I Spent Today in Prison

I just returned from speaking on Forgiveness Brings Freedom to inmates in the women’s prison. Dew4Him ministries put on an awesome, A-1 quality retreat for these women, complete with skits, music, a potter throwing clay pots, and a home cooked meal of barbecued chicken and homemade pies. So many inmates had signed up, the prison had to draw names, because they couldn’t fit them all in the gym.

They wear different colored uniforms to designate their sentence length, under five years or five years to life. The majority wore the color that represented the longer term. Some look so young. Some looked old. They expressed such gratitude and were so responsive to the teaching and worship. Honestly, it was one of the most alive groups I’ve ever been with. They worshiped joyfully, listened attentively and responsively, and stood and cheered their gratitude for all of us who had participated.

Twice the guards stopped everything to have an inmate count.  The inmates would leave their seats and line up for the count to make sure everyone was still there.  The second count came between worship and the last talk.  One prisoner said, ” I had almost forgotten where I was.”

I was most touched at the end when some individually approached and asked me to pray for them. When the prayer ended I couldn’t help but notice the tears streaming down each one’s face. They wanted to live good lives, be good moms when they are released, and want their children taken care of while they are away from them. One said her baby was turning two this month.

Maybe you would like to pray for these women too. God knows their names and needs. They have the same longings you and I have. Many haven’t had the resources and support we’ve had. Pray for the one who is released this January, and has no place to go. Our God is able to to exceeding abundantly beyond all we can ask or imagine!

Debbie

More From This Category

A Hard Lesson and New Children’s Picture Book

A Hard Lesson and New Children’s Picture Book

I'm delighted to introduce my artistic son Brant Wilson and his new children's picture book. Today he shares a lesson he learned and how it relates to his book Look What I Found. Here's Brant.  My friend and I spent months planning a seven-day hiking trip in...

read more
Israel at War: Prayers, Hope, and Heartache

Israel at War: Prayers, Hope, and Heartache

“Have you seen this?” Larry held out his phone displaying a news flash announcing that Israel had been attacked. I stared at the screen, rereading the words, not wanting to believe what I saw. Swallowing hard, I whispered, “Deb and her husband are leading a team there...

read more
Launch Party and Free Gift!

Launch Party and Free Gift!

“What can we do to bring you out of hiding?” My extraverted friend said with an exaggerated sigh. “I’m not hiding,” I said. “I just don’t like being the center of attention.” Building up to the release of Little Strength, Big God required stepping out of my comfort...

read more

1 Comments

1 Comment

  1. stephanie sudano

    LOVE your new blog. and LOVE the beautiful picture at the top of your page:)

Refreshing Faith Blog

Pin It on Pinterest