What is "Open Mike?"

On Saturday night the Candidates are give the opportunity to use the mike to talk to the whole group.  No one is ever required to speak or encouraged to speak.  Team members are told not to offer support to any Candidate who becomes emotional while speaking.  That support needs to come from the table family.  The team will leave the "family" will be there Monday morning.  I've left off names for privacy 

God opened my heart.  Right now I don't have any problems!  With Kairos I'm just part of a big family.  Normally it's hard for me not to stay mad!  This is different! I am part of a big church, I am a big man, but I am still small in God, but that is going to change

People always made fun of my name, I had run away from it all my life, used a nickname, but when people here used it, Kairos gave me a reason to accept my name this gives me a peace, to be comfortable with me and with God, I can be alone with God!

I thought I knew what love was but I didn't - these people aren't just friends they show me what Love is --- I have trouble reading, but I could read those letters.  We got letters from all over the world, people in the next house won't talk to you, but people in Germany are praying for me,  that's God's love!

I make this promise to all you men in White -- I will conduct myself as a Christian from this day forward!

God has torn down my walls -- You guys don't play fair

I'm 51 years old and I have done most everything, everything that the world call fun.  The wine the women the fast times.  I've been to Viet Nam been shot at and shot people and I've seen a lot --- but I'm here to say, I have never had this much fun, and to think it a religious thing, God is funny! Me and Michael cried this morning, man this just never stops.

I've never been to Viet Nam but I've been shot at a bunch! (when this candidate was arrested he was shot 8 times the line brought down the house in laughter!)

I haven't been to church too much I am too judgmental of the folks in church.  I want to know how you get all that love in those little bags? (the letters from outside come in a little bag with the candidate's name on it.)

I didn't know anyone could love me.  I love you all - I am going to try to be a different person.  I've screwed almost all of you here at one time or another, but from now on I'll be different. (Candidate was having difficulty talking and was show support from his table family)

I love and respect everyone in the room.  I see people you and it makes me feel like I'm not alone anymore  (This was said looking at folks of different races)

Walked in here real tight, said "yes sir" to my sponsor I carried a lot of hate. I spoke with (Black clergyman) and he helped soften my heart, I was carrying a lot of pain and I couldn't let go.  I will respect my wife and daughter now.  I have tried to be a good person before, it just didn't work, it will be different now, I have found someone big enough to help me (pointing up!)

(The language has been cleaned up a little)

I have parents, they don't write me, I've got children but they don't write either, but here is a little piece of paper that from a little boy who shows me what love is.  Think about this little boy who took time to write this letter, If you don't know what God is all about ask him, it about love.

I don't know about you but I'm tired of living like crap, I'm tired of being trash.  There is a poster someone sent us that says "God doesn't make no Trash!"  Let's not be trash any more.  Here's another letter from a 17 year old boy that says he is on his knees praying for me.  I wish he were here so he could see me now.  It's working, I won't live like that any more.  I want to live right, please you guy you gotta help me! Help me live right!

I wrote sarcastically to my family telling them not to come see me this weekend (Kairos asks the candidates to do this so they will not miss part of the program)  I told them that I couldn't see them because I was having an encounter with God --- I was coming for the food and I am getting out of here in 51 days, but now I am scared, please pray for me, I came for the food, but I am taking God with me, and He is going to have to help me Outside.  I didn't know why I was coming to Kairos, but God want me to come to show me that God loves me.  Please, please pray for me, I do need it so.

I've been a cold to luke warm Christian.  I want to apologize this is something different for me & I am going to take this love and show it those other who don't know what God's love is all about.  Well I'm going to show them, I'm going to love them whether they like it or not!

I have a lot to apologize for, I am a racist, I look down on people, I want you to know that I know how hard it is going to be for me when I leave here! (this candidate is probably a gang member and expects retaliation from the gang)  But you know me, you know I am a stand up man, and I going to continue to be a stand up man, now I will be a stand up man for Christ!  I expect to see all of you in Church!