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Our county jail is consistently overcrowded. Seven men have escaped in the last few months.
A new county jail is almost finished. It seems like it won’t be finished soon enough!
Yesterday was cause for concern. The officers moved our ladies from Ward 16 into Ward 15 which is smaller and previously was a men’s ward. Bill and I were concerned that there would be total chaos so we stopped in last night to check on the ladies.
On my drive to the jail, I called a good friend and asked him to pray for us. Knowing that someone is actively thinking of us while we are in jail and holding us up in prayers does wonders for our ministry.
He asked, “So what are your expectations when you get in there?”
“I don’t have any, ” I replied. “Prison ministry is like living a life full of ‘God surprises’. I will just go and see what kind of surprises are waiting for me tonight.”
Bill and I walked into Ward 15. We were definitely surprised. The ladies were busily scrubbing the walls of the showers and scrubbing the shower curtains. The floor looked like Moses had been there parting the Red Sea… and they were laughing at each other as they cleaned.
The move was a good thing. It gave them new purpose in a dreary place where purpose is stripped from them. It gave them a sense of moral and teamwork where selfishness runs wild. It gave them a sense of adventure….
I love surprises.
Love always,
Rachel