The word “Anticipate” is very close in meaning to the word, “Expect”.
A pregnant mother expects a child and in anticipation, the room is painted and decorated, many “just-in-case” articles are bought and stored. The rest of the family on both sides become excited with especially the grandparents showing a new spring in their step.
“So, what does that have to do with the chaplaincy at Chester County Prison?” you may rightfully ask.
Well, after COVID shut down the chaplaincy program in almost every conceivable way, there suddenly is an air of quiet optimism and EXPECTATION that the chaplaincy schedule will very soon be expanded dramatically. To expound on the image of the expected baby, we are preparing almost feverishly for an announcement that more slots on the weekly chapel service will be activated. Presently, there is a flurry of preparation with many churches and individual volunteers applying for security clearances and building up their teams! It’s almost like the “good old days’!
Please pray for this process as much water flowed under the bridge in the last 5 years with an entirely new leadership team in place. By God’s grace, the Chaplaincy team do experience great favor but (as most mothers will know) the baby has not yet been delivered. More next time…
In Anticipation
Heinrich Botes