Is God your Father?

Today we received a letter from a man we have been working with for four years and he said the following: “I see the Lord as God and Savior, but not as a father. In my heart I believe that I never will. Does this thinking affect my salvation status?”
My friends, this young man has never had a good father figure. His father mistreated his mother for many years and has been in prison, as well. Do you think it will be easy for him to know God as his Heavenly Father?
In fact, he also said in the letter that we have stuck closer to him than his own family these past 4 years. We continue to encourage him to see God for who He is. May our Heavenly Father continue to reveal Himself to our friend!

Something to consider…

Today at the Volunteer Appreciation Day at Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution, one of the other volunteers spoke these words:

“It is only when the inner man is changed profoundly, that the outer man can be changed permanently.”

How does change come about? What are the needs of the inner man? How can those needs be met?

We have found it a privilege to share Jesus and ourselves with those longing for hope and purpose, joy and love. Love cares enough to open your heart. Love is a decision that results in action.

Would you consider opening your heart to an inmate? Pray about it. You could make a difference in someone’s life.

Can you picture this?

We simply do not have the words to express what we felt when we heard a group of incarcerated men sing the following lyrics in a song by Chris Tomlin:

VERSE(1):
The splendor of a King, Clothed in majesty- Let all the earth rejoice, All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light, And darkness tries to hide-And trembles at his voice, And trembles at his voice

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, How great is our God

Before this second verse, you are pushing back the emotions that have crept into your throat:

VERSE(2):
Age to age he stands, And time is in his Hands-Beginning and the End, Beginning and the End
The Godhead, Three in one, Father, Spirit, Son-The Lion and the Lamb, The Lion and the Lamb

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, How great is our God

CHORUS(2)
Name above all names, You are Worthy of all praise And My heart will sing how great, Is our God

Well, by now that which was in your throat has now turned into tears in your eyes as they repeat the first chorus. It’s really all over but the crying:

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, How great is our God

We praise God that those who have made poor choices can be redeemed and sing praises to our God!

Frustration!

Last week we received a letter from H., an inmate asking me (Carl) to come so he could give his heart and soul to the Lord, with my help. Although he’s at Green Bay Correctional, a prison we don’t visit very often, because of his urgency, I made plans to see him yesterday.

Driving the 70 minutes from Fond du Lac was fun because Spring has finally sprung in Wisconsin! When H. came to the visiting room, he could not stop talking about what God is doing in his life! He truly had already given his life to the Lord, but said to me, “there is something about you that made my life do a 360.” He wanted me to pray with him.

But, after 20 minutes of his non-stop sharing, our visit was terminated because of a practice tornado drill! We did not get to pray together. He was not as discouraged as I was. In fact, he was elated at the visit, albeit short. He begged us to come and give Bible Studies there in Spanish. Oh how we wish we could! Please pray for God’s way of answering his request, and for my next visit.

More Olson’s Opportunities--

The Lord is encouraging us to follow-up with inmates who have gone to a variety of county jails & prisons farther away. Please pray for His provision as we plan visits to a number of them.

We have been on the leadership team of a local church that is planting a new Spanish work with a Venezuelan pastor & his wife that we have respected for many years. Pray the team makes Latino contacts whose hearts God has prepared. The opening service is on May 4.

Gracias for your dedication to the Lord, shown through your prayers & gifts to prison ministry.

A transfer to medium security

Martin was to be transferred this week, with mixed feelings. He’s excited to be going to a facility where he will probably enjoy more freedom in his daily living, but concerned about the adjustments that come with a change. Even though he has taken a stand for the Lord, many mock. Pray for Christian friends.

Working through the consequences of their actions…

Several of our “disciples” are suffering at this time—Ileana, who continues to agonize because she can’t “be there” for her children. She also has seizures, may have lupus, & is being tested for cervical cancer. Even though she is seeking God, these stresses leave her wanting only to sleep...Luis, who is really being intimidated by another inmate & needs God’s protection…and two struggling with anger--Candie & N.

There are also those who are rejoicing this week—Erica, who was just released, has a Christian couple to stay with, as well as a job—a good start! Joshua, even though he’s still in seg, was allowed to meet face-to-face with Carl, instead of using the video-phone, which is very difficult to communicate through. Estrella, who is headed home in several months, desires to grow in her walk with the Lord…Noe, deeply touched by the worship songs, is humbly responding to the Lord. Please join us in praying for God’s direction, wisdom & hope in each of these situations, & many others.

Gilda's Story

Thanks for your special prayers 2 wks. ago as I translated for the Taycheedah chaplain in a meeting with Gilda, who is incarcerated & has cancer. The result was that I was allowed to schedule a weekly meeting with her. However, last Wed. she collapsed shortly before our time & was unable to come. Chaplain sent for a bilingual Bible & Spanish materials for her, & also arranged with the powers that be for me to go to her housing unit (unprecedented permission!), every Wed. as long as she wears a mask, since her immune system is so compromised. While together yesterday, she shared more about her family, her favorite Bible passages in the Psalms, & her prayer request that her compassion appeal be granted.

Living by the Spirit!

One of our gals has been working very hard to walk away from 2 different sins that have been a habit in her life for years. We praise God for what He is doing in her life! And here’s another victory: Today, while on her way to our one-on-one with her, she was confronted by one of her “old friends”. This “friend” was very mad at her because our gal has walked away from her and the things they once participated in. Then, suddenly, her friend hit her square in the face. Well. . . if you knew our gal, you would know that she does NOT take anything like a hit in the face. A year ago she would have fought with her “old friend” to the end! And then she would have gone to seg. But today she WALKED AWAY! Can you believe it? All praise, glory and honor to our God & Savior!