Part of our ministry here in Costa Rica is at a women’s correctional facility. We had been doing some cleaning, tearing up walls, and painting while being surrounded by women who have commited crimes you would not believe. Some of the worst of the worst are taken here. Although this environment has been unsettling from time to time, know that we had guards among us and have been praying over it like crazy.
There were some days that were difficult in showing up for this ministry. For the most part, this place felt strangely peaceful (probably due to prayer) so I know it wasn’t the spiritual climate. The construction and the grunt work is not the priority. Focus on the people and the inner battles the women were facing are the core of why we’re here. But having a clear set idea of the boudaries we need to keep between ourselves and some of the most dangerous people we may encounter is not a simple task. I wanted so badly to reach out to the women but did not want to become a target or taken advantage of.
One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made in past ministries is getting in the habit of doing the checklist requirements and only the checklist requirements.
Not sweating the small details and focusing on the Lord’s will has been at the forefront of my mind, however it was falling behind simply because it was more comfortable to stay in a safe zone.
For the most part we have had enough time to rest and rejuvenate ourselves. However, there were a two days in a row that overextended our expectations as far as workload goes. We were so beat it’s crazy. My team and I sat in the back of a dimmly lit classroom waiting around for something to do. One by one everyone was falling asleep as the teacher of the next class started teaching the only student that showed up that day. My eyes started to droop as my head hit the desk.
Suddenly I felt as though the Holy Spirit were telling me to wake up.
Somehow I knew that an opportunity to reach out to someone was coming up and if I didn’t sit up I might miss it or not be taken seriously. I started to pray that my team and I would be prepared to take on whatever God willed us to do and that we would be alert for that.
That’s around the time the head of education came into the classroom. He already knew who we were and that we were missionaries. He asked the only student if there was anything she wanted prayer for. She said yes. He turned to us and asked if one strong woman would pray over her. I don’t exactly consider myself to be strong or bold, but for some reason I stood up anyway. I asked if there was anything specific she wanted prayer for. She said she wanted us to pray for her studies and for freedom. I started to pray.
“Dear Lord, I thank you for this beautiful woman who you have created in your image…” Almost immediately the woman was in tears. I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone cry when I prayed for them. I hesitated for a moment, but kept going. “I ask that you would help her as she tries to overcome all anxieties and challenges with her studies. I also ask that you would have your hand over her as she tries to work through any problems there may be with the other women and family. Please have your hand over her and reassure her that You are there for her. Let there be freedom in her spirit, and give her a sense of your love and peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
After we were done praying, she told us how deeply touched she was by our prayers. I don’t know her story or why she was here. Normally I’m kind of a pessimist about whether or not people can change. But God has been reassuring me time and time again that with Him all things are possible.
In Him there is victory over even the darkest circumstances and the most disturbing crimes.
Later on that day one of my teammates sought out an opportunity for us to pray for even more of the women with similar results. It’s so good to have a new sense of direction and understanding of why we are here. We are not here to paint and smash walls…I mean we’ll do all that stuff but that’s not the point. We are here to listen to God and follow His will, and to give Him the glory.We are here to introduce His kingdom, and we are here to love the unloving and the unloved.
