Dec. 23 - I praise Jesus for allowing us to be a part of what the Holy Spirit did today

 

 Ministry Partners,

Today we woke to rain and after a 7 o’clock breakfast we were off to the first of two prison crusades. The drive would take over an hour and it rained most of the way while I asked Jesus to please hold back the rain at the prisons where we were going, and He did Alfred slept a lot of the way to the prison as he is still not feeling that great.

 

   The flowers at our hotel are beautiful

When we arrived at the men’s prison, we had to wait for a bit as the very nice Deputy O.C. was getting the inmates together. It was quite a walk to where the inmates were but as I walked around the last corner into the open area where they were assembled, my heart filled with joy at the sight. There is just nothing like seeing 1,800 inmates sitting in front of you, waiting to hear the message the Holy Spirit has sent you to deliver!

I just had to praise God as I heard them responding to the salvation prayer and the forgiveness prayer. Alfred and Aaron both said they noticed that men were crying from the salvation prayer clear to the forgiveness prayer.

After watching them apologizing to each other, as they sat down, I asked them, “What does your heart feel like now?” The responses were, “Peaceful, happy.” Smiles covered their faces and their eyes reflected just how their hearts felt.

One inmate after the salvation prayer said, “Right now my body is in prison but my spirit is free, even if I die I will go to heaven.” After each inmate shared a testimony, I gave them a hug and blessed them and that brings applause and laughter from the other inmates. Since I am 80 years young and mama to everyone, I can get away with that.

As we were walking out to leave, on a path that they created for us through the seated inmates, many still wanted to shake my hand and verbally thanked me in English for coming and asking us to return. Even the guards were expressing their thankfulness for our coming, saying they needed us and asking us come again.

Then we walked the short distance to the women’s prison accompanied by two inmates that carried our things. Again, we had to wait for them to gather the 120 women while two additional inmates brought the sound system from the men’s side to the women’s area.

As soon as I start to share my testimony, I have the women’s attention as well as the attention of the very   Deputy O.C. who stayed with us. They quickly know that I am not there to preach AT them but rather to share how God rescued me from a sinful life and gave me hope and a future.

Just like the men today, they responded to the salvation invitation. But when Alfred, acting as my abuser, and I were doing the forgiveness object lesson, where he looks really mean at me, I couldn’t help myself and burst into laughter. After explaining to the women, I composed myself and we continued the object lesson. It was wonderful to see/hear them choosing to pray and forgive someone else of themselves. They also had a fun time reconciling with each other for an argument they had had. Waves and smiles followed us as we left.

It was a most WONDERFUL day. I praise Jesus for allowing us to be a part of what the Holy Spirit did today in the hearts of the prisoners and guards.

Then we were off to find somewhere to stay and we found a nice Catholic place. I like to stay in their guesthouses/hotel as they are always clean.

I told you yesterday that God had opened a new opportunity that I would share with you when it had been confirmed. Well, it has been, tomorrow we are going to speak at a church in a refugee camp. I understand that it is a very diverse camp with refugees from many countries including Arabs. It is going to be a very interesting day!

Please pray that the Holy Spirit will do a great work in the hearts of the refugees, that the IRM team would have a fresh anointing and Alfred would feel better. He purchased some medication from the pharmacy here this afternoon.

Thank you partners for your continuing prayers.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

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