MICHIKO TWO

"Whoever receives one such child in My name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:5-6. All the arrangements for Michiko to attend the week long Bible camp were finalized by my wife, Rosemary. Come to find out later, it as one of the most celebrated Bible camps in the country. Upon return from her spiritual journey, Michiko was reluctant to discusss with me about her Bible camp experience on the telephone. She appeared embarrassed, but more than that, she was afraid to express the decision she made for life (instead of death) which might significantly contradict my recalcitrant criminal belief system. Young, uncertain, and on new ground, she didn't want to be presumptuous for making a life altering decision on her own, without permission from her parents. After all she was only 13 years old. My extreme ignorance during those times probably would have lead me to laugh at my daughter for saying she found God, or laugh at the notion of the existence God. My uncomfortable position in this space would have caused me to make some inane joke to dispel any genuine belief in being able to locate any god, anywhere. Finding God was poppycock to my street life perspective of self-preservation, violence, drugs and greed makes the world go around. It is evident my daughter knew me better than I knew her, or knew myself. She had to protect herself from my ignorance while protecting me from myself, so I wouldn't cavalierly spew insulting blasphemy that might destroy our relationship forever. It was then I realized she had been saved and was afraid to share it with me because of what I might think or say. The realization of the magnitude of my daughter's reluctance to share a life changing moment with me due to her fear of my response was devastating to me. It crushed me to know Michiko was hesitant to confide in me. The impact of this realization permeated every facet of my soul. I was always on her side in any matter, nevertheless, I wasn't to be trusted. I was too much of a convict, hardcore and demeaning, not much of a caring, nurturing father. Tenderness and understanding was not my strong suit. Power, greed and pride was the heart of my principles and desires. It was at this moment I knew I was wrong in all matters of life, a complete and totally failure as a son, as a citizen, as a husband, and as a father. All my successes were criminal in nature, all destructive, all evil. All I did was inflict pain, foment fear, and leave a wide swath of destruction in all that I touched. An absolute reprobate. Evidently Michiko found God, who delivered her from death into salvation, eternal life. She was saved. Not that I knew what "being saved" meant. However, it was clearly conveyed to me in a manner unknown me that she had accomplished her goal of finding God. It was strange, but I felt the unspoken confirmation of her accomplishment through the telephone, yet I did not understand the implications. At this time, though I was in transition from one criminal enterprise to another, I was on top of my prison game as one of the most prolific and violent drug dealers in the Washington state prison system. I was, one of a very select few, welcomed into the company of all the prison gangs. I was feared by all, including staff, the badge of a notoriously successful convict. I cherished the fact that people dreaded and feared my presence. Prisoners wanted to be seen with me to elevate their status. The criminal justice prison system is a gravely sick, degenerately celebrated, evil inspiring lifestyle, and is sadly one of the stalwart pillars in the foundation of a civilized community. Society can NOT function without a penitentiary. David, the child molesting prisoner who provided me with the Bible camp address and concomitant access, was entitled to some form of appreciation for the successful results of his efforts. Most prisoners would just write it off as nothing, he's just a child molestor. However, I hold myself to a higher standard and pay my debts, even if others would not. I do it because it is what I do. I don't care what everyone else does. It is never weak to do the right thing. It was bitterly unpalatable but I approached David, and in a peculiarly uninviting tone of disgust, I said, "David, you get one hour of my time for me to attend any church service, to do whatever you people do. Only one hour that's it. I feel I owe you that for helping my daughter." To my chagrin, David immediately responded excitedly, "Tonight at six o'clock in the chapel." I reluctantly agreed. I was exceedingly disappointed as I expected David NOT to want me anywhere near him, or at the service he attended. I mumbled an obscenity of self-castigation under my breath due to my gross miscalculation. I am sorry this keeps getting longer than anticipated but more aspects reveal itself as I write. Thank you for allowing me to share a portion of my original testimony. This is Michiko Two. Soon to follow is Michiko Three, maybe Michiko Four. I didn't expect for my testimony about my daughter bringing me home to Jesus Christ to be so extensive. As I write I realize there are no accidents or coincidences in life. More significant facts are constantly disclosed to me. My testimony appears to be a deliberate and calaulated calling by God, so every detail revealed is extremely important. I don't want to scrimp or miss documenting any truths. May our Lord and Saviour bless you and yours with the patience and understanding to recognize that the sorrow and misery you experience are revealed messages of hope, comfort and love. Humbly in prayer, SCOTT.