Thanksgiving for the work God is doing!

As we all settle down for gatherings with family and friends to begin this season of Thanksgiving to count our blessings, here is a reminder from Gary and Diane's recent visit to Honduras. Strung throughout is evidence of all the gratitude and thanks we have for the amazing things God is doing. This is also a time for Gary and Diane to say thank you for all of the support and prayers that you have offered them since this adventure began. All of us have so much to be thankful for during this special season.

November 7

   

Today we went to the city of Tamara to visit the National Men's Prison there. There are about 4,000 men housed there.  The day was beautiful and cool. We were taken to a very nice open air worship area. There we would participate in the graduation of about 40 men from the Prisoner's Journey Program. This is is 6-8 week program of evangelism and introduction to Jesus. Then immediately following they will be going on to do the Train and Multiply Program, which will train them in discipleship in the coming year. This will prepare them to be mature followers of Jesus. At the graduation they were given a Bible and a diploma. Most had never had a Bible before. It was a treasure to them. We were blessed to shake their hands and witness this wonderful celebration. 

Across the rest of that prison, programs are being held in Train and Multiply and the Prisoner's Journey. A total of 980 men are actively involved in these programs throughout the prison system since the program started approximately one year ago.  One amazingly beautiful thing beautiful is that the Catholic Church there at the prison is holding a class in The Prisoner's Journey! This kind of collaboration does not happen often, but as it happens more frequently we as "The Church,"will be able to help fulfill the One Billion Vision that the Lord has given to OMS - one billion lives reached with the Gospel message in the next 10 years. We are so blessed to be a small part of what the Lord and His servants are doing in the prisons of Honduras.🙏🙏

After the ceremony we were introduced to another group of volunteers who work in the prison of Tamara. One of them spoke English! He had been in prison in the US when he found Jesus! So now he is working here in Honduras to bring the Gospel to his fellow prisoners. He also wants to work together with Prison Fellowship Honduras. So the Lord orchestrates the meetings of His hands and feet! We see this often! The love of our Savior and The Gospel bringing us together.

Another special moment happened at the closing of the ceremony. They brought us pop and two small chicken burritos to eat. So sweet and generous. Herasmo said we should try to eat it because they want to share this special time with us. So Gary and I and Herasmo drank the pop and ate the burritos 🌯 with them. It was their celebration and we were honored to share in it. Herasmo knows I sometimes have problems with the foods here, but I knew the Lord would bless this food that they shared with us. Another blessing to end the wonderful morning.

Another PS to this story! As I was writing this I neglected to share that Gary was able speak a word of encouragement to the graduates! He told them how much of a blessing the success of this program is to us and to both OMS and Prison Fellowship International. They woven into our lives,hearts and prayers.🙏

Reflections From the Last Trip to Columbia - from, Diane

On this day we began the day at Bella Vista prison. We thought we would see a worship session but we got a wonderful surprise and were witnesses to 20 baptisms!  The process of admission to Bella Vista was not as strict as for Pedregal. There was one computer check point and one metal detector. One stamp and finger printing. And then they checked our shoes after the metal detector! And of course we were fingerprinted when we left too.

We were directed to the chapel when we got there where we were informed about the baptisms taking place today. We were very excited to be present for this wonderful time. 

We were also informed that Janean Brabon would be there too. It was a pleasure to see her again. She was a part of the first people to bring the Gospel into Bella Vista back in the days when they were killing each other and the guards were even afraid to enter. But due to a vision from the Lord, the Gospel was taken into the prison by a few brave missionaries, and the prison was changed from a place of darkness and violence to a place of the Light of the Gospel. Today there is a seminary there that produces pastors who serve both inside  and outside the prison. 

After the baptisms we got to shake everyone's hands and extend our blessings to them. We were so blessed to have been there to witness this wonderful event.

After the baptisms we were taken to another patio or cell block. Much smaller and less crowded than the previous one. They said the prisoners in this patio were all former police or guards or government officials and lawyers! It seems crazy but that is what we were told. We went into the room where they have Bible study. There was a guy sleeping there. They told us that this room also is used is as a safe place to sleep when inmates have no money to buy sleeping spots! That is the way it works there due to the severe overcrowding of the prisons in Columbia. Our guide from Prison Fellowship (who also spoke English, praise God!), told us that Prison Fellowship owns some space and they see that the men have adequate places to sleep if possible. We also found our our guide works for OMS! It truly is a small world.!!!  They asked me to say some words about how believing in the Lord Jesus changes your life. I gave a short testimony of what He has done for me with a salvation message. The Lord gave me the words, for sure. Gary shared about how we were called into prison ministry and they seemed moved by our stories. So grateful the Lord provided a translator. We are so grateful to be serving in the prisons of Latin America❤️

A God-Sized Vision for OMS

In June we were invited to be a part of the International Missions Conference and the Worldwide Coordinators Seminar that were held at Ohio Wesleyan University in Marion, IN.  Since not all of our time is spent in Latin America, I wanted to give you an overview of what we accomplish in these other activities, both as an organization and as individuals and share some of my experience {Gary}.

The Missions Conference was primarily focused on sharing the vision of Bob Fetherlin, President of One Mission Society.  Bob explained his desire since being named president to cast a vision for the next decade.  He said he kept coming up with goals, but kept feeling God saying “bigger!”  Bob spent long prayerful negotiation with God and came up with what he said was a GOD SIZED GOAL.

“One Billion – One Opportunity Vision”

“We’re asking God, by his power and grace and for his glory alone, to enable OMS and our partners to give one billion people the opportunity to hear, understand, and believe the Good News of Jesus Christ over the next 10 years.”       

    Robert Fetherlin – President One Mission Society

This first half of the conference was to share the vision and discuss how this God Sized Goal could reasonably be achieved.  Not by OMS or other organizations, but by God. After all - with God all things are possible. 

We heard outstanding speakers share how their placement in worldwide mission gave them a critical position to see that the people are primed for receiving the good news.  Attending the conference were prayer supporters, financial supporters, missionaries and ministry partners from approximately 60 countries where OMS has an ongoing ministry presence.  This first half was the inspirational part of the meeting and everyone got tremendously excited for the opportunities that God is opening for us and Christians around the world to spread the Gospel.

The second half dealt with the mechanics of the implementation of the vision - the “feet on the ground” aspect of what God was calling us to do.  This was attended by ministry leaders from all over the world:  Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, South and Central America, the Caribbean, and from North America as well.  Here each group and ministry provided a short update on their activities, successes, setbacks and their plans for the future.

   

There were seminars and workshops presented that discussed methods and practical steps to more effectively spread God’s word. They pressed us to be looking at the challenges and the creative methods each group had found to overcome and share those with others that may currently be encountering similar obstacles.  The first three days of this portion of the Symposium were packed with good practices that have worked in other areas and how to avoid pitfalls and errors and follow Biblical principles in the spread of the Gospel.  

On the last day, each national group met individually with others from their respective countries and together they worked to determine what portion of the One Billion – One Opportunity goal they could be responsible for.  During the final session, the results of the tally were presented to the assembly.  Now remember this is just what OMS ministries feel they can be reasonably held accountable,  ...….. The number came to approximately 400 million, forty percent of the stated goal, without allowance for the contributions that come from other agencies, organizations and evangelistic-missionary groups.  That is an impressive goal in and of itself, if combined with other partners are able to do, the One Billion – One Vision concept appears reachable. Indeed, with God, all things are possible. 

The Conference ended on a very positive note and we all headed home inspired, encouraged and challenged.  When we look at the big picture, we can all see that it has to begin with each and every one of us sharing our faith on a daily basis and letting the power of multiplication work to give the opportunity to billions to know Jesus.

Beautiful Story of Dunia - Women's Prison - Pedrigal

While on our last visit to Colombia, the day we went to visit the women's APAC ( reentry program) we were thinking that we had already seen the prison recently and it would be a regular visit. We had been there on the last trip to Colombia last fall for the Latin American Summit meeting. At that time we had no idea of the changes in store - specifically that we would shortly be assigned there as Church Multiplication Facilitators! The Lord was preparing us even then for this new responsibility. 

So after all of the three stages of security check points at the prison, we entered into the the facility to meet some of the women in the program. And we did. But there was also a bonus for us. We met a young woman named Dunia, age 26, who spoke English and was to be our translator. She was originally from Canada so she spoke perfect English. The women were meeting for their Bible study and Dunia was going to translate what was going on in class. During the down time before class started she told us her story, which was quite surprising. She had been selling drugs and other things and that is how she landed in prison. She was very well spoken in English and very pleasant to talk to. We took an instant liking to her. She also knew no Spanish at all when she arrived there. So she had to learn the hard way.

In our conversation, she shared with us that she was raised Muslim and that she felt that she was spiritual but had no faith in Jesus or what He had to offer her. She had also been told in no uncertain terms by the lady who was leading Bible study that she was going to hell if she did not believe! We tried to be compassionate and soften the words, but agreed with the leader. We said we would like to pray for her and she said that would be fine. She also began to share more about herself with us. She shared that one of the things that was holding her back from believing was that she is a lesbian. She felt condemnation and judgment from the Christians there. She also told us that she does not usually attend the Bible studies. She teaches English to many of the women so they know and like her. But that day because of our need for a translator she heard the salvation message again and many other things from God's Word. The Holy Spirit was speaking to,her through these things. As the leader closed in prayer, Dunia stopped translating and was visibly moved by this prayer. We don't know exactly what was said but she was moved. When we finished we told her we would pray for her and hoped to see her on our next visit.

When we returned to the Prison Fellowship office later that day we told one of the volunteers about our experience with Dunia. She said they have been praying for her and speaking with her for quite some time. She will be released soon but cannot leave Columbia for 5 years. Prison Fellowship is hoping to employ her in the office because she is educated. Then also she will have  exposure to the Gospel! The Lord is moving in her life and we are excited to see what He will do with this beautiful Muslim woman. Please pray for her heart to soften to the things of The Gospel.

- Blessings, Diane and Gary

Blowing Things up 48 years In

Hello all! This week I am guest posting with a story that is best told from the outside. It's Dena, Gary and Diane's oldest daughter and amateur blog coordinator.

Last week I headed for the airport to pick up my mom and dad from their flight. It is one of things I enjoy the most about watching their dog and car while they are gone - I get fresh off the plane stories of what joy they have experienced on their latest trip. So what usually happens is that they try and cram 7-10 days worth of miraculous works of God into a 45 minute drive and what actually happens is I get some story but mostly this grand sense of wonder from each of them. And this time I was not disappointed. What I didn't expect was this little nugget.

They were telling me about some of their trips into some of the more impoverished areas around Medellin that they hadn't seen in their previous visits. I'll let them tell the actual stories. But at one point, they were learning the hard facts about a woman's circumstance and my dad was explaining how difficult it was to hear. Then he got a choked up and said, "You should have just seen your mother." He was so full of pride he was almost bursting. "She told them that we were just going to pray right then." I've seen my mom do that. It's the mom in her. I know what he saw. He saw fierce love in my mom and it made him feel like the luckiest man. And I saw it in his eyes.

I have always known my dad loved my mom deeply. He's sentimental and sweet to her but they can bicker like no one I know - 'cept maybe me :) And they have their troubles communicating their best intentions and love to each other even though it is in there. I only say that because what I saw in that moment was my dad acknowledging that my mom is PIVOTAL to the ministry they are doing because of her deep compassion for people. And I know I saw his love grow with that exchange. I don't know if she knows or if she saw. But I am telling the world, God is growing my parents together in ways that I am certain blow them away. They are learning to love each other in serving Him in the places of risk and uncertainty that He is taking them. Serving is a blessing that we often rob ourselves of because of the discomfort. That is not the headline for Gary and Diane. The headline is 48 years of marriage and God is still helping them to learn to love each other better.

Don't be afraid to go where God leads. There is no greater place of joy or peace or wonder than stepping into the flood of grace. And if you are holding the hand of your oldest and dearest friend, confidante and lover, there is NOTHING He cannot accomplish in and through you.

Another entry from Diane's Travel Journal

Below is one of the journal entries Diane sent from their last trip to Honduras. It gives us another glimpse into their activities when they are out of the country. At this moment, you are probably aware that they are in Medellin, Colombia. Please be praying for vision and direction as they take on a new role for OMS in that country.

Thursday

A visit to El Progresso prison and then return to Tegucigalpa to pack for the trip home tomorrow.

First some observations about El Progresso the town. It is very poor. We saw some of the worst conditions of any town. Much poverty and very sad conditions.

Before the prison we went to Sister Lillian's house. We did not know why. Then it was explained to us that  they were presenting her with the equipment necessary to run the The Prisoners Journey, or TPJ program, in the prison. They provided her with a TV, a DVD player, and the necessary things to run the program. This was given to her at the house so the prisoners did not misunderstand that it was for them. It is for them, but it is on loan from Prison Fellowship to run TPJ. This will be exciting to hear how many become involved by it's use.   Sister Lillian's house, while nicer than many in the area, is in disrepair and there are only rafters for a ceiling. And yet she spends many, many hours working in the prison and for the prisoners of El Progresso. She has been very dedicated for many years and had a wonderful group of T&M disciples. Many of them plan to be baptized in the coming months. We look forward to sharing in that with them. if not in person then on Facebook.

I have said before that El Progresso is the worst prison for conditions of all the ones we have seen here. But I realized today as we drove back the road to get there, that as the community goes, so goes the prison in that community. That had not struck me before. There is construction going on both inside and out of the prison. And  that adds to the turmoil of the place. It may make it better inside in the future, but now it is just a mess. Very difficult to even walk to the room where they meet. The floor is torn up and there are holes and trenches everywhere. You really had to be careful not to fall! Also, we got our feet all muddy and then tracked it all over the car. [Anyone who knows Diane will know that this must have driven her nuts to get that dirty and track it everywhere!! :)]

 But as I have stated before about El Progresso, the Lord is doing a mighty work there! These men are very dedicated to the program and to the Lord. They thanked us for coming and many wanted to shake our hands. The head man then spoke a few words and then Herasmo gave a short message. Gary also spoke and told them how happy we are about how well the program is doing. He said we bring blessings from the United States and prayers. While we were shaking hands with them, one man came up to us and was telling me something about his wife. (That was all I could understand of it). Then when he knew I was not immediately understanding, he went to get a man who could speak English to translate. The man said that this inmate had a wife who was pregnant and needed a test. He was asking for money from us because he had none for her to get the test.  It was sad. I told him I would pray that the Lord would provide the money for her to have the test. I guess that is one reason they don't want us to take money in. There is always a story, some may be true and some may not, but we would certainly be tempted to give them what they asked for.

It is a very sad place to visit but the spirit of the Lord is there and they are rich in love for Him. They really have to believe that this world is not their home. 

Diane also adds:

As always when we visit the prison, we are blessed to be a small part of what the Lord is doing in the prisons of Honduras.

From the pages of Diane's travel journal.......

Sometime during their last trip to Honduras, Diane writes.....

Today we got up early and the four of us went to the National Prison of Tamara. We were meeting Pastor Miguel who came on his motor cycle and one other pastor there who facilitated our entering the prison. They said they might not let me in being the only woman, as Nora did not go because of her knee. There was  a lot of walking to get to the chapel. 

The weather was dry, pleasant and sunny  but a little cool first thing in the morning. But at the prison, unlike most times when we visit, there was a nice breeze and very pleasant. We were in an open air room surrounded by much activity. Lots of laundry being hung out, people wandering about, roosters crowing and other noises from other parts of the prison. But in spite of all of these distractions the 10 men who were the volunteers participating were  very attentive and participated very well. Herasmo did the first half of the lesson(24), while Miguel did the second half. The men did an excellent job of reading the scripture passages and most stood when they read, showing respect. There were others who stopped by or sat down  but did not stay and they did not receive booklets. But they may be interested enough to participate in the next session of T&M. The potential is great in this prisoners because of the high number of inmates 2,000-2,500. Divided into 4 or 5 sections, we were only seeing one section today. It was wonderful to be present in the early stages, so we can see the growth when we return next time. All of the volunteers came and shook our hands and hugged us. Saying blessings to us. And we in turn blessed them. 

One inmate who was not part of the volunteers to be trained came and spoke to us in English. He had a sad story. He lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota and married an American girl - he also had a daughter. Then something happened, he didn't tell us what, that they made home come back to Tegucigalpa to jail and he has been there ever since. It seems so sad. But we do not know the whole story.

We decided to give Pastor Miguel one of our Spanish Streams in the Desert books. Gary signed it and everything but we did not get to give it to him. We got there first, he was on his motorcycle and when he got there we had forgotten about the book. We had to leave before he did so we did not see him after at all.  Things get complicated sometimes.

After we left the prison, we went to a mall for lunch. We had Subway and they let Gary pay. With only a little grumbling. 

This is just a sample of one of our days when we are in country in Honduras. We love going and are blessed to be a part of this prison ministry. This was an account from our last trip in January of 2016.

Train & Multiply - Gary Tells Us How This is Just the Beginning

As I have explained to some of you, in addition to the work we are helping with in Latin American prisons, God has laid it on our hearts to take the same Train & Multiply material to the local prison in Leavittsburg, OH at Trumbull Correctional Institution.

I had explained last year that a class of 10-15 disciples were regularly meeting where they were provided instruction, materials and encouragement to go out in the prison compound among their fellow inmates and begin talking about Jesus and inviting them to begin participating in small Bible studies.

That Train & Multiply class finished up and we held a graduation ceremony in December of 2015.  These inmates had become brothers in Christ over the period of 4 months when we were studying together.  These gentlemen have been meeting together now for about eight months and asked to keep the group together discussing Biblical issues, life problems and how to walk a Godly life in the prison. 

We recently started another class.  This time around, the members of that first class are teaching the material to a second generation of “church planters” for the prison.  Eleven men are now being taught the same principles by the men they responded to when asked if they would like to learn about Jesus. 

Each graduate was asked to submit 1-2 names of individuals that they thought were good candidates for the leadership training and those gentlemen were issued invitations.  Thirty one men were invited and at the first meeting 15 responded.  The attendance has leveled off at 12-13 and the enthusiasm and interest of these men is even greater than that of the first class.  I believe they are responding so positively because they are being  taught by a fellow inmate - someone who has walked in their shoes and has the same life experience as they have.

It is a slow start, but we were talking on Tuesday evening about saturation ministry  - where you contact every single person and offer them the opportunity to come to know Jesus Christ.  With a population in that facility of approximately 1500 inmates, one of them quickly calculated that between the present class and those from the previous class that if each one talked to one new person every day and they talked to a new person every day and so on, they wouldn’t have anyone new or unreached to talk to by the second week.  He has grasped the concept of multiplication and how that is the only way to reach the world for Jesus Christ.

It makes me ask, what if each of us did that ev

ery day, what would the world look like.

CAN YOU PRAY TODAY?

Gary and Diane are at OMS headquarters this week in Greenwood, Indiana and had asked my sisters and I to be praying for them today as they have the majority of their training responsibilities today. Could you join Emily, Carrie, and our families in praying for my parents to train and lead with confidence that they are going where God is leading as they train other OMS folks? Thank you!

AMAZING NEWS and request for fervent prayer!

As we have explained over the last years, we have been blessed to be able to participate in this ministry to the prisons in Latin America.  The success is God’s and the major workers are the volunteers in each of prisons who are there week to week instructing and encouraging the inmates in their discipleship and growth who deserve the credit.  Our role is one of encouragement, counseling and coaching of the trainers and to a much lesser extent assisting in the actual training of the individuals.

The results that are being achieved in Honduras by the volunteers have been significant enough to draw the attention of the leadership of both Prison Fellowship International and One Mission Society.  Through a series of meetings and communications it was decided to work toward a co-operative program between PFI and One Mission Society to go to the prisons of the world in a broader but also a deeper level to make an impact on this people group.

 

Agreements have been reached and the development of this program is taking place even now for targeting 10-12 countries in the World for 2016. 

Training Coordinator for TPJ-T&M Project 

With that said, we have been approached with the suggestion that we consider a role as the training coordinator for the project for all non-Spanish speaking nations targeted.  At this time it looks like those nations might be Philippines, Cambodia, Bangladesh, India, South Africa, Kenya, Bulgaria and Spain, Burkina Faso, Togo. 

As training coordinators, we would be expected to attend each of 2-3 Regional Training sessions to participate in the training of the First Generation of Trainers from each country in that region.  We expect to train at least 2 people from each country in this Generational Cycle.  Then subsequently, we would attend and assist in the training of the next generation of trainers, expected to be 10+ individuals that will then go throughout their nations sharing this program with both believers and un-believers that are interested. 

Assisting in the training of both the first and second generation of teachers would be probably two to three other trainers from OMS.  The suggestion is that I would –co-ordinate the training and Diane would be the Facilitator/Coordinator to handle the logistics for the program in the first generation training sessions.

A few other projects have been mentioned for our attention and consideration as well:

1)      Training Data Base Development Coordinator – OMS has trainers worldwide with many ministry partners for a multitude of different Church Multiplication Programs.  There has never been an established data base that could be accessed to find resources regarding the availability of trainers and materials based upon location (geography), languages for teaching, languages spoken, possible availability for teaching a week long class as well as by program, like T4T (Training for Trainers), VCP (Village Church Planting) and T&M (Train & Multiply.) We were asked to serve as coordinators for this project offering a “big picture” and “user friendly” oversight to keep the project focused on usability of those accessing the program.

2)     Interim Church Multiplication Facilitator to Colombia for the Prison Ministry – Working with Lacides Hernandez and his staff at Confraternidad de Carcelaria de Colombia  (PFI-Colombia),  In the absence of the present CMF due to health concerns, we have been asked to fill in for the next 6-9 months at a minimum to assist this co-operative ministry to achieve long and short term goals with regard to their work in the Prisons of Colombia.

3)     Continuing responsibilities as Church Multiplication Facilitator to Honduras – Existing roles

These represent a very large scope of projects that have not 

been totally firmed up yet but should be within the next 60 

days.  We are asking for prayers for wisdom to assist us in 

evaluating these projects and our capabilities to meet the needs 

of the project.

Miguel - A Man and His Ministry

Miguel (left), Erasmo Ramirez (center left), Herasmo Ramirez (center right), Gary  (right)

During our January 2016 visit to Honduras, we had the privilege of meeting Miguel C. who was a recent graduate of the Train & Multiply Program that Herasmo Ramirez, our National Coordinator, had trained in Tegucigalpa.  Miguel heads up the volunteer organization for prison ministry. not only in the church he attends, but for the entire denomination of the Nazarene Church in Honduras. 

Miguel told us his story. which began in Honduras where he was born.  When he was ten years old, his entire family moved to the United States.  They settled down in Southern California and not long after, Miguel said he got mixed up in the gangs in Los Angeles and all over Southern California.  His parents divorced, his father had deserted them, and it was the natural progression of things that as a teen he joined his friends in the gangs.

 

Miguel said he became a very ruthless, very bad man and said there is little you could imagine him doing that he wasn’t doing.  He said, “I was a very, very bad man.”  He acknowledged he had done many horrible things and really placed no value on life.  The burden of guilt that he was carrying for all the evil he had done weighed heavily on him. He said he remembered often playing Russian Roulette, spinning the cylinder of the gun and not really caring if he lived or died. 

He was eventually arrested and convicted, and was sentenced for a very long time to the prisons of California.

Miguel said he merely existed in the prisons for a number of years when a lady visited the prison and talked to him and others about Jesus Christ.  He said the Gospel resonated for him and before he had really come to know a lot about the Bible he had come to know Jesus through prayer and experience.  He said everyone thought he had gone crazy because he was preaching Jesus throughout the prison. 

Eventually, as his lifestyle demonstrated to others in the prison that something significant had happened to him, his efforts to evangelize in the prison started showing results.  He participated in the Christian worship services and became recognized as a leader of the Christian prison population not only by the other inmates, but by the prison authorities. All of this eventually led to him being paroled after only serving 15 years of his 30 years to life sentence. 

Miguel said he felt led by the Lord to return to Honduras to serve the communities where he started out, trying to reach them with Jesus before they made the mistakes that he had made. That eventually led him into the prisons in Honduras where he serves in full time ministry for the Nazarene Church.

After taking the Train & Multiply course, Miguel recognized that this was something that he could use and work with in the prisons.  He was excited to see how he could “train and multiply” the disciples inside the prison.

During our week-long visit, we were privileged to be there and participate in the first class for Train & Multiply in a new prison, the National Men’s Prison in Tamara Honduras.  This prison has approximately 2,500 inmates.  The prison authorities gave him permission to begin teaching in the Casa Blanca Cell Block, one of ten blocks in the prison.  They also asked for a commitment from him to go into each cell block and do the training so the program can grow throughout the entire prison.  

Ten men began the training and an additional six individuals listened from the periphery of the open classroom area and were offered the opportunity to join the class if they wanted.  It will be exciting to see how God grows the body of believers in the prison.

We are so blessed to be able to participate in this ministry to the lost.

Quick picture of the area outside the prison

Diane found this one photograph of El Progreso - the area outside the prison where they park - and thought she could share after the post on Friday.

Just to clarify, they are not permitted to take photographs inside the prison - at least not that prison. Others in their party have permission and they often get usable photographs later on. That's one of the reasons that you may see a lot of pictures of Gary and Diane's time with their hosts at lunches or downtime but much fewer pictures of the actual work they are doing inside the prisons.

We also don't get to see any photographic evidence of the difficult traveling that they do. A snapped photo here and there doesn't do much justice to the hours of road travel they do to reach these prisons. And don't be fooled. This is not like a few hours on the turnpike. This is Latin America and travel is much rougher. And my mom is rather famous for her car sickness. She brings a long plenty of motion sickness medicine but unfortunately has to leave the travel cushion at home. Maybe Gary can film some video next time to give us an idea of what travel is like.

Gary and Diane's comfort with their work does not in any way come from it's ease. It comes from a supernatural work that God is doing in them to give them what they need to do the work. Keep praying everyone. It's about to get pretty amazing.

A View into El Progreso Prison from Diane

I have said previously that El Progreso is the worst prison for conditions that we have seen so far. And that fact was still true on this last trip. But I realized as we drove back the dirt road to get there, that as the community goes, so goes the prison in that community. That had not been so apparent on previous trips. It was there but I did not make the connection. This city seems to be quite poverty stricken. Even the nicer homes were in much need of repair. Upon going into the prison we came on construction both inside and out. That adds to the turmoil that you feel before you even go in. The repairs may make things better inside in the future, but now it is just a mess. It was very difficult to even walk to the meeting room. We had to navigate holes and mud and trenches and loose grating. You had to be very careful where you walked for fear of falling.

But in spite of these awful conditions or maybe because of them, the Lord is doing a mighty work there! These men are very dedicated to the Train and Multiply Program and to spreading the Gospel. They thanked us for coming and wanted to shake our hands. The leader of their group spoke a few words then Herasmo gave a short message. Gary also spoke and told them how happy we were about how well they were doing with the program. He said we bring blessings from the United States and prayers. Then more hand shaking and blessings followed. While we were shaking hands, one man came up to us and was telling us something about his wife (wife was the only word we understood). Then when he knew were were not understanding anything else, he went to get another inmate who spoke English. The man told us that this inmate had a wife who was pregnant and needed a test. He was asking for money so that she could have the test. It was sad and a little frustrating. We told him we would pray that the Lord would provide the necessary money for the test. I guess that is the reason they don't want us to take money or anything else in with us. 

There is always a story, some may be true and some may not, but we certainly would be tempted to try to help in whatever way we could. It is a very discouraging place to visit - on the surface. But there is also the Spirit of the Lord working in these men and they are "rich" in love for Him. They really do believe this world is not their home. It is always a blessing for us to visit to witness what The Lord is doing in El Progreso.

Prayer Requested

Good morning everyone!

Mom and Dad are a little more than halfway through their trip to Honduras and I'm sure will have plenty of great inspiration to share when they return. In addition, they have loads of news to share about growth and changes in their ministry. They will be telling you all about that when they return. In the waiting, would you be willing to specifically pray for boldness and wisdom and discernment as they consider all these things and as they finish up their trip in Honduras?  Thank you so much for all the encouragement and support that you offer Gary and Diane. They are so grateful and so are the three of us, daughters as we share in this mission as well. All who love them and Jesus share in this call.

God Bless!
Dena

Sharing the Gospel in All the World AND in OUR BACKYARD

Happy New Year! Gary provided the following as installment one explaining some interesting developments the ministry in the last few months. 

One morning late last summer, I found myself asking why I thought it was important to take the Train & Multiply program to the prisons of Honduras, but not important enough to take it into the state prison where I went weekly in Trumbull County, Ohio.  It seemed a good question and I can only think it was provoked by God. 

There really was no good answer, so I immediately began preparing a proposal to present to Trumbull Correctional Institution.  Based upon my experience at the institution over the previous several years, I expected a lot of red tape and truly expected it would probably be 3-4 months before the proposal was either accepted or rejected.

After calling for an appointment with the chaplain to initiate the process regarding the approval, I got an appointment for the next day.  Chaplain Kostenko listened and asked a few questions and asked me when I could start.  When I seemed confused by the question he asked if I could start the next week.  I was almost speechless and I explained that I was going to be in Honduras doing prison ministry work there. He asked when I would return and when I told him he said then we can start that next Tuesday after I returned. 

We determined to have two separate classes, one on Tuesday evenings, the other on Wednesday mornings.  I thanked him and left his office stunned by how easy it had been to get to this approved.

By the time of the first classes, I had 6 students for the Wednesday class and  8 for the evening class.  At the end of two weeks, the class size and attendance showed that we could condense the class to just the Tuesday evening and there would be 10 students.

From that point on, the attendance was almost perfect exce

pt for a few bureaucratic mix ups leaving students without passes to attend. The classes were well received and my decision to be a director and moderator instead of a lecturer resulted in some very good discussion at each class.

The depth of the familiarity and level of study of the scripture by these inmates was impressive.  They knew their Bibles and well and could quote chapter and verse with far more skill than me.  When I remarked on this to them, they explained, "All we have is time and what better way to spend it than reading, learning and memorizing God's word."

Keep a look out for the next segment of this amazing story of what God has been doing!