The Free Waters Journey

Free Waters, is the combined works of both "Still Waters" and "Still-Free". In the course of ministering to others, we have often been asked about how we came to be "Still Waters" and "Still-Free". And I must admit that it does appear to be the working of two people who have collaborated together toward this end. However, I assure you, this is not the way it all came about!

Both the names we have been individually given; and also, the purpose to which we have collectively been called, have been the working of the Spirit of our Lord in and through our lives! But how did it all begin? What are we all about? And, where do we see the direction of our Lord leading us? It is my purpose in this correspondence to answer, once and for all, the three most often asked questions we have encountered.

"Still-Free"

At the time I was given my name, "Still-Free", I was alone in my cell. The year was 1995, and I was writing a letter to a friend who loved me and who was grieving over my sentencing. You see, I had committed a very serious crime and had just been awarded a six-year sentence for the behaviors I had committed. My friends, who had witnessed the miracle of what out Lord had accomplished in me, were more concerned over my sentencing than I was. When they visited me at the Spokane County Jail, I witnessed their concerns and felt their grief. As I wrote the letter, I prayed: "Lord, how can I let them know that just because I'm heading off to prison, it doesn't mean I'm any less free inside?"

The last thing I spoke before closing my letter was as follows: "Lord, how can I let them know I'm still free?" As soon as I spoke the words, my spirit came alive! Since that day, I have signed my name: "Still-Free" And guess what — It worked! One after another I received testimonies from people who heard the story of my life. They bore witness to the miracle my new name encompassed, and the effect it had on others. Since that day, I have been called, I have signed, and I have experienced the reality of being, "Still-Free".

Picture of Jan with Off-Broadway family!

Still Waters

At the time Still Waters received her God given name, she had been experiencing a time of severe wounding. God had provided her with the protective covering of what she, to this day, refers to as a "Bubble of Love". You see, her daughter had been away from her for a very long time, running from her family; but more importantly, from her Lord and Savior. Knowing the path she had chosen, which drove her further and further away was difficult enough. But, to know that it also placed her life in jeopardy made it intolerable to bear. God, in His mercy, made the way for Still Waters to escape. It came about through a visit to Whatcom Lake, in Bellingham, Washington. In the midst of her grief, Still Waters, took a photograph of the remaining members of her family. It was taken from a disposable, throwaway camera. Nothing special, no big deal, just an ordinary difficult day.

Three years later, during a time of continued grief, her daughter still remained aloof. Still Waters, was in her kitchen, when the beautiful picture she had taken, fell to the floor. It was now 1998, and the picture she had admired for the past three years was probably ruined. At least that's what she thought! A perfect end to an already difficult day. However, when she picked the picture up off of the floor, something happened! Accidentally? No, no accidents in God! She picked the picture up 90¡ Clockwise.

That was when she saw the panther reflection in the picture! Some people have mistakenly chosen to see evil in the photo. But, this is really not necessary. You see to Still Waters, and to many of us, it is a picture that depicts Beauty triumphing over the presence of evil! The journey continued, to the newspaper, to the bookstore, to many various Christian applications, to the healing of an entire community who badly needed encouragement, and to me personally later on in prison. Still Waters, then an art teacher named Janice, began to be called the Still Waters lady. Named by others, and not herself, she became Still Waters.

And then we met. So, how do an art teacher and a man convicted of a felony, which is serving time in prison meet? It's an amazing story. But, to share the entire experience, leaving nothing out, would render this letter extremely lengthy and cumbersome to read. Therefore, I shall content myself to document the most significant and important details.

The brother of a very good friend, whom I had never met in person, but had been writing to for a few years during my incarceration, had been involved in a horrible vehicular homicide. His best two friends both died in the accident and his own life had been critical. God in His mercy saw fit to spare Troy, but not without consequence. He had also been awarded a prison sentence for his part in the accident.

Through a whole series of miraculous interventions, we both ended up in the same cell, at the same prison. This is especially significant, because it is precisely what many of our friends and family had been praying for. To the eyes of many this was impossible. But, not with God!

Troy had been a janitor at the school where Still Waters worked as an art teacher. They had become friends. And, when Troy went to prison, Still Waters went regularly to visit and encourage him.

Because of the tragedy of her experience with her daughter, Still Waters had written and illustrated a book entitled "Tork". She was excited about her work and sent a copy of it with the pen sketchings for Troy to review. Troy then shared the book with me, and at once I wanted to ask him if he thought she would be willing to illustrate the book "Land Where Wisdom Speaks", which I was currently involved in writing. I never asked him, however, because I thought it would be wrong to encroach upon a friendship like that.

One year later, a friend of mine, Charlotte, was sharing some time with her friend, Still Waters, attempting to encourage her. Charlotte had several of the poems I had been used by God to write. Still Waters was touched by what she read and asked Charlotte if she thought I would allow her to illustrate the poems for me. On hearing that I was in prison at the very institution Troy was currently residing, Still Waters determined to locate me through Troy. When she learned that I was not only at the same prison; but also, the very same Christian cellie they had been praying for Troy to be celled with, was almost too incredible to believe! Nonetheless true. Through our contact with Charlotte and Troy, we have not only met; but also, have accomplished many wonderful books, poems, songs, and multitudes of other works, which have greatly benefited others, as well as ourselves!