I was just thinking back over our time in prison
ministry. From the beginning of His calling us, I never had any sort of fear of
going into any of the prisons. It is really amazing, because I am not a brave
person. Also I am not a risk taker at all. From that very first prison
experience in Ohio, to Mexico and Honduras, I was never afraid. That credit
could only be given to the Lord and the calling that He was putting in my heart
for those in prisoners. I recall that during our mission trip to Mexico we went
to a prison there. At the time I did not think much about it, but one of the
other women was very fearful as we were waiting to go past security. She was a
native of Mexico, so the country was not the issue. My calling for the
incarcerated started with Gary’s calling. At first, I thought it would be
something that he would only be involved in. At that time he was doing written
lessons that were sent in by prisoners.
Then after some time, he started with KAIROS. That is a program where prisoners are selected to participate in a
weekend in the prison. During that weekend the Gospel is presented and many are
brought to saving faith. Still, I thought that this was “Gary’s Program! ” I was
involved in baking the cookies that were part of the weekend. But that still
did not change my heart. The change came when I witnessed first hand what this
weekend meant to the men. I was privileged to attend a closing ceremony at the
end of the weekend. At that time each man shared his testimony of conversion
and what it meant to him. God was beginning to give me a heart for these men
too. Then in the next year, I was able to work on the kitchen team for a KAIROS
weekend. There was a team of us working together and also with inmate kitchen
workers. That was a life changing weekend! I got to really know a few of these
men and work side by side with them. Also, as the men came in to the kitchen
area to eat, we would sing a song to them. It went like this: we love you and
God loves you and that’s the way it’s gonna be! Just a simple song with much
meaning. They knew we meant it and it meant a lot to them. On the last day,
they sang the song back to us.it was so heart warming. It sounds so simple, but
that was the real change in my heart. The Lord knew what experience I would
need to give me a heart for prisoners.
I am so grateful that The Lord brought
me along right behind Gary. So we did the beginning of our married life
together and now we are doing our retirement together serving Him!
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