Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Prison Break!
The service at the prison went well last night, but you know nothing would be complete without a little drama...
As previously mentioned, it rained yesterday. So in the middle of the preaching, the electricity went out. We were in a room with 2 windows which were covered by bars, and it was night time. It was pitch black in that room. Several of the girls beside me instantly began praying. I guess they thought the prisoners were going to attack us. I was waiting for the prisoners to run towards the door shouting"Free at last, free at last! Thank God Almighty, I'm free at last!" About 30 seconds later the lights came back on, and we continued with service, but some of those prisoners looked a wee bit disappointed. :)
But to be serious for a moment, the service was great. This is the second time I have been to this prison, and it was awesome to see familiar faces from the previous service. In prison, it is rare to see the men show emotion, so you very rarely have a shout 'em up or weepy service. However several men did come to the make-shift altar with tears in their eyes.
God's grace amazes me. The people that we would normally shun or think unworthy of God's love is exactly the ones he wants to go to. I stood and wept over the souls in that service. I wondered at what point in their life did they stray? When did they start making bad decisions that landed them in jail? Thank God that even though we are all born into sin, He has paid the price for our salvation! Even in earthly bondage, we can be free!
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!
As previously mentioned, it rained yesterday. So in the middle of the preaching, the electricity went out. We were in a room with 2 windows which were covered by bars, and it was night time. It was pitch black in that room. Several of the girls beside me instantly began praying. I guess they thought the prisoners were going to attack us. I was waiting for the prisoners to run towards the door shouting"Free at last, free at last! Thank God Almighty, I'm free at last!" About 30 seconds later the lights came back on, and we continued with service, but some of those prisoners looked a wee bit disappointed. :)
But to be serious for a moment, the service was great. This is the second time I have been to this prison, and it was awesome to see familiar faces from the previous service. In prison, it is rare to see the men show emotion, so you very rarely have a shout 'em up or weepy service. However several men did come to the make-shift altar with tears in their eyes.
God's grace amazes me. The people that we would normally shun or think unworthy of God's love is exactly the ones he wants to go to. I stood and wept over the souls in that service. I wondered at what point in their life did they stray? When did they start making bad decisions that landed them in jail? Thank God that even though we are all born into sin, He has paid the price for our salvation! Even in earthly bondage, we can be free!
Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!
# posted by 99 Blogger @ 4:57 PM 
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Sounds a little eerie to me! I think I would have been like those girls around you, I would have been praying. It is great how God gives different people the desires to do different things. I would probably never like going to a prison.
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# posted by 
: 8:04 AM, May 18, 2007
: 8:04 AM, May 18, 2007 << Home
