Merry Christmas from the Olsons!

Greetings to you from Wisconsin! Your friendship and partnership mean so very much to us. We trust you are rejoicing as you consider the JOY that God sent to YOU and to the world. That baby in the manger came to save us from our sins. In Jesus, God was saying, “I love you!”

This year, as we entered by God’s grace into our twentieth year of missionary service, the Lord called us to a new level of commitment, “Come unto me…and learn of me.” (See Matthew 11:28.) Thanks to Him, 2009 has been a year of learning for us.

As we look back to the beginning of 2009, a long time friend had offered an empty house she owned to be used as a new ministry project~ the development of a transitional living home for women being released from prison. The Lighthouse was born! God connected us with a new friend, who joined Tecate Mission, and became The Lighthouse supervisor. DOC policy says we are able to supervise those who directly supervise Lighthouse residents.

As planning began in earnest, we got word from a prison that we could no longer do one full day a week of pastoral visits there. This was a blow at first, until we realized we were emotionally drained by doing them. God already knew, & we were learning.

Imagine all the preparations that went on before The Lighthouse June 6th Open House! Surprise--the first resident came earlier than expected, and soon all four beds were full! We watched God working in their lives, as well as in our own! Then, one by one, three of the women slid back into their old way of thinking and relapsed. One is in treatment, two are in jail, and the fourth is living for the Lord and Carl will perform her wedding. Three new ladies have been welcomed, so please keep praying! He’s been stretching us, allowing us to learn in difficult ways, but for His purposes and His glory.

Weekly we do three Spanish Bible studies in prison, one study at The Lighthouse, six to eight pastoral visits, plus occasional worship services in prisons farther away. Praise God with us for being part of the first Spanish services ever held in New Lisbon and Stanley Correctional, also in helping baptize a Latino believer. We’re learning of God’s faithfulness to His people.

An inmate’s recent decision: T. told us, “I am prepared to give my life to the Lord.” And he prayed to do so!

W., an inmate said: “You are my gas tank! I fill up so I can give out God’s counsel to others who are hurting.”

A testimony from a pen pal to prisoners: “I have been corresponding with one inmate for several months and another for just a short time. In addition, I have been sending birthday and Christmas greetings to several inmates. These men and I take pleasure in sharing experiences, thoughts, and our passion to spread the Gospel.”

A life transformed for the Lord: We called P. our “John 3:16 guy”, having met him in our Dodge Corr. Spanish study three years ago. Being bilingual, he had learned many Bible verses, and had recommitted his life to the Lord. We visited him at Prairie du Chien Corr. before he was transferred twice more, then released. Prison Aftercare Network of Milwaukee helped him transition, find a job and a home church. In Jan. 2009, he was married, and has come “full circle” by receiving permission to enter prison as a volunteer to preach the Gospel!

We thank God for you, and ask for your continued prayers for us in the coming year. Please join us as we look to the Lord with renewed vision for His guidance and victory in 2010.

This Christmas, may you experience and be blessed by God’s personal love for YOU in Jesus!


Carl & Kathy Olson & family

www.carlandkathyprisonministry.blogspot.com
Serving with Tecate Mission Int., P.O. Box 1000, Tecate, CA 91980, 619-468-3355, www.tecatemission.org