Two weeks ago we went to our first prison ministry. I had a
shock when I first entered the cell as I’ve never been in one, and I felt so
exposed as a 100 pair of eyes stared at us when we walked in. I wanted to hide
behind a wall but there wasn’t anywhere to hide. Quickly all the girls crowded
to the only women cell which had 6 women inside. We didn’t know what to say, we
didn’t have our Bibles with us as we were told to not bring anything in, so we
thought that included our Bibles as well. I felt like we were thrown on the
spot.
It reminded me of the verse that we had just read that
morning during worship time. Matt 10:18-20
“You will stand trial before governors and kinds because you are my followers.
But this will be your OPPORTUNITY to
tell the rulers and other believers about me. When you are arrested, don’t
worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at
the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking – it will be the Spirit
of your Father speaking through you.”
Here is our opportunity. But what to say? I couldn’t pull
any verses out of my head. It’s funny that the morning before we had just
talked about putting on the armor of God and always be ready for battle. And we
had talked about the movie ‘The Book of Eli’, and how important it was to keep
the Word of
God in our hearts. And right after that we were thrown into the battlefield.
Was I ready? No. But this was a lesson learned.
2 Timothy 4:2
“I give you this charge: Preach the
Word. Be prepared in season and out of season.”
1 Peter 3:15-16
“If someone asks about your
Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and
respectful way.”
Well eventually we composed ourselves and were able to talk
to the women and sang songs with them. God used us despite of our incompetency.
Definitely an unforgettable experience.
This past Sunday we got to do prison ministry for the second
time, but this time we went to a juvenile prison. This time I had so much peace
going in, knowing that it wasn’t about what I say that’s going to make a
difference, but God’s work in their lives. We met 2 young boys of 16 and 17
years old who had only been in prison for 3 days. As soon as we got there, the
people from the church just started preaching to them, asking them if they
believed in Jesus and do they know where they are going after death, heaven or
hell. They kept asking the one guy who said he wasn’t a Christian if he wanted
to pray the sinner’s prayer, and he quickly and adamantly refused every time. In
my heart, I just wanted to get to know them, at least ask them what their names
are. So as soon as they finished their little spill, Christi-An and I, through
our broken Spanish, got to know them a little just though spending time and
talking with them. I got to share with them about the Father’s love though the
parable of the lost sheep and although he still did not want to accept Christ
just yet, I had such peace that the seed is already planted and that they are
going to know Him someday.
Some of the sweet
bracelets we received from the people in prison made out of plastic bags! So
cool! It always amazes me that people who don’t have anything to give still
gives.
Please pray for the prison ministry because they
had just changed the laws in El Salvador that only family members and people
with special cards can visit the prisons. So that means this ministry is now on
hold.
