Per my last blog, my passion for people is something that I thrive on. Whether it’s a simple hello in the market, or be it three hour long conversations about life- I love it all. If you’ve met me or had a conversation with me, I’m sure you’d agree. This month I have the ability to live that out in so many different ways, but one of them has been a dream come true!
Since I was a freshman in college I have had the dream and the longing to do prison ministry. Part of my story has been that my mom went to jail for drug possession when I was a young girl, and from that I’ve always felt as if she’s put her identity of who she is in the fact that she’s a “criminal” because that’s how society labeled her. Since then I have had the deepest desire to let others in her same situations know that their identity comes from the Lord and the fact that he loves and sees them as his dearly beloved children.
This month that dream/ desire has come true- I have been able to do prison ministry and last week we talked about identity!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 This prison is filled with 200+ inmates and only one cell (they sleep in shifts). Their offenses are a varying range from petty thefts to murders. My team and I sit outside with about 25 of them every Monday, Wednesday, Friday for about an hour and a half talking about Jesus. Since coming to the prison those that have joined us have come to know the Lord on a deeper level. Not only because they have time, but because they have felt that Christ has changed their hearts drastically.
It has been AMAZING!!! I have loved every moment of it! We sing a few songs (in their language), and then we read the Bible and discuss, then we pray and say our goodbyes. When they see us coming in for the week their smiles are bigger than their faces! Their hopes skyrocket, and the feel encouraged and loved. That’s the best part about being the body of the church- we need every member in order to function and when we can encourage one another and walk out our faith and be an encouraging witness to those around us, it edifies those that are around us!
My heart goes out to each of them! They themselves preach to us and tell us who God is, and it’s incredible! I definitely look forward to seeing them every week and being able to be real with them and encourage them and giving them hope! I have yet to leave prison and not feel the Holy Spirits presence in there. I have left feeling encouraged and filled up myself. They are smart, passionate men, who care about the Lord and it’s so refreshing!!!
Gosh it’s been awesome! 🙂 if you have questions about it, or have comments to share- feel free to do so, id love to include you in on what I’m doing and how the race has provided me to step further into the things that I feel passionate about! 🙂
Next week we move onto Europe! Please keep my team in your prayers as we have another new transition! 🙂
