The Story Continues

The blog has been quiet for the last four months but that has not been for lack of things to write about. In the intervening months, we had the holiday season and my husband and I (blog admin and oldest daughter, Dena Masterino) have been in the process of deciding to move to Ohio, closer to family. So as we planned and explored and now pack and prepare, the blog has suffered some silence. But for whatever reason God has motivated me to make time to get in here and post some of the backlog of stories that my parents have shared over the last four months. I don't know if it even matters that the stories aren't up to the moment. God's work isn't only powerful when it's fresh. It stands the test of time. 



*******Wednesday August 15

Today we visited the women’s prison of Tamara. They had a graduation of about 80 women from The Prisoners Journey Program. This is an evangelism program specifically designed for Prisoners. We have been involved in this prison for about three years. They have graduated many women from The Train and Multiply Program but some have moved to other prisons and some have been released. So it was determined that it was time to reach a new group of women with the Gospel. From our observation today, it was a great success. There was enthusiasm and eagerness on the faces of all of these women. They were mostly young, but there was quite an age range represented.

Herasmo spoke and then each of us said a few words of encouragement. After this the group leader read the names of the women and each one came to the front and was presented with a Bible and her certificate of completion of the program. One of the guards loaned her phone so that pictures could be taken of each of the women as they received their certificate. After everyone was done they took a picture of them all holding up the Certificates! Beautiful! Then after they were dismissed they were excited to get small group pictures together. You could see that many relationships had been built along with coming to faith.

Next they will begin the Train and Multiply Program, which is a discipleship program designed to help them grow in their new faith in Jesus. We are grateful to be a part of this program and to see the fruit of the Gospel in the prisons of Honduras.

Conclusion - PART THREE

This is a long overdue part 3 of 3 to a series we started in September! If you want to refresh your memory on the previous two Click here.

Gary finishes up by sharing some of the particular challenges he faces on his visits to the local prisons here in the US. Good stuff. God stuff.

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PART THREE

Many of the challenges that I have to deal with are the results of my shortcomings and lack of self control.  Of late, I am finding a decreasing ability to deal with details and also with shortened fuse on my temper.  I believe it may be just “old timer’s” but it frustrates and worries me.  

In getting into the prisons, there are of course many security issues that you must deal with.  Each facility seems to have a completely different set of ‘dos and don’ts.”  Of course the first requirement at all institutions is you must get a reservation in order to visit any inmate.  While the process varies from one institution to the other, it is generally straight forward.  My major difficulty has been how and what I need, have to have, can’t have when I enter a particular prison.

Inside, we need to use a “food card” in order to purchase food to share with the inmate while we are inside.  This necessitates purchasing a food card (cash required), then loading it with credit (cash or credit card)  and this must be purchased inside the prison at the Visitors room.  PROBLEM:  You can take the food card in, but cannot carry any cash or any credit cards.

We are required to present identification (driver’s license) to prove who we are in order to get a pass to enter the prison.  PROBLEM:  Once you are cleared you can enter the prison but you can’t take the license in with you.

Their solution, rent a locker from them.  You must have two quarters in order to use the lockers.  No change available!

Now, at three of the four institutions I visit, you can enter carrying your car keys and you can wear a wrist watch, however at the fourth institution, neither are allowed.  You must now re-open your locker and deposit your watch and car keys  in your locker and then lock them in...... oh yes, need two more quarters.

On my first visit to this institution, I had to return to my car, once for extra quarters, once for cash for the food card and the correctional officer was amusing himself with my frustration.  I eventually had to turn my back on him, take a deep breath and calmly walk out of the institution.  I returned four days later all prepared.  I was truly afraid that my temper was going to get the better of me and I was going to say something.  

I am not proud of the fact that I almost lost it, but the experience provided me with a  taste of what the inmates put up with daily.  God’s lessons are easier to recommend than experience sometimes.  But God is in control and by His leave, I continue to try to minister to these men.  They aren’t saints, but then neither are any of us.

Long overdue - but well worth the wait!

Poor Gary and Diane have had a busy August and so has their blog administrator, leaving a great big gap in their blog history! So here we are trying to get back on track. The last post we had a few months ago was a brief summary of what Gary does in his work in the prisons. However, I got an even better review from him after that first one that I believe does a much better job of telling the story of how all of this is transforming not just the lives of those Gary serves but in Gary himself. Bear with us as it is lengthy and represents parts one and two of a three part post.  You may also notice in the beginning we repeat some of the last post but in that it's been a few months we will leave it in there to give others the full context. ENJOY and check back next week for part three!

PART ONE

Many people are aware through this blog what we are doing when we are out of the country with regard to prison ministry in Latin America, You also know that we aren’t there all the time and that we spend a great deal of our time here at home in Ohio.  What some of you may not know is that my interest and desire is to share the Gospel with individuals who, because of bad decisions and separation from the Lord, have found themselves in prisons.  

Many of you know that for close to seven years, I have been involved in prison ministry at the local prison with an organization called KAIROS.  KAIROS is a prison ministry organization that twice each year, in the prisons they serve, brings in a team of approximately 30-40 volunteers to meet, socialize, and witness to approximately 30-40 inmates.  I participated on teams for approximately three or four years before I started going to Latin America.  Since that time, the required team building for KAIROS requires that I be involved with the teams for approximately 5-6 weeks before we go into the prison, and that has consistently involved times when we are scheduled to be in Honduras or Colombia.  The result is that I haven’t been on a KAIROS team for about 4 years.  However, I have continued to be involved with their Prayer and Share program which occurs every Thursday evening.  

At the Prayer and Share Meetings approximately 6-10 Volunteers meet with usually about 30-40 inmates in small circles to pray for one another, for the institution, for the inmates in the prison that have not come to know Jesus, and then to discuss both challenges and victories that we have experienced in our walk with the Lord in the previous week.  We provide Scripture based discussion to one another. You may be surprised to learn that the support comes as often from the inmates to the volunteers as it does the volunteers to the inmates.  There are a tremendous number of strong believers behind the walls of the prisons.  All of us volunteers feel that we get every bit as much as we give in these meetings.  There is song and praise as well with a band with performances from both the volunteers and the inmate population with 2-3 guitars and drums.

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PART TWO

Because of prison regulations as a volunteer, I cannot develop a special one on one relationship with any individual to the point of being permitted to visit that individual for a personal visit.  However over the years, several inmates have been transferred to other institutions throughout the state of Ohio.  Many of these prisoners come from broken families, or from very broken and dysfunctional backgrounds and they actually have few if any visitors from the outside that come to see them.  

Some individuals who have attended the KAIROS events and Prayer and Share meetings are transferred or moved out to other institutions. For some of those, I have begun following up with them with a continuing written ministry through their in house e-mail system or through the regular US Postal system or even through physical visits to the facilities where they have been transferred.  

Currentlly, I am making physical visits on a once per month schedule to sit and talk with four  men who have become Christian brothers. The visits usually are approximately 3-4 hours with the respective inmate and because of the distance to travel, each visit takes the better part of a full day, leaving home at 5:00AM in order to arrive at the facilities by 9:00AM and visiting and then returning home.  These visits have resulted in developing a mentor type relationship with these men and strengthening both their faith commitment as well as my own.

While each individual relationship is quite unique, one that stands out is with a man who has the unfortunate position of being a 53 year old man who entered the prison system when he was 18 years of age.  His maturity and development have in many ways never developed beyond the eighteen year old level.  He was recently brought before the parole board and after being prematurely led to believe they were recommending him for parole was instead denied parole and advised he would come up for review in another three years.  

Our discussions on those first visits after this decision naturally focused on his disappointment and resentment over being passed over again for parole.  We discussed at length God’s Plan, Sovereignty, Goodness and Faithfullness.  I repeatedly explained that wherever each one of us finds ourselves, while it may be a surprise to us, it is no surprise to God.  He has a plan and we are all in exactly the place that he needs us to be.  That may be to teach us something, or it may be for us to teach someone else, it is our responsibility to be responsive to the situation and search for the Lord’s leading and instruction.  I will be honest, it was a very hard sale,.  He passed through several phases including anger, resentment to resignation, to seeking the what, where, who, and when of God’s plan for him.  He passed from saying “He may have a plan, but I for one don’t like His plan” to, I don’t understand His plan, to “What is His plan.”

These are not easy conversations to have.  I have been blessed in my life extraordinarily and I haven’t had to deal with these kinds of issues.  But somehow the Lord has seemed to give me the words to say, and given me am uncompromising insistence that God is unchanging, His love is constant, and the only thing that changes has to be our attitude toward Him.  

Last week, I attended that particular inmate's “Family Day.”  At his invitation, I was, for that day, the father he never had, and the biblical message and perspective I had been able to share regarding God had softened his resentment and he was back on track after a six week snit.  These visits with each of the inmates are quite different one from the other, but all leave me filled with gratitude in so many ways for the life that the Lord has permitted me to live.  It certainly is the result not of me or anything I have done or not done, it is solely the result of His grace in my life.  

Gary asnwers the question, "What do you do when you are HOME?"

With our overseas prison ministry work being intermittent and our travels only representing a portion of our time, some people ask if there is anything we do regarding the prisons here in the United States.  I am not sure if everyone really knows that our work in the prisons in Latin America was a development of what started almost eight years ago.

I think that many of you know about my involvement with KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY where along with a team of approximately 30 other volunteers we went in to prisons twice a year for a kind of “Weekend to Remember” for the inmates where we introduced a group of 30 inmates to the love of Jesus Christ.  This experience is what got me hooked on prison ministry. 

I still participate in KAIROS by attending  what is called PRAYER AND SHARE every Thursday evening where we do just that, we share experiences from the previous week, discuss challenges we have experienced in our walk with Christ and then Pray for one another.  This is generally attended by approximately 6-8 volunteers like me, and about thirty inmates from Trumbull Correctional Facility and is held in the chapel at Trumbull.

In the past eight years, I have developed friendships and a kind of mentor relationship with many of the inmates such that as they have been transferred to other prisons or have been released, I keep in contact with them by both e-mail, snail mail or by personal visit.  Currently I visit four inmates at four different facilities from prisons located in Ohio in London, Mansfield, and Marion. Diane accompanies me on my visits to one of the inmates who I met almost eight years ago. 

Every Friday, I teach a class in the chapel area at Trumbull Correctional Institution.  We have done studies on the character of God, God’s plan for our lives and how to recognize that plan, we have studied individual books of the Bible.  Generally, it is a meeting of Christian men to have an open discussion about a variety of Biblical topics. While it has structure, the inmates appreciate the opportunity to express their opinions and open those opinions to discussion, correction or refinement of those opinions and friendly debate on issues, always keeping the scriptures as the final authority in the interpretation of problems, issues and decisions that we each encounter in our walk.

I would love to be able to scatter pictures of these activities here among the text, but photographs are difficult to get in the prison.  As you enter the prison facilities, there is a sign that reads – “No Photography beyond this point.”  There is a general rule of no photography inside the prison, but we have occasionally been given permission for special circumstances or events. I have included one of these in this message.

Driving in Honduras

Check out Gary's entry below and keep in mind a few things. First notice that driving and riding are NOT the same as it might be here in the US on big interstates. Gary spent much of his life on the road in a car logging many miles of driving managing significantly sized sales territories in his sales career. But THIS driving is truly a test of his faith!! A few more of the reasons that prayer for them is so critical when they are in country. 

ITINERARY AND TRAVEL TIMES AND DISTANCES

Day 1 - Tuesday - left 6:00 AM from Santa Lucia. Arrived in La Ceiba approx 6:00pm. Overnight in La Ceiba (469 km - approx 9+ hrs driving and 12 hrs on the road.)

Day 2 - Wednesday -  Visited La Ceiba Prison. Overnight in La Ceiba

Day 3 - Thursday - Left La Ceiba at 7:00am, and drove to La Provenir, visited the prison, then drove on to Tela. Visited the prison for an evening graduation.  Couldn’t find an open restaurant for dinner.

Day 4 - Friday - Got up early. On the road by 7:00am. Drove for approximately 4-1/2 hours to Yoro prison in the mountains.  Held a meeting for graduation at Yoro.  Drove to San Pedro Sula, arrived by 7:30am Got take out pizza for dinner. Stayed at the Casa de Arcos.

Day 5 - Picked up by 7:30am. Drove to the prison at Puerto Cortez, had a meeting and graduation ceremony in the morning.  Visitation day for family.  On the road driving 4 hours.

Day 6 - Picked up by 9:00am drove back through Tegucigalpa to Santa Lucia, the home of the Rammer family.  Arrived home at 3:00pm after driving for six hours.

Total driving time since we arrived at TGU on Monday - approx. 30 hours in six days.   Averaging between 30-35 mph!!!  NOTE:  drive time included rest stop breaks and meals so we actually were driving faster than 30 mph.  Allowing time for stops and lunches, - estimated we averaged approximately 43 mph.

Driving is a particular challenge.  First, there are few hard and fast rules.  Secondly, the road surface in many areas is unreliable and potholes , ditches and natural and man made speed bumps can appear almost anywhere.  About the time you get your speed up to 50 mph there will be a ditch across the road or a large pothole and you will have to slam on your brakes in order to avoid breaking an axle or destroying a wheel rim.  

 Since there are no rules, people pull out in front of you when you are going 50 mph and they make no effort to accelerate to speed, but rather drive right in front of you at 20-25 mph.  It is a real test of your Christian principles, and I am just thoroughly grateful that I am not driving because I think my outward expressions and behavior would not reflect my faith.  Herasmo and Erasmo seem to be infinitely patient and forgiving, I like to think it is because they have grown used to these conditions and these drivers, but I believe instead that they are truly more forgiving and tolerant than me.

Standing Room Only: Tela and Yoro Graduates Spread the Good News!

The travel log for the blog today comes from Gary's records in March as they continued their visit in Honduras. Take note of the way God used the very graduation ceremony to reach those inside the prison walls!

On Thursday Evening, we visited the prison of Tela. This was a relatively new prison with the program, and new to us this time . Our volunteer Francisco has been coming here for about 4 months and has already got a group of about 80 men participating. The original chapel room was only about 15 by 20 and with the implementation of the Prison Fellowship “The Prisoner’s Journey” and OMS’s “Train & Multiply” program, the meetings have outgrown their chapel!

For the “graduation” program on this night when we visited, there were approximately 75 graduates.  There were about sixty graduating from TPJ and fifteen inmate leaders graduating from the Train & Multiply Program and being prepared to take this to the other inmates within the month.  

The total attendance at the meeting, held in the open air yard of the prison, was approximately 150-160 people.  There was seating for approximately 75-80 and then standing around the walls and the remaining open area there were approximately another 50-60 individuals, and THEN there were others who were watching from the windows of their cells that looked out on the yard from both the first and second stories.    

It is of note that among those graduating from the program were 15 women from the women’s prison there at Tela.  These women and fifteen of the other graduates are the inside leaders who will be teaching the program to other inmates in the weeks to come.  This is an example of Train & Multiply at its best.  Even when none of the outside volunteers is able to get in to the prison on any given week, the program continues and the Gospel is spread to more and more individuals and leaders from within the prison population.  

                              ______________________________________

Friday morning, March 9, we left the hotel at 6:00AM and began another trek down the shore and then up into the mountains to visit the prison at Yoro.  This is another smaller regional prison where Pastor Francisco has been able to begin the program and 25-30 inmate leaders were graduated including two or three women from the local women’s prison at Yoro.  Again, we overflowed the chapel and there were dozens of other people who were not yet involved with the program who were gathered around the open air chapel, two or three deep.  While the attendance in the chapel was probably approximately 50-60, there were an additional 50+ standing outside the chapel for the entire graduation and encouragement service.  

Following our departure from Yoro, we drove until 7:00PM in order to return to San Pedro Sula where we spent the night.  Departure in the morning is for 7:30AM and we are off bright and early to Puerto Corte’s on the Gulf of Honduras where there is yet another of the regional prison centers here in Honduras. 

La Ceiba - Honduras!

Gary and Diane spent the early part of the month in Honduras. For the next few weeks we'll take a look at their visit and what God has been doing in their ministry. Let's dig in with Gary's travel log for their trip out of the mountains of central Honduras and to the beautiful coast!

On Tuesday morning, we departed the home of Erasmo and Nora Ramirez at 6:00AM and drove for the entire day, arriving in La Ceiba after passing through El Progresso and San Pedro Sula and along the northern coast of Honduras to the city of La Ceiba.  We arrived at approximately 6:00PM.   La Ceiba is located on the Caribbean coast.  We stayed at an old Hotel called the Art Deco Motel of La Ceiba for two nights.  In its day, it was probably a grand old hotel, but it has seen better days although it looked like someone was trying to bring it back, but the prices were right and the accommodations, although not exceptional, were okay.  We walked out on a pier, ate a late supper and went to bed exhausted!

Today, Wednesday, March 7, we departed our hotel and went to see the Prison at La Ceiba,  it was within a short walk from the hotel and in fact was right on the beach itself.  Like most of the visits this week, it was all new territory for us, and part of the program that began just four months ago when Pastor Francisco joined our team at the coaching training we gave on our last visit in November of 2017.  La Ceiba was a developing program.  There, the inside leadership has begun the Train and Multiply Program and there are approximately 25 inmates that are enrolled in the program who will graduate in approximately 6-8 weeks.  There was a great deal of enthusiasm and wonderful music before some encouragement from Herasmo, Pastor Francisco, and they even asked me to say a few words to the group.  There was probably a gathering of 45-50 men plus the six of us, in a room not much more than 15x25, we were all crowded, but we were all there to give thanks to God and to praise Jesus as we learned what it means to live for him and serve him.

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On Thursday morning March 8, we checked out of our hotel and arrived at the prison  of El Provenir just outside of La Ceiba by about 9:30AM. Unlike many of the other prisons, this was in a rural setting in the woods. We drove off the main road approximately three miles on an almost impassably rocky road, past field after field of Pineapples.  Once we knew what we were looking at, we discovered that much of this region is pineapple producing country.  

When we arrived at the prison, we were greeted by inmate leaders and were taken to the chapel.  The Chapel here was called “Christ Who Breaks the Chains Chapel” a very fitting name for those in prison.  We all had an opportunity to address the “congregation” and speak a few words of encouragement to them regarding their situation and their salvation.  This was a smaller prison, and we had only forty or fifty people in the meeting, but they were enthusiastic and every one of them is enrolled in the sequence training which includes The Prisoner’s Journey (in Spanish is La Peregrinacion de los Prisoneres, or LPJ)  This Prison Fellowship program brings unbelieving prisoners into the church or chapel and lasts approximately 6-8 weeks after which, they are invited to continue with the OMS program, Train & Multiply.  The T&M Program takes new believers from their expression of faith to a growing, following and serving relationship with Jesus.  

After an additional drive of approximately three hours, we checked in at our hotel and went to the prison of Tela.

Gary Shares Prison Ministry Outlook for 2018

Each year in our family, we pick a WORD as a topic or issue on which to work in the coming year.  My areas in need of work seem to be boundless, but this year I selected the words Focus/Prioritize.  It is so easy to get distracted by many worthwhile projects and events and fail to concentrate on where God seems to be leading you 

As I look ahead for the next year, our focus needs to be on our Honduran partners and their work in the prisons in that nation.  In the past years, they have been our focus and their work there is reaping a great harvest in the prisons in that country.

They have even been sharing the same discipleship material in the neighborhoods in Tegucigalpa and they are seeing satellite study groups starting up and entire families are being involved in sharing the good new of Jesus Christ with their neighborhoods and places of employment.

Our focus however remains on the prisons which have been part and parcel of what I have been doing now for seven years or more, starting here in the United States. God has certainly taken us on a journey - our mission work starting with a trip to Mexico in 2012 and including in that trip, (what else??) a visit to the prisons in Mexico!

It is interesting that now, almost six years later, that same trip is leading us to return to those beginnings.  The pastors and missionaries we worked with on that trip are now expressing interest in taking the gospel into that same prison and others and have indicated their interest in the Train & Multiply program that has been developed so successfully in Honduras by the faithful volunteers there.

God is good and His plan always surprises and amazes me.  He can take people and experiences of the past and bring them all together to set new directions or loop back around to include past experiences to set new paths in continued service to him.

Diane and I feel so very blessed to have the privilege to serve in what ever manner we might, wherever He chooses.  So whether it is now to include Mexico, or some other location, so long as we are of sound mind and body, we are excited to do what we can.  

We continue to thank you all for your prayer and financial support.  Without it, we could not serve with the frequency that we do.  

                                                                                            

GOD BLESS YOUR 2018!

GARY AND DIANE

Less like a Mission, More Like Family

Well, a new year is upon us. We are now looking forward to another visit with our ministry partners in Honduras. They really are more than ministry partners. They are our family! If someone would have tried to explain what our relationship with them would be before we met them we would have never understood. That first trip we were very apprehensive. We had never met them at all. No pictures! Only names! In fact, we worried needlessly about what we would do about a flight delay or cancellation. How would we let them know? But as He has with every aspect of this ministry, The Lord has taken care of us. We immediately were accepted into this wonderful serving family and made to feel very welcome. We are blessed to know many in their extended family also. So you can see why we are eager to return to visit them. It is a wonderful renewal of our friendship as well as the additional blessing of seeing the fruits of their labors in the prisons.

We are looking forward to visiting new areas of Honduras where new programs in the prisons have been growing. On our last visit we met a new volunteer pastor who will be working in these new prisons in the north of Honduras by the Caribbean Sea. The Lord provided this man in answer to our prayers for more volunteers to cover areas of Honduras that are too far away for our country coordinators to travel to on a weekly basis. As I said earlier, He has provided all we have needed for this ministry to reach the prisons of Honduras.

When we were in Honduras last, we had a three day seminar for all the volunteers on coaching. This would be helpful for them in working with their leaders in the various groups in the prisons. One thing we are praying about is that the finances would be available in the future for a retreat for the volunteers. They would gain such encouragement from each other by just getting together. They are spread out over the whole country and do not see each other regularly. We know and have faith that The Lord will provide in this area also. He has been so faithful in providing what is needed in the past.

When people ask us how long we will continue to serve in the prisons of Honduras, Gary and I say, “As long as the Lord allows!” As long as we are blessed with our health and ability to travel, we count it as a privilege to be a part of the Lord’ s ministry in the prisons of Honduras.

Thank you for continuing to pray with us,

Diane

Reflections

Before Gary and Diane ramp up for their next trip in early March, we thought we would ask them to share some reflections on a number of things. Diane starts us off this week.

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!

The Last of Honduras 2017

This will be the final episode from Gary and Diane for 2017. The post today closes out the details of their trip in November. Gary, Diane and all associated with their ministry hope that you had a blessed Christmas and will continue to follow their journey in 2018. Please continue to pray for the growing body of believers in the prisons of Honduras and for Gary and Diane as the continue to follow God's call to go. Blessings for a Joyful 2018!

November 10

Today we got up very early to begin out trip to the Prison of Choluteca. It took us over 3 hours of pretty difficult travel to get here. The road was very twisty with only 2 lanes. We crossed a beautiful mountain range that was comparable to our mountains out West.They are a continuation of the of the Sierra Nevada Mountains from California and Mexico.The closer we got to Choluteca, the worse the roads got. Very bumpy with lots of potholes. This is why they asked us not to come during the rainy season. The roads are almost impassable then. Now it is hot, dry and dusty.

When we got pretty close to the prison we picked up two of the volunteer pastors that are from the Nazarene Church. They are the leaders of the program in the prison of Choluteca. There were three pastor volunteers total. One spoke a little bit of English!

It is very hot here in this city. They warned us that it would be and they were right! Herasmo comes here about every two months or so. They said that it was not as hot as usual, and we thank the Lord for that blessing! After traveling through the town, we turned on a dirt road. This road took us to the prison of Choluteca. It was very bumpy and seemed to be made with river stones. This went on for about three miles. A very slow go. At some times, we scraped the bottom of the bus on the deep ruts. As we drove back this road we saw small homes with clothes hung over wire fences to dry. Sadly, they were getting dirty with the dust we were stirring up. There were busses and trucks on this road too. It was really only a single lane, so you had to pull over to let people pass. There are always children and dogs wandering around the houses, the same everywhere here in Honduras.

When we finally got to the prison we were escorted through the gate. They took our passports and gave us a round wooden coins with the number of the box where they put our passports! Kind of like a mail box with many slots - right out in the open! But there was an armed correctional officer beside it. After we left that station, we went to a room for the pat-down. Yesterday at the prison only the men were searched. But today, there was a woman correctional officer for the women. Nora and I were the only women.

We were lead through the open yard of the prison to a small space with the typical plastic chairs and asked to sit down. Thankfully there were a few fans that made it bearable in the heat. Before we got too comfortable they asked us if we wanted to see the men who had just begun the Train and Multiply Program in another block of the prison. So we left with an escort and Herasmo as our translator. We were told that these eight men were policemen on the outside so they are kept in segregation. They are just starting T&M and are very excited to be learning and sharing the Gospel. The place they were meeting was little more than a cramped narrow hallway with just enough room for some plastic chairs! They each told us what the program meant to them. We were very touched. As always we assure them of our prayers for them. It is amazing to us how they  receive our visits but the fact that we are willing to come means so much to them.

Then we were lead back to our original meeting space. There were about 15 men who were the leaders of the Train & Multiply Program through the whole prison. This is a relatively small facility. Housing about 700 men and 30 women(who we did not see) but with only room for 300 hundred. Many have to sleep on the concrete floors. This is not unusual for a Latin American Prison.

These leaders have the ability to move throughout the other areas on certain days to spread the Gospel and do training. We were blessed to be able to hear a testimony from each man. Thankfully Herasmo translated for us. We knew what each one said and were we're so touched. Gary and I both got to speak a few words of encouragement to them and tell what a blessing they are to us. We both could feel the Spirit of the Lord touching our hearts with each testimony. After the testimonies, they gave us pop and cookies. There were a few who could speak English, so we were blessed by being able to speak to them.

It was an exhausting day. But we are so blessed and encouraged by what the Lord is doing in this prison of Choluteca. They know that The Lord has not forgotten them and neither will we. Please keep these men of God as n your prayers. In less than 6 months the Lord has made wonderful progress to a saturation with the Gospel in this prison of Choluteca.

November 11

Today we left the hotel early for our visit to the Prison of Nacaome We all traveled together in the bus we always ride in. Thankfully it has air conditioning as it very very hot there. But of course, there is no air conditioning in the prison! 

We were lead back through the prison after the usual pat-down to enter. The room we went to was very crowded. Thankfully, again there were some fans, but it was still extremely hot. I guess it could have also been that these men were on fire for the Lord! Their worship was very enthusiastic and full of love for Jesus! Perhaps that added to the heat!!

This facility was smaller than the last ones we visited. With about 300 inmates it was still very crowded. The Prisoners Journey Program has been finished there. Now it is time for the Train and Multiply to start. There are about 60 leaders signed up to begin the program. They are really full of enthusiasm as are the pastors who come to visit on a weekly basis.

We all spoke words of encouragement and blessing to them. We really look forward to seeing the progress they will be making in their walk of discipleship with the Lord.

At most of the prisons, the inmates make various items to sell. This gives them a way to earn money to give to their families. At the prison of Nacaome, they were really persistent in their selling ! They were selling purses that they crocheted. So Herasmo and family bought us some beautiful gifts for a remembrance and to share with our family.

Even though we would have liked to stay longer to hear some testimonies from the men, we had to leave. Another ministry was coming and they only permitted one ministry visit at a time. This prison also does not have any cooperation among ministries as some others do. We are praying that will change and all can work together for the good of the prisoners.

Even though it was really, really hot there, we were blessed what what is happening there. We pray for these men and the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives to help them share the Gospel.

Another Episode from November 2017

Diane shares the next two days of their journey as more are changed by Jesus in the prisons and in the neighborhoods of Honduras.

November 8 

Today we returned to the National Prison of Tamara to visit another class. It was held in their library, a very small space for the number of people. There were approximately 40 men in attendance. They were the leaders for the Train and Multiply Class. These leaders will in turn be training the next group of leaders. And this is where the multiplication come in! Herasmo spoke to them and introduced us. 

Then Herasmo interviewed Gary about our role in this program. Gary explained that we simply obeyed God's call on our lives and brought this program from OMS. At the end Herasmo asked if there were questions. Several men expressed their gratitude to us and sent blessings to our family and church. One thing Gary mentioned was how happy we are that the evangelicals and Catholics are working together in this Train and Multiply Program to reach more people with the Gospel. Gary mentioned to them a quote from our pastor. He says The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things. We know that we can agree on the main things and this will reach more people with the Gospel. I got up and told them what a blessing they are to all of us and that we are praying for them. Herasmo also passed out some placemats that our daughter Carrie and her Sunday school class have done for us to bring as gifts. They are just done on plain white paper but they are done with love and contained beautiful artwork and meaningful scriptures. They were very touched at these gifts. There was a lot of handshaking and blessings exchanged. 

As we were leaving, there was an inmate, not part of the program, standing at the door. He had lived in the United States and wanted to speak English with us! It is nice for us to be able to actually speak with someone. Most of the time we speak in our broken Spanish! Again, it was another blessed day seeing what the Lord is doing in the prisons of Honduras!

Thursday Nov 9

Today was our last full day here. Nora, Erasmo and Herasmo took us out to lunch to a beautiful restaurant overlooking the city. We were there before at night and it was beautiful, but even more so in the daytime.

After that they told us we would visit a house church on the outskirts of the city. This church was started by a young couple from their church who also participated in the Coaching Training last weekend. The restaurant was very high up above the city. The neighborhood where the church plant was located was also very high above the city. The roads were not as bad as the ones going into the Prison of Danli, but they were steep and very curvy. We picked some family members up on the way, then we traveled to their house. It was very nice but very remote and on a steep road. Erasmo was able to use his driving skills to get us in and out of that area!

This young couple, who we knew from previous times in their church, are leaders in this new house church and are using the Train and Multiply Program. It turns out that these people were all family and the young couple have been sharing the Gospel with them because that is what we are commanded to do! This in itself was exciting, but even more so when they started sharing testimonies of how Jesus had changed their lives. The young man who was the husband shared his testimony and it was powerful! He was drank alcohol so often and in excess that  he could not hold down a job and lost much in his life. When he came to know the Lord his whole life changed! He began to share his faith with the rest of the family. Now they all have testimony to share! Not everything is perfect for them, but their trust is in Jesus. It was such a blessing to see what God is doing in the neighborhoods of Honduras as well as the prisons! 

Lord willing, someday soon we will have a saturation project here just like the one in Colombia where the goal will be to make sure every ear has heard the name of Jesus.

Real World - Danli Prison: A MUST READ/WATCH

Consider something. We are heading into the shortest days of the year. At the same time, one of the wonders of the season is the warmth and twinkle of Christmas lights and candles and outdoor displays. If not for the darkness, those lights would not bring joy. They'd be dull. 

Less than a month ago on the way home from the airport after Gary and Diane's last trip to Honduras, Gary mentioned a Youtube video on one of the prisons that they had visited. I found it and experienced a new level of respect for what they do and PERHAPS a new level of trust for the mission that God has called my parents to pursue. Below you will find an old travel log entry from their 2016 trip to Danli Prison and then below that, you will find a link a the documentary.

Today we visited the Prison of Danli. It was only in the discussion mode the last time we were here. We left the house at 7 and had a lot of traffic going down the mountain into the city. It took almost 3 hours to get to this prison. The roads were very curvy - which is nothing new - and also they were in much disrepair. At times we had to almost stop to pass over the holes!

We stopped to pick up Pastor Briceno, who has been working tirelessly in Danli and other new facilities. Because of the distance, it is a blessing that he can visit these far away prisons. We witnessed three separate graduations from Train and Multiply, with more to come soon. There were about 180 total men in the T&M Program with about 50 graduating today. It was such a blessing to be there for this blessed event. The men appreciate the fact that we are able to visit them. But we are very blessed by seeing what the Lord is doing in the prisons here. They feel they are forgotten, but new life in Christ gives them strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

As we were leaving the prison, we got to speak with the warden (not the term they use), Erasmo and he have known each other a long time. I noticed a Bible laying open on his desk and that was special in itself. But then he shared his testimony with us. He was an adult when he became a believer and the Lord spoke to him in a dream to get his attention. It was very dramatic. He shared the The Lord called him and then promised him safety in the very dangerous job that he does. So he is very supportive of bringing the Gospel into Danli, and seems to be grateful that the program is changing lives throughout the cell blocks.

It is so moving to see the enthusiasm of these men for the Gospel. They do not have much here on earth, but they have the hope of salvation.

Sadly we have no pictures of this wonderful celebration because cameras and phones are prohibited in the prisons here.

The documentary is 43 minutes but even a quick hop over to take a look at parts of it should be sufficient - although it is quite interesting if you have the time.

Danli Prison Documentary

It is difficult to believe that these two things could be happening side by side in the same prison. And yet very literally, that is the truth. The 2016 documentary and the Train & Multiply program were happening at the same time. And in a prison population of 700 inmates (per the documentary) 25% have been through the training. THESE are the things we miss if we are only watching the regular news and channels like Discovery!! These are the stories that go untold. Jesus is alive and well in the darkest of places.

So the next time you drive past a holiday display at night that makes you smile, offer a prayer that all around the world, Jesus CONTINUES to light up the dark places with HIS SCANDALOUS LOVE and His dedicated hands and feet.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

As we wrap up the first weekend of the official holiday season, we hope that you had an opportunity to gather with family and friends and share a long long list of gratitudes with one another to celebrate Thanksgiving. Gary and Diane got back from Honduras just  a few weeks ago and here is the first of the updates we will share to get you completely caught up with their ministry in time for the holidays. As we share the movement of God they are seeing, would you begin to pray about how God may be moving you to make an end of year gift to their ministry? Prayers are always topping their list of needs.

Monday, November 6

Today we were excited to visit the new prison of Juticalpa! The program has been there for about 6 months. It is very difficult 3 1/2 hour journey from Tegucigalpa! And the last 40 minutes, there is almost no road! We thought many times that we might get stuck and I was wondering who would push us out!! Herasmo did some very skillful driving to keep that from happening. Pastor Briceno is the one who regularly visits Juticalpa . In the initial stages of the training, he visited weekly. Now he visits twice a month. Since he has trainers inside and nearby the prison to monitor the training. He typically comes by bus, and then after the bus drops him off  he travels by cab or motorcycle over the very rough road to get to the prison. We are all blessed by his dedication.

We will be looking forward to seeing many new prisons beginning T&M by the time we come again in a few months from now. We are so blessed that God has answered prayers for more volunteers. 

He did it more than we could every imagine! Amen!🙏

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 & 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 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.

All over the rest of the prison, programs were being held at the in Train & Multiply and the Prisoner's Journey. A total of 980 men are actively involved in these programs throughout the prison since the program started approximately one year ago. One thing that is very 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. We are so blessed to be a small part of what the Lord and His servants are doing in the prisons of Honduras.🙏🙏

Also 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 the 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 brings us together.

Another special thing happened at the end of the ceremony. They brought us pop and two small chicken burritos to eat. So sweet. Herasmo said we should try to eat it because they want to share this special time with us. So the two of us and Herasmo drinks burritos 🌯 with them. It was their celebration and we were honored to share in it. Herasmo knows I (Diane) 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 tell 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 OMS and Prison Fellowship International. And that they are in our hearts and prayers.🙏

An update letter from Gary

PRISON MINISTRY - LATIN AMERICA

As you read this, Diane and I will probably be in Honduras on our latest adventure.  It has been some time since we visited in Honduras (more than six months) because from June through October they have to contend with heavy rains and storms. This year was no exception with a hurricane or tropical storm that we in the States never heard about because of its location in the Western Caribbean where it made landfall all along the northern coast of Honduras.  Additionally, there have been several Pacific storms that have affected the southern coast of Honduras.  They have been dealing with flooding and washed out roads and mudslides throughout the country.  

Despite these hardships and the delays resulting from cancelled trips by the local pastors and volunteers, the real "feet on the ground" in our Train and Multiply program in Honduras, the program is still expanding and growing in numbers of participants and prisoners served.  The combination of the PFI program "The Prisoner's Journey" along with followup with the Train & Multiply discipleship program has been spreading steadily throughout the country and the prison system.  

In one recent conversation with Herasmo Ramirez, our coordinator for Honduras, he related a conversation with one of the Honduran prison authorities who had called and talked with him about our program.  He was very complimentary regarding the changes that it was bringing about in the prisons and among the prisoners with decreased behavior problems and violence.  He asked if it might be possible to consider starting a program where the program might be taught to the correctional officers in the various prisons where the program has been started.  This represents a major break through and reinforces how God's presence in Honduras is working miracles.  During this visit, we will be discussing this opportunity and Herasmo will be letting us know how he and the Honduran team are planning to incorporate the correctional officers into their training schedule.  

As the program has grown, God has graciously grown the trainer base with assistance from local pastors from several different denominations.  It has truly become an ecumenical movement with this wide spread participation by so many churches, pastors and denominations. 

During our visit, we expect to visit five or more new prisons that we have never been in before and see how the newest programs are growing.  We will update you all on our observations and a report on the current status upon our return.  

In the meantime, please pray for our safe travel, for Herasmo and his family (father- Erasmo, mother-Nora), for our key trainers and organizers (Pastor Adis, Pastor Briceno), for all of the trainers and student participants, that they will come to know and serve the Lord Jesus each day in their lives and that they will continue to share the hope of salvation with others.

Blessings,

Gary and Diane

March trip to Honduras

As Gary and Diane prepare for the their next trip to Honduras in a few weeks, here are some of the last of Diane's reflections from their last visit. It is so rewarding to see the thread of the work of God from visit to visit.

Tuesday March 7

Today we visited the women's' prison of  Tamara.  There was no service or training being held because of some problems in the men's prison, which is very close by.  

This was the prison that two years ago we went to and the inmate who was also the pastor almost threw us out! That day two years ago they picked us up at the airport and we went straight to Tamara, about 45 minutes away. We met with the pastor and a few other women and one of the supervising leaders who were very interested. That day both of our country coordinators explained our program of Train and Multiply to the women. The pastor was very negative in her body language and attitude. Even in our limited Spanish, we knew she wanted no parts of this! At one point she said, "All you people want to bring is words and we need more than that!" On the way back to our country coordinator's home, Gary and I thought there was not much hope for the program there. But we were told that they had an appointment later in the week to go back and present the first lesson in Train & Multiply to a small group, including the pastor. But The Lord went before us and softened the heart of the pastor. By the time the first lesson was done being presented the pastor was practically in tears, saying, "This is just what I have been praying for. A way to communicate the Gospel and teach discipleship."

So that is the background story of this prison. Now two years later there are over 100 women in the T&M program and it is still growing. Last year when we came to visit they had outgrown the space that was allotted to them for worship. They showed us that they had land right behind the chapel to enlarge it but only some of the building materials necessary for completion. 

Through the cooperation of many ministries, the rest of the materials were compiled. And today we got to see the finished chapel! It is large enough to accommodate all of the women in the program with room for their numbers to double. We see the Lord's hand of blessing on the Women's Prison of Tamara. We are blessed to be a small part of His hands and feet.

Wednesday March 8

Today started out slow. We got to rest in the morning and work on our Spanish. Herasmo told us we would leave at 2pm to meet with a pastor from The Church Of God who is working in the prisons of Danlee and Comaugua.  Pastor Jose is now doing The Prisoners Journey in these two prison. This is more of an evangelism program. Then in the next two weeks they will graduate and begin the Train and Multiply program. He is a wonderful and enthusiastic man of God who has been called to prison ministry and has been working in the prisons for about four years. It was a pleasure to meet him and to look forward to the next visit in November when we will be able to visit his programs. In The Prison of Danlee there are 10 women and 60 men inmate leaders trained. In Comaugua there are 40 inmate leaders trained.

Along with his prison ministry, Pastor Jose is starting up a church plant in the community of El Samarano. There he is praying that the Lord will provide a building so that he will have a place to train leaders. Pastor Jose is also asking for prayer for his health and strength so he can continue to work for the Lord.

After our meeting, at a coffee shop, we drove Pastor Jose to the Honduras Bible Society. We learned that the Pastor who is in charge there is the one who introduced Herasmo and Pastor Jose. They have also supplied many Bible to the prison programs that are running the T&M program. 

It is so beautiful to see Gods people working together.