Prison visit

IWhen Jesus asks us to visit those in prison, seems we always receive some sort of weird look.

Today, I went in the Crain unit. This was my 5th prison mission trip. Each time I go I make new friends, get closer to Christ, break for hurts I have never heard before, and leave feeling filled up. 

This time was truly different. As I got to know some "first timer" counselors, I learned almost all had been incarcerated at one time. 

I had complimented a new friend that her teeth were so pretty. She responded by telling me she had just had her bridge put in and thanked me. As we talked more, she revealed her story...years of meth abuse had taken her teeth down to nothing.  She had lost every single thing to meth and eventually was put in prison. She found a true relationship with Christ while incarcerated.   She was so grateful for those who visited her while in prison, that she knew she would one day do the same thing.  Today her marriage and family are fully restored!  She is a licensed drug counselor and a grandmother. This was her first trip back into prison as a free in Christ, messenger of His power, grace, forgiveness and restoration. 

Another first timer told me she felt like she would throw up coming down the street we turn down.  I asked why of course. She told me she had been in this very prison after self medication landed her in prison. She survived thanks to Jesus and the Christ followers who visited her. She was going in for the first time as a free woman to show women they are indeed God's child and can be made new!

One friend drives from Mississippi to love on incarcerated women. She was once in prison and today has a great job, a great marriage and a restored family.  While in prison she found a real relationship witn Jesus. She is a real friend and shows up by writing inmates and sending books from Amazon she knows will offer personal support to each wound. Yes, I did say drives from Mississippi.

I have another great friend made while on a prison mission trip who is now on the board of directors of Girls Given Grace. He was once incarcerated.  He now has an incredible ministry and offers a home for men released from prison or even homeless men who want off the streets and want to follow Christ.

Going inside the prison means the church has left the building. We go in their world with respect knowing we are a visitor. We expect huge things from Jesus and all share what great things we witnessed or hard things we don't understand as we prepare to go to our homes. We all leave equally feeling emotional and uplifted. 

Can you imagine being surrounded by 6 women who were once in prison and because they we're shown love, surrendered to Jesus and now go back to that hard place to say "Jesus saves"

I pray judgement stops and we open our hearts to the reality and responsibility as a believer knowing  These souls need to speak and be shown off for God's glory entirely. Do we believe as we should or do we judge and try and figure out a hidden agenda?  Why do we spend hours discussing the weeds and almost no time showing off the wheat?  I do not get it and never will.  

Unbelief has such a price. Who wants to be hindered?  My husband And I just talked about family who really is not interested in our ministry or the things we see God doing.  But family, friends, man cannot clog our hearts and minds with  unbelief!  I urge us all to rebuke doubt and nay-sayers. 

Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. (Mark 6:4-6 NLT)

This is a picture of a few of us going in. You can tell we are so excited. After amazing prayer time with all counselors and Mike Barber leading us - we were filled by Jesus and ready.