One of things I love most about Allume is all of the INCREDIBLE women who bless us all with inspiring stories and life experiences each year. This year, I’m so excited for you to meet Christina Allen from Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree. This young woman is only 24 years old, yet is an example for all of us of the power of love to overcome hardship, pain and broken relationships.
Christina can’t really remember what life without an incarcerated parent is like. And yet, now happily married with a master’s degree to boot, she is living proof that your circumstances don’t have to determine your destiny. Can I get an amen??
Instead of falling victim to the inter-generational cycle of crime, Christina hasn’t let her father’s imprisonment define her. Today, she’s working through Angel Tree to let children of prisoners all around the country know that they don’t have to be another statistic, that they, too, can feel mom or dad’s—and God’s—love at Christmas and all year round.
I don’t want to ruin the rest of Christina’s testimony because it’s so good and so moving…you’ll just have to wait until next week to hear her full story at Friday’s lunch, sponsored by Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree.
Oh, and don’t forget: all of you Allume newbies and oldies are invited to join us and Angel Tree for a special pre-conference tweet-up at the hotel on Wednesday from 3-5 p.m. just before the conference officially kicks off.
P.S. Two days left!!
Wick Anderson says
October 26, 2012 at 11:10 amWon’t be there to hear Christina….but I’m with her. As a child, we received gifts through the “Angel Tree”…and I can testify to not being identified by growing up with a father in prison. God has brought redemption to the story being written through my life, and I’m now a pastor/writer with 3 kids and one on the way from Africa. May He bless the time you all spend together this week, and encourage you in sharing the light…