LIFESTYLE
story by Cookie Cawthon
His Eye Is On The Sparrow story by Cookie Cawthon
I ate at my kitchen table with my phone face-up - a usual no-no, but these were special circumstances. My phone rang, but it wasn’t the number I expected. I answered, prepared for the characteristic pause and then distant voice of a telemarketer. “Hey, Miss Cookie. I’m ready.” “AAAAAHHHHH! I’m so excited and can’t wait to give you a big squeeze. I’m really proud of you! Casea will be there in a few minutes to pick you up. She’ll take you through a drive-thru to pick up dinner and then to Walmart to get anything you need. I will stop by the house to see you after my nephew’s tee-ball game.” And with that call, a dream stepped into reality. Five Sparrows had its first resident. Five Sparrows is a free, comprehensive two-year recovery residence for formerly incarcerated women who are survivors of abuse, addiction, poverty, and prostitution. That phone call on May 27, 2021, can be traced back to the evening of June 3, 2015 - the first time I went to jail. The first time I stood before sliding steel doors. The first
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January 2022
time I was patted down in booking. The first time I made the quarter-mile trek to H-pod in the Florence County Detention Center. I was there to participate in revival services for the inmates, and I was terrified. At that time, Tenacious Grace was a new women’s ministry, creating spiritual growth resources and speaking at local women’s events. I had recently announced to the team that I felt we needed to carry our resources and teaching to women in our county jail. The mission of Tenacious Grace has always been to engage hurting women from all walks of life with the message of Truth, strength, and hope in Jesus; encouraging and loving women in jail was definitely within the scope of our ministry. So I joined the Florence County Detention Center Ministry Team under the leadership of Chaplain Buddy Rainwater. That first night he told me, “You will quickly know if this is your thing or not.” When I reached H-pod, I fell completely in love with the women I met.
