Tom and Ann Julia Hughes live in cozy comfort, surrounded by books and the beautiful things Tom makes with his own hands.

But the couple say they are never having more fun than when they are miles away from home in an unlikely place &045; a prison.

For the past nine years, Tom and Ann Julia have been involved with ministering to inmates at prisons in Mississippi and Louisiana.

&uot;We have been able to see God change their lives,&uot; Tom said.

But they also believe God is working through them, as well.

&uot;Both of us are really growing in our faith,&uot; Tom said.

‘An unknown’

Tom is a potter, known in the Miss-Lou and beyond for the beautiful pieces he creates and fires at his home in Natchez.

In addition to the pottery he sells, Tom also makes crosses &045; some ceramic, some from antebellum nails &045; which he often donates to friends holding spiritual retreats or other activities.

Ann Julia is a retired Spanish teacher. They married 14 years ago, after they met when both were staffing a Cursillo retreat weekend. The national program, which provides an intense spiritual retreat, was a powerful force in both of their lives at different times.

Tom’s first Cursillo retreat, in 1975, sparked his interest in the prison ministry.

Years later, after he and Ann Julia were married, he suggested they take part in a prison retreat together.

At first, Ann Julia begged off, saying she was too busy teaching school to take part.

&uot;When he said he wanted to do prison ministry, inside I was saying, ‘No!’&uot; Ann Julia recalled.

&uot;It frightened me,&uot; she said. &uot;It was an unknown.

But eventually she decided to attend the closing session of a retreat called Kairos &045; and immediately she changed her mind.

&uot;We see their lives change,&uot; she said. &uot;And it gives them hope.&uot;

‘A cleansing steam’

During Kairos retreat weekends, the men in the group meet with the prisoners, while the women cook meals.

&uot;The most important thing we do is pray,&uot; Ann Julia said. &uot;We cover the day with prayer.&uot;

Some of the prisoners they meet have been to church; others have never even heard of Jesus.

But when they do hear the story &045; especially when they hear about how Jesus was crucified beside two criminals &045; they often feel closer to Him, Ann Julia said.

&uot;He’s paid the fine,&uot; Tom said. &uot;They relate to that.&uot;

After completing Kairos weekend retreats with the prisoners, Tom and Ann Julia took a spiritual course of their own, called Cleansing Stream. They got so much from the experience that they wondered if the prisoners they had worked with would enjoy it.

So they got permission to take the three-month course into the prisons.

&uot;It does exactly what it says &045; it’s a cleansing stream,&uot; Ann Julia said.

Cleansing Stream takes participants on a deeper walk with Christ, Tom said. And it brings them hope, even while they are behind bars.

&uot;A lot of those guys don’t have any hope for a future,&uot; Tom said.

‘They’re human beings’

Tom and Ann Julia don’t ever ask what anyone has done, although some prisoners volunteer their stories. The couple treats the prisoners as they would anyone else.

&uot;They’re human beings, just like we are,&uot; Ann Julia said. &uot;I can relate to these men,&uot; Tom said. &uot;I never did get locked up for anything I did wrong, but I could have.&uot;

Tom and Ann Julia spend a lot of time with prisoners, getting to know them and seeing firsthand how the retreats and lessons have an effect on them.

&uot;So many of them are so young,&uot; Ann Julia said, recalling one prisoner who was just 18.

&uot;To see the change in this child’s face &045; the heaviness is gone,&uot; she said.

Ann Julia believes a prisoner’s face &045; especially his eyes &045; tells her whether he has truly changed.

&uot;How do you know it’s real?&uot; she said. &uot;I see it in their eyes. If there’s darkness there, there’s still some changing.&uot;

The prisoners &045; and the Hughes &045; realize that not all changes happen overnight; the journey is a long one.

&uot;They want too much of what’s in the world,&uot; Ann Julia said. &uot;But they realize it takes work.&uot;

And when they do see the changes among prisoners, they never cease to be amazed &045; or thankful.

&uot;A lot of times when we’re coming back we’re in awe of what happened,&uot; Tom said.

Wanting to do more

Despite all they do to volunteer, Tom and Ann Julia want to give more.

&uot;It doesn’t seem like much,&uot; Tom said. &uot;I wish I could do more. It’s not a burden as long as it’s fun.&uot;

&uot;Any door the Lord opens for us, we want to go through it,&uot; Ann Julia said.

Both often remark to each other about how much fun they have working with the prisoners and with other volunteers.

&uot;I taught for 14 years in the military overseas,&uot; Ann Julia said. &uot;I thought I had fun at the officers club every Friday night. But I have more fun at a prison Friday night that I ever had at a club.&uot;

And they regard their work at the prisons as a privilege.

&uot;People say, ‘It’s wonderful that you do the prison ministry,’&uot; Ann Julia said. &uot;What’s wonderful is we get to do prison ministry.&uot;