Singing Haitian Girls to Canada - March 3, 2010
Salmon Arm Observer Article
Melanie Hart: News/Blog
A Letter From Prison - April 17, 2009
March 26, 2009
Dear Melanie,
Hello. My name is T.R.W. and I am currently an inmate at the Wilkes Pre-Release Center in Washington, Georgia. It is my understanding that you provided a concert at the center here last year, which was uplifting and meaningful for all who attended, according to the many persons that I have spoken with. I have had the blessing of participating in the Experiencing God course here at Wilkes PRC and am currently enrolled in the HIghway to Heaven class. Through these outreach ministries, I have had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful, God-centered people: Becky Hooten, Dave Boburen, Jim Griggs, Butch Capps, and Kris Fischer. A recent topic of discussion in our Highway to Heaven class dealt with the ministry of music and the power of healing that music has for many people. During that particular session, I shared a personal story about how your msuic has ministered to me and helped me to heal, particualry throughout the past year.
To understand my story, please allow me to tell you briefly about myself. I was born and raised in a small, rural Georgia town, graduated from high school there, and then graduated with a degre in Educational Psychology from the University of Georgia. I aslo received my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Georgia, as well. Shortly after graduation from college, I married my college sweetheart and we were blessed with three great sons. I had a very successful career in Education, Mental Health and Social Work. I was a community leader and served as President for several civic clubs and local Boards of Control. My wife also had a successful career and my three sons were involved in a variety of athletic and social organizations.... So as you can see, we were perceived as a "model" family in our community. My family and I were involved and attended a church regularly. What was not known by my host of friends and family was the fact that I suffered from untreated depression. Since I merely practiced religion and did not have a real close and personal relationship with God was a major factor in my life, as well. As a result of my depression and my lack of obedience to God, I made some poor choces at work, which resulted in my receivng a five-year prison sentence. My family, friends, co-workers, and the community were "shocked"; these events began the journey that I am currently traveling. My wife of 28 years assured me that she would support me and stand by me during this ordeal. This however did not prove to be the case. Shortly after entering the prison system, my wife filed for a divoce and also had become romantically invocled with another man. She never visited me in prison and did not communicate with me that she intended to seek a divoce. I recieved the divorce papers "out of the blue" and she has never mentioned it as of this date. Our divorce was final in September 2008. During this time, I was hospitalized for an emergency surgery in Atlanta, GA and remained in the hospital for five weeks; still no contact from my spouse of 28 years. My depression worsened and my self-worth hit an all-time low. I prayed without ceasing... prayed to die.
After returning to Wilkes PRC from the hospital, I located your CD, A New Thing, in the lending library. The music spoke to my soul and thus began my healing process. The selection "A New Thing"was particularly moving and seemed to speak to my heart. I read Isaiah 43:18-19 over and over and began to quote it in letters to my children and friends. My children, friends, and my church family have continued to love me unconditionally and still support me... what a blessing! Your performance of "I Can Fall" also helped me through many dark days. Through your ministry of music, my involvement with Bible Study, my enrollment in Experiencing God, prayer, the love of family and friends, my work as a cerk at Wilkes PRC, and by establishing a close and personal relationship with God, I healed and discovered a peace that I have not possessed before. I began to "not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old." I am now doing "a new thing" and praising God for all of the blessings in my life. I have placed my shame and guilt at the foot of the cross where it belongs and started asking God what He wants to purpose through me.
Melanie, Becky suggested that I write to you and share my story so that you would realize how much your music has impacted my life and the lives of so many others. God has blessed you with so many gifts and talents and He has used your life to "purpose" healing within me. Thanks and praise to God for His mercy, grace, and wisdom. Thank you, too, for doing God's will and for making a positive difference in the lives of many, many people. You possess an incredible talent and your music ministers to others with hope, inspiration and joy. You have a big cheerleader in Becky who will always be on your balcony cheering you on. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Becky and did not hesistate at her request of this letter. Please know that both your CDs continue to bring me many hours of enjoyment and continued "healing." Also know that I have been praying for you and your family. Thanks, again, for your gift and for your willingness to share it with the world. God bless you and may the peace of the Lord be with you always.
Sincerely, TRW
Dear Melanie,
Hello. My name is T.R.W. and I am currently an inmate at the Wilkes Pre-Release Center in Washington, Georgia. It is my understanding that you provided a concert at the center here last year, which was uplifting and meaningful for all who attended, according to the many persons that I have spoken with. I have had the blessing of participating in the Experiencing God course here at Wilkes PRC and am currently enrolled in the HIghway to Heaven class. Through these outreach ministries, I have had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful, God-centered people: Becky Hooten, Dave Boburen, Jim Griggs, Butch Capps, and Kris Fischer. A recent topic of discussion in our Highway to Heaven class dealt with the ministry of music and the power of healing that music has for many people. During that particular session, I shared a personal story about how your msuic has ministered to me and helped me to heal, particualry throughout the past year.
To understand my story, please allow me to tell you briefly about myself. I was born and raised in a small, rural Georgia town, graduated from high school there, and then graduated with a degre in Educational Psychology from the University of Georgia. I aslo received my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Georgia, as well. Shortly after graduation from college, I married my college sweetheart and we were blessed with three great sons. I had a very successful career in Education, Mental Health and Social Work. I was a community leader and served as President for several civic clubs and local Boards of Control. My wife also had a successful career and my three sons were involved in a variety of athletic and social organizations.... So as you can see, we were perceived as a "model" family in our community. My family and I were involved and attended a church regularly. What was not known by my host of friends and family was the fact that I suffered from untreated depression. Since I merely practiced religion and did not have a real close and personal relationship with God was a major factor in my life, as well. As a result of my depression and my lack of obedience to God, I made some poor choces at work, which resulted in my receivng a five-year prison sentence. My family, friends, co-workers, and the community were "shocked"; these events began the journey that I am currently traveling. My wife of 28 years assured me that she would support me and stand by me during this ordeal. This however did not prove to be the case. Shortly after entering the prison system, my wife filed for a divoce and also had become romantically invocled with another man. She never visited me in prison and did not communicate with me that she intended to seek a divoce. I recieved the divorce papers "out of the blue" and she has never mentioned it as of this date. Our divorce was final in September 2008. During this time, I was hospitalized for an emergency surgery in Atlanta, GA and remained in the hospital for five weeks; still no contact from my spouse of 28 years. My depression worsened and my self-worth hit an all-time low. I prayed without ceasing... prayed to die.
After returning to Wilkes PRC from the hospital, I located your CD, A New Thing, in the lending library. The music spoke to my soul and thus began my healing process. The selection "A New Thing"was particularly moving and seemed to speak to my heart. I read Isaiah 43:18-19 over and over and began to quote it in letters to my children and friends. My children, friends, and my church family have continued to love me unconditionally and still support me... what a blessing! Your performance of "I Can Fall" also helped me through many dark days. Through your ministry of music, my involvement with Bible Study, my enrollment in Experiencing God, prayer, the love of family and friends, my work as a cerk at Wilkes PRC, and by establishing a close and personal relationship with God, I healed and discovered a peace that I have not possessed before. I began to "not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old." I am now doing "a new thing" and praising God for all of the blessings in my life. I have placed my shame and guilt at the foot of the cross where it belongs and started asking God what He wants to purpose through me.
Melanie, Becky suggested that I write to you and share my story so that you would realize how much your music has impacted my life and the lives of so many others. God has blessed you with so many gifts and talents and He has used your life to "purpose" healing within me. Thanks and praise to God for His mercy, grace, and wisdom. Thank you, too, for doing God's will and for making a positive difference in the lives of many, many people. You possess an incredible talent and your music ministers to others with hope, inspiration and joy. You have a big cheerleader in Becky who will always be on your balcony cheering you on. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Becky and did not hesistate at her request of this letter. Please know that both your CDs continue to bring me many hours of enjoyment and continued "healing." Also know that I have been praying for you and your family. Thanks, again, for your gift and for your willingness to share it with the world. God bless you and may the peace of the Lord be with you always.
Sincerely, TRW
What a day a Grandmother makes! - November 12, 2008
I arrived at Crossroad's studios - no make-up - at 7 a.m., November 11, still feeling blessed by the fellowship of the night before with Georgian friends who live in Canada! Some Georgian food and fellowship is good for my soul! It was a tremendous experience to once again be able to sing and interview on Canada's Christian tv program, 100 Huntley Street. Then, exhausted, I watched how God stengthened my almost 80 year old Nana Lois as she maneovered her way acroos highways and Ontario's 401 to arrive at our hotel in Brockville to get ready for the biggest women's event I have done so far! The tables were beautifully decorated with pink and black (NO, not in my honor, just a God thing). The men were in tuxedo shirts and served the women as they enjoyed an evening of shoes, food and fun! What a blessing God has bestowed on me to do what He's made me to do! What a blessing it was to return to my room that night and read the e-mails and guest book entries of those encouraging me to press on as my body is weary but my heart rejoices in my Good Jesus! This morning I crawled into my Nana's bed in our hotel room and nestled in as if I was 2 again. My feet warming her cold toes as her circulation is not as it once was. So blessed I am to have my prayer warrior, friend, sister and grandmother all rolled into one on this ministry adventure with me. Thanks for cheering us on!
"IN" Middle America... - October 23, 2008
From a boarding house in middle America, I reflect on the neighboring community's landmark of pride. It was pointed out to me by my host pastor the day I arrived for ministry in Nebraska (Scotts Bluff, Mitchell, Gering, Morrill). It's an historical landmark along the Oregan trail, where pioneers made their way from East to West in their wagons long ago. You can still see the original trails the wagons made. They didn't have shocks or anti-lock brakes, and I can assure you the roads look more appropriate for our modern-day off-road toys than chuckwagons. So others would know the way through the "Wildcat Hills" (amazing rocky bluff formations sprouting up from the plains and spanning North to South) they planted grass seed up and down the pass to make the letters "I-N." That way others who would come along would know the way through this massive natural roadblock.
Oh, how I want that to be the theme of my life and ministry; that my songs and testimony would serve in pointing others to THE WAY. If I could plant seeds on the mountains and hillsides of this world to show others through the narrow path of this hard terrain of life, I would plant J-E-S-U-S! It might take a bit more seed, but it's well worth the time, energy, resources and work! And I do it because... He's been a Good Jesus to me!
Oh, how I want that to be the theme of my life and ministry; that my songs and testimony would serve in pointing others to THE WAY. If I could plant seeds on the mountains and hillsides of this world to show others through the narrow path of this hard terrain of life, I would plant J-E-S-U-S! It might take a bit more seed, but it's well worth the time, energy, resources and work! And I do it because... He's been a Good Jesus to me!
So Good in Atlanta Airport - October 21, 2008
As I walked up to the American Airlines check-in counter a man was singing James Brown's song "I Got You"... he sang "so good..." and on queue I sang the second "so good"... as I walked up to check my bags. This launched 3 of us into a friendly conversation about Jesus and Christian music. By the end of the check-in, both of them had my business card in hand with the desire to get on my web site and hear "Good Jesus." As I said good-bye, I said, "Remember today... He's been a good, good Jesus to you!" Look for an opening today to tell someone how good, so good Jesus is!
COMING SOON! - October 18, 2008
As you may guess from my schedule, blogging ain't happpening at the moment, but come back soon to read amazing reports of what God is doing through this music and ministry! In the midst of all this traveling, and amazing ministry, the desire of my heart is to " be still" as God continues to lead me. He's been a GOOD JESUS to me. If you come back often, I'll give you many praise reports to encourage your heart and walk with Him.