Renewing Vows, Renewing Hope

She wore a beautiful white wedding gown; he wore a modern button-down tuxedo. All the traditions were upheld as they recited their vows before the minister and their many friends, but this was no ordinary wedding. The bride and groom were renewing their vows inside Trinidad‘s Carrera Island Prison and most of the guests were prisoners - friends of the groom.

Frankie-Antonio Sealy, known in the community as “Sonny Dagger,” spent more than 14 years in and out of this prison before eventually committing his life to Christ and becoming the pastor of a Rescue Mission in New York. After 28 years of marriage, Frankie and his wife Agnes chose this maximum security prison to renew their vows because they wanted to send a message of hope to the prisoners. 

Although Frankie had moved to the United States many years before, he continued to work with PF Trinidad and Tobago providing practical help to the prisoners. He made many friends while in prison, and remembered vividly how they struggled to remain hopeful in the midst of miserable circumstances and an uncertain future. When they couldn‘t read the words of a foreign sign that hung in the prison, they guessed that it read: “all hope is not lost.” With the assistance of PF Trinidad and Tobago, Frankie obtained permission from the prison authorities to hold a wedding reception on prison grounds. A catered meal was provided for the 500 prisoners and 100 guests and family members from the outside.  The prisoners were provided with a gift of clothing to wear at the reception.

According to Daniel Parks of PF Trinidad and Tobago, Frankie‘s presence in the prison and the elaborate ceremony greatly encouraged the prisoners.  Frankie challenged the men that they can have a good and productive life despite their current circumstances.  “It‘s not about me,” he explained, “it‘s about God, and He is why I am here.”