When I draw, I tend to draw places I’d like
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It Seemed a Good Idea, Until….
(Originally written 2009. Updated 2026) By Dale Russell Picture it: a scorching Ugandan evening around 7:00 PM. The sun has finally disappeared, but it’s still about 90°F with humidity to match. As a visiting team, we’ve been invited to a special event—a.k.a. the weekly bee inspection at the Bee Center at
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Is Handwriting a Lost Art—or a Lifeline?
by Dale Russell What could an Adult In Custody (AIC) possibly share with a Ugandan orphan living at Otino Waa Children’s Village (OTW)? At first glance, the answer seems obvious: very little. One lives behind prison walls, the other within the fragile safety of a children’s village thousands of miles
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FROM BARS TO BRUSHES TO AI
(Let’s have fun—with purpose.) Artificial intelligence reflects humanity’s curiosity and creativity. Y. LeCun Observe people who are good at their work— skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a backseat to anyone. Proverbs 22:29 AI-generated art is everywhere these days. Whether you’re scrolling through social media, spotting it
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