July 5 & 6 studies

Wed. am study in Waupun:
E., a Christian, was back at Bible study, after 4 mo. in the hole.

A. asked us to greet a friend named N. in the Dodge study, but later we found N. had just been transferred, so we weren’t able to pass on A’s greetings.

Carl decided to completely change the topic of the study, because of a question that G. & M. brought up regarding worship of idols. Even though G. says he has given his life to the Lord, because of their church background, it is ingrained in them to pray to the Virgin of Guadalupe. We need God’s wisdom in dealing more with this in the week to come.

Carl received a warning from the guards, not to “hug” the inmates as they left the study, only shaking hands is allowed.

Wed. pm. One-on-One Discipleship Studies:
R. did not show up for her session, the guard said she was “unavailable”. Last week she had felt lonely & beginning to be depressed. When that happens, in the past she has given in to the urge to cut. Perhaps she was put into “observation”. Please pray.

Thurs. am. study at Taycheedah:
C., our strongest Christian gal, is nearing “burn-out”. She is constantly ministering to others, & is emotionally drained because of the enemy’s attacks. Pray for courage & strength to continue following the Lord.

During class, the chaplain came in & spoke privately to Carl, informing him that M. had been disrespectful during a chapel service & wondering how she behaved in our class. Last week M. told us that she had one foot in the Bible & the other in the streets. In the end, she was allowed to stay in class, but a guard came & took S. back to the hole. Pray these gals will get serious with God & surrender all their lives to Him, for His changes.

Thurs. pm. study at Dodge:
R. sang 2 songs that he had written for the Lord. The words were very descriptive of the old way of life he had followed, then how Jesus heard his cry for forgiveness! He invited class members to a good church in S. Milw. where they would be “more than welcome” after their release. Like most, he misses his family. His wife is expecting a baby in Sept.

J., an inmate at Waupun, is now at the Dodge Infirmary, after having another cancer surgery. Pray for God’s will in Carl visiting him this week.

Thurs. evening study at Columbia:
D., new member of our class, asked us to pray for his freedom—that is, his inner freedom! He is bilingual, but is learning to read the TEE Bible study lessons in Spanish.
This group of men really appreciate the worship songs. We also feel they respect us, as there are many rules we must follow for security reasons, which they want to ignore, but instead they are encouraging one another to do what is right.

Please join us in prayer:
Tomorrow we attend an area meeting of a new after-care network, focusing on practical & spiritual helps to those incarcerated & to their families.

We have been invited to a friend’s home. Topic of discussion: spiritual warfare.

Pray for God’s guidance in our scheduling of pastoral visits, in between our regular Bible studies. Distance is a big factor, but there are Spanish-speakers waiting to hear the Gospel. We want to be faithful to followup those we promised to visit.

Ask God to connect us with others who desire to minister in prisons.

Please continue to pray for Him to send Christians to fill the chaplain openings in the Wisconsin prison system.

May we always stay in close fellowship with the Lord, so that we practice what we preach, for His glory, not ours.