“Don’t get used to it”… my mom’s words of advice before I
went to the prison again. I don’t think she to worry about that. I don’t think
its something you can ever get used to. It may get easier, but being in a
prison isn’t something that will ever be 100% comfortable for me. However,
every time I have gone, I have left so incredibly blessed. Last week I went
again to San Sebastian prison. This time there was no group, just Carlos and I.
There was no translation needed, so it was me that had to speak. I spoke about
Ruth and how she chose to remain joyful and positive despite her circumstances.
I was able to share about how I was recently tested in this area. I talked to
the inmates about how almost two months ago my birth dad passed away. It was the
first time I have ever experienced a loss, and it would have been easy to
choose bitterness like Naomi. But because my hope is in the Lord, I was able to
look to Ruth’s example and choose to stay positive and trust in the Lord and
His timing. After I spoke we had
some time to talk to the inmates. One of them approached me and started asking
me questions super specific questions about how I dealt with my fathers
passing. Finally he started to share with me what he has been going through.
Just 4 days before his own father had passed away, and was really struggling
with being able to forgive him for things he had done. This is a topic that is
very close to my heart because I too had to learn how to forgive my father.
Right now I am in the process of looking for a job in the US
(not such an easy task). This is the first time in my life where I don’t have a
plan for what’s next. But if God has been teaching me anything these past
couple of months is to trust in His perfect timing. Like Ruth I can be joyful in a time of sorrow, because the
Lord uses our testimonies to help others. I know God took my father for a
reason at that time and I praise God that I was able to share with this man how
I overcame my struggles with Gods power. I can be thankful for my trials
because I know in the end it will draw me closer to the Lord and teach me how
to persevere.
I know that this man is struggling right now. He is seeking
the Lord, but darkness surrounds him. He doesn’t have much hope or strength
right now. I ask that you would be praying for Jobe right now. He needs prayer
in so many ways but here are ways you can be praying for him:
Protection
in the prison
That
the Lord would raise leaders in the prison to reach out to him
That
he would choose joy in a time of bitterness
That
he can see the Lord’s light in spite of being surrounded by darkness
That
he can come to accept the Lord’s forgiveness in his life and in turn forgive
his father
I also want to encourage you to share your testimonies of
the Lord’s work in your life. It is through these testimonies that we can
connect with others and share God’s love.
No worries... these were taken in a museum that used to be a prison