I woke up with a dread for the day.
My eyes were focused on my lack of strength and desire to do anything but sleep.
I skipped breakfast so that I could have a few minutes alone. I tried to pray for joy…but nothing moved in my heart.
My team (plus the 3 guys from the other team) left to do a feeding at the prison. The day before I had told my team leader that I wouldn't mind teaching at the prison, but as we began our walk, I wondered if I was supposed to be the one to share.
I told God I had nothing to give and asked Him to supply me with His joy and His words.
As we waited outside of the prison, Allyson looked around and asked who wanted to share. I spoke up but then I looked at Jake, who is an amazing preacher. I told him that maybe he should be the one to speak. Although he was willing, he said that he didn't have anything specific from the Lord, so if I did, I should. I did have something I wanted to share, but doubts came in whether God would give me the passion and words to speak since I felt unequipped that morning.
The team gathered around to pray for me…and Jake prayed that a spirit of comparison would not be present. And he had a picture of a boxing match being fought…where although I appeared weak, Jesus was fighting with me…so we were winning.
So we walked into the prison, filled with all men and only 1 woman. Again, I looked at Jake, wondering if it would be better if he shared. But, then the men started introducing themselves and they were so friendly and kind. (There is such a difference between the men in Central America and the ones in the Philippines. Although they still yell out at you here and tell you you're beautiful, it's so genuine and kind rather than belittling like it always felt the past few months.)
We began by singing a few Christmas carols. Then the men requested O Holy Night. As we sang the line, "Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth," I knew that I was supposed to tell the prisoners that they held worth.
So, with the pastor translating, I began to share how parents, or friends, or enemies in this world may cause us to think we are worthless, but God gave us worth by creating us in His image. And when Jesus came, he didn't come to condemn us, but to save us.
Then I shared about the relationship between sheep and their shepherd, how shepherds have to provide everything for their sheep from still waters to protection. I taught them that shepherds know their sheep by name…and that Jesus knew each of them by name and was calling them. I told them how we are like sheep, turning to our own way, and how Jesus came as the Good Shepherd, willing to lay down His life for His sheep. How He was willing to leave the 99 to pursue the 1 who had left the safety of His presence. I told them that Jesus was pursuing them right now. And then I shared how he had become like us, he became a sheep…and was led to His death in our place.
The great thing about speaking as someone is translating for you is that you can breath a prayer after every sentence you speak. As I shared, God reminded me of the incredible message that has been entrusted to us. What gifts He gives us to live by and spread in this world! We have the ability to share HOPE, and to describe the greatest LOVE that we have ever encountered. I found my joy again as I shared the Good News.
"A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices!"
As I finished, the pastor asked who would like to receive Jesus. Almost all of the hands went up as they pressed against the bars.
I don't know how many truly surrendered their lives to Christ that day…but I do know that Jesus is faithful to call…especially the least in this world…and He is faithful to redeem.
If you don't remember the joy of your salvation…share the Gospel with someone who does not have hope…and you will be reminded of the joy that is yours.
