Aug.14-16, 2006 Living the Christian Life 100%

Columbia—We now have 2 classes back-to-back there. Picture a 6’ by 8’ room, with the 8 of us sitting around a table designed for 6—this is Class 1. These guys love the worship portion of class, and sing out! These are the words of their favorite by Luis Gabriel Mellado: “With all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, with all my strength, with all my being, O God, I want to love you, I want to show you that I love you, Lord. There is nothing more beautiful than your presence, nothing holds me like your grace, with love and mercy you gave your life for me—and now I want to offer my life to you.” Powerful!

Three of them asked us to get them a pen pal. This is a big thing for E., who is in for life and by his own wishes, has had little contact with his family since incarceration, because he feels he let them down. Now he is reaching out—is there a brother in Christ who wants to be a prison pen pal to him??

M. noted that he has been really studying the Bible for a whole year now, and that the more he’s been studying it, the more he is tempted to sin, and that the Christian life is hard.

The class is memorizing Acts 10:43: “Everyone who believes in him (Jesus) receives forgiveness of sins.” L. had returned to class after several weeks of not coming, because of a past problem with another member of the class, D. It was no “coincidence” that the scheduled lesson was on forgiveness! We pray L. and D. will forgive each other, just as God has forgiven them.

In Class 2, M. and S. prayed with Carl to trust Christ! May we have wisdom in discipling them. Sometimes reading is a challenge for these guys, pray this won’t keep V. from coming back to the study.

As we drove home in the dark, we prayed the Light of the world would shine into their hearts and set them free.

Dodge—One of the men asked to sing 2 Christian songs for the class of 12. Then we studied how to be led by God to make wise decisions, an important lesson. After reading Ephesians 4:25, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor.”, there was great participation in a discussion about how to put this into practice by resisting the urge to lie in order to look good to others. Just as we were closing class, a young man asked Carl for counsel regarding being unequally yoked, which will have to be answered next week, please pray.

Fox Lake—We had a another pastoral visit with L., who is maturing in his walk with the Lord. We have also visited with his cousin F., also a Christian, who is at another facility. L. wishes F. was there with him, but sees God has His purposes--we believe that L. is learning to depend on God more this way. He spoke of his parents in Puerto Rico having taught him to get down on his knees, close his eyes, and pray to God. He was very happy that he’d been able to read a book on video to send to his 4 yr. old son.

Waupun—After a mix-up last week, resulting in our not being able to enter for our regular class time, today we got the blessing of 2 new guys in class—C., who knew the Bible, and M., who looked like he wished he wasn’t there—pray for his salvation. Pray also for creative ideas to encourage unity, perhaps through a change in the set-up of the tables. M. had been transferred to Racine Correctional. J. was out to court—last week he had asked us, “If a person has not given their life 100% to God, will He hear and answer their prayers?” J. appears hardened, but admitted his trust and anger issues, which are common in prisoners. Pray he will read the Bible, truly hear what God is saying to him, and surrender “100%”.

Taycheedah one-on-ones—T. and R. (2 of the 3 gals I meet with) are moving to a different dorm (this is an answer to prayer for them), where they will begin an AODA (Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse) Program. Because of its intensity, I may not be allowed to continue meeting with them. Pray for God’s will for their growth in Christ!

Taycheedah—6 girls came to class and studied about the world system being against Christians. C. asked prayer for her boss at her prison job, who is always “hard” on her. C. also receives much persecution from other inmates there because of her strong stand for the Lord, but is concerned because her daughter J. is now in county jail. E. told us she will be moved soon to a minimum facility. She desires to grow much stronger in her faith, but is easily influenced by non-Christians. Pray for her choice of friends & for a Christian mentor at minimum.

Prison Aftercare Network meeting in Milwaukee—A special speaker discussed the lay counseling program offered at Elmbrook Church. An explanation of the pre-release pilot project that will soon begin in 5 men’s facilities & 1 woman's—brochures will be given to the chaplain of each institution, which they will pass on to inmates to inform them of resources available upon release, such as help with a mentor, housing, transportation, employment. We make new contacts and learn so much at these meetings.