I Went to Prison

 What a title, huh? No, I did not break any laws or receive too many speeding tickets. I have not been pulled over by the police either. I am a law-abiding citizen. You may still be wondering why I went to prison.

Don't worry. I will not leave you hanging for too long...

This past week, several members from our church had the privilege of going into the prison via a women's volleyball tournament with the Inside the Lines ministry to share the Gospel. It was my second year in a row to go. The first time I was really nervous. Not because of the prisoners necessarily, but because I am shy and generally have a hard time talking to people I don't know.

Our church's theme for the year is Hold Fast. Each quarter has a special focus and each month has its own nautical theme. The first quarter was about faith. For April, we were to Launch Out Into the Deep, by fasting one day a week and praying for one hour each week. Sadly to say, for the first couple of weeks, I was struggling spiritually. I fasted from books for the month, but I was having a hard time getting back into prayer. By the last week though, I knew it was time to work on that. I decided to fast from sugar that week. I only had hot tea in the mornings and one soda or tea at night. I knew I was lacking God's power in my life due to a failure to pray. I also knew I needed to pray for our church to receive $500,000 for our building fund. That was our prayer focus for the last week in April. I also knew I needed to be ready to give the Gospel if I was going to go into the prison on Saturday. 

Friday, I had a much-needed prayer walk with my Lord. It was a blessing to my heart, plus a good workout for my body. (I do not get enough exercise due to sitting at a desk a lot). I printed a soul-winning guide and felt ready to go minister to the women in prison. We had a lot of ladies and a few of our men signed up to go into the prison. I was excited. Last year it was just me, Brenna, AJ, the Washers, and another lady from a different church. But this time we were to have around 13 volunteers. It was going to be great. 

Then the call came... It was supposed to rain Saturday so we had to move it to Monday. Of course, that meant several of our workers were unable to go due to work. But God knew. It did not catch Him off-guard. (Remember: He's the God who told Gideon that he had too many men going to fight and needed to downsize his army.) 

So instead of 13+, we had 8. This time my mom was able to go. She was nervous at first, but I was so proud of her. She was able to have some good conversations with a few of the women. Not only was I proud of her, but later, she told me that she was so proud of me for talking to the women in prison. It was all God's grace, really. There's nothing like hearing a "Well done" from your parent, whether earthly or heavenly.

I even got to play a round of volleyball. I did not do so well hitting the ball back and forth. Yes, I know I am not athletic anyway, but I was still a little embarrassed. Then it came my time to serve. I missed the first serve (Excuse: I have probably not played since last year.😊) But then Bro. Washer, who was acting as referee, said I could have another try since I was one of his workers. I was so excited when I actually made a few serves and got to redeem myself. 

After warm-ups and lunch came the Gospel presentation. Bro. Washer did a good job. We just had to reiterate what was already said. At the invitation, several women came forward. I was able to talk to two of them. One of them was confused and not ready, but the other one seemed interested in knowing for sure. I stumbled through with nervousness, but God will use anyone who is willing. He does the work anyway. I told the girl I was talking to that I was nervous, but she said I was doing good. She had questions about faith but still sinning, so I told her that when we are saved from Hell, we are children of God. We will always have that relationship, but when we sin, our fellowship hurts. She seemed to understand. It was sweet when I was done going over the Gospel plan,  she said, "Okay, let's do this. Lead me in the prayer." I had heard stories, so I made sure to tell her that it was not my prayer that saved her but her heart believing and receiving Jesus as her Savior. When she was done, I asked her what it meant when she got saved. She said, "Once saved always saved."

Satan was really fighting. He has such a hold on these women. He takes joy in seeing them enslaved by sin. He is not ready to give them up. That was made clear. (For us, it's a balance of seeing that they're real people in need of God's love, but also remembering that they are in there for a reason. You can just tell.) But God has always been unmatched. Satan has never been able to fulfill his prideful dream of being higher than God. God's power is able to break the heaviest of chains. The rain can't stop Him. (Jesus calmed the storm.) It seemed to take forever to just get into the jail. Then many of the women had jobs or classes to go to instead on Monday. Some said that they heard possibly 100 inmates had signed up for Saturday. When we got in, the new guard they put in charge had a list of 20 and just with names A-C. By the afternoon service though we had four teams of at least 6. Some others watched. I think we probably ended up with around 30-40 for the Gospel message. God knew from the beginning what would happen. And Satan did not win. The Gospel was preached. Around 10 or so had reassurance of salvation. And one was born into the family of God. Praise the Lord!!! 

And yet, God chose to use me to help water the seed. I'm just awed by that. Awed that God would want to use me as an instrument. I'm humbled by it. I still struggle with being a witness and will continue to if I try to do it by myself. Jesus said, "Without me, ye can do nothing." I have found that to be true. Maybe only one got saved that day, but God has always found even one worth His sacrifice. After all, He left 99 in the fold so He could rescue the one that was lost. If that does not touch our hearts, we need to beg God to break up the fallow ground. Only the soft, good ground will bear fruit.

I know this turned out to be a long post, but I just had to share. If not to encourage you, then at least have that reminder that God wants to use me if I would simply willingly yield myself to Him. 

Keeping my heart so that others may keep theirs through yielding to Him...

Elisabeth Kristine