Nov. 18 - The lock would not open to let us out

 Ministry Partners,

It is hard to believe that we have completed our first week of ministry and done 8 prison crusades. Yes, we  have had some hard events/times but those seem minimal to what we are watching the Holy Spirit do in the hearts of the prisoners. And then there have been the "just plan fun" times and yesterday was one of those.

At the end of our crusade we ask 3 or 4 prisoners to share  testimony concerning what God has done in their hearts in the time we have been together. Those testimonies are one of making a good choice the receive Christ as Savior but include the  heartbreaking part of wanting to take terrible revenge when they are released but then choosing to forgiving as Christ has forgiven them. The prisoners have been told that they just don't make good choices for themselves but I tell them the that day proved the they could as they had made 3 good choices for themselves in just the last few hours. The choices for salvation, forgiving and apologizing, taking responsibility for their actions. 

As they finish their testimony I step forward and tell them, " Because I am 80 years old I am Mama to everyone." which brings a laugh from the prisoners the I turn to the prisoner and ask, "My I give you  hug?" The inmate smiles bashfully but says, "Yes." Wait. am I hugging them or are they hugging me. As I give him/her a hug and bless them the rest of the prisoners now realize how much I care for and love them. They tell me they feel peaceful and happy.

Thank you for being my partners and for sending me here to extend the love of Christ to these men and women. As I have said before, "I am having the best time of my life."

Well, 8:30 came and we had heard nothing from Pastor Aaron so Alfred said I needed to make an executive decision. Knowing we had a two hour drive ahead of us and we had heard nothing from Aaron about where he actually was I said we needed to go. It was a hard decision for me to make.

It is a true saying that the roads have deteriorated over the last few years and are having all the pavement gone from many areas of main travel.

We made it to the first prison and were able to enter and drive our van inside to unload the sound system and other items for the crusade. We had done about 2/3s of the crusade when it stared to ran. Some prisoners  grabbed all of our things and ran to a nearby building where we were able to finish the teachings. It is so interesting that as the inmates give their testimony they always refer to something I taught and refer to me as Mama.

We finished and drove "just around the corner" so to speak to the second men's prison where they allowed us to drive our van inside, a very unusual thing. It had stopped raining so we set up outside.So many sad faces in frost of me. The crusade went well with so many responding to each of the three invitations. When we finished I took a photo with the Deputy O.C., who was a beautiful women, for the Commissioner's Report.

But then, as we were to leave and drive out they were unable to unlock the lock. They said the rain had seized the lock. Now Jesus, I am not the Apostle Paul, I REALLY want to leave!!!! It took about 20-25 minutes for them to get the lock unlocked and we were able to drive out.

As we drove away we passed some Chinese construction that was a bit strange. The signage said it was a plant but the digging they were doing were levels down in the earth. Interesting. But the we saw a man and his wife along side their vehicle that had a flat. He told alfred that his jack did not work so Alfred helped him, using ours.

We finally made it do our hotel and Pastor Aaron arrived shortly after. We both had stories to share about our day.

Tomorrow we do two more Prisons and I am very tired so I will say goodnight.

That nine would be lost,

Arlene