At the beginning of this year I was offered the opportunity to receive a pen pal through prison ministry, and while the idea of writing to a stranger in this way made me a little nervous, I quickly signed up. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but I can assure you the outcome was far more rewarding than I could have imagined.

He told me about his hobbies. He told me about his love of classic rock and how he was burdened with a horrible singing voice. He's a whiz at Scrabble and can hold his own in handball, but sometimes his achy knee holds him down. I learned that he was just a normal person who had made a mistake.

He told me about his family. My heart broke for him as he told me about the passing of his parents and how his siblings are too busy with their families to visit. He told me that my letter was the first one he had received in years, and I learned how lonely prison can be.

He told me about his past. He told me about the mistake he made 22 years ago and how it flipped his life upside down. He was honest-- there was no sugar coating or attempting to lessen the severity of what he had done. I learned that he was truly sorry, and that he had accepted his time.

He told me about his conversion. "...and for the first time, I stepped into a church in 2009." He told me about his life changing for the better and the peace he's found in his life since then, and I learned that it's never too late to turn your life around.

He told me about his dreams. He told me that when he closes his eyes he can go anywhere in the world, and that when he closes his eyes he's swimming with dolphins in the Pacific and riding his motorcycle across the country. I learned the importance of imagination and positive thinking, especially when the light at the end of the tunnel seems too far.

I remember nervously writing my first letter to this man thinking this was probably going to be a year of awkward and shallow letters, but it wasn't. This man was open and honest and truly wanted to get to know me. This man encouraged me and prayed for me. While I have always been quick to judge those in prison, this man taught me a lot about the dignity of every human.

I am truly grateful for this opportunity, and I encourage you to reach out and write to a pen pal of your own.