On Tuesday we arrived at the Ladies Prison Ministry (pre-trial) well prepared, with speakers, projector, laptop and resources, ready for Church.
We have a weekly congregation of 120+ and things have been going very well there; Pastor Mildred our door-opener continues to pave the political way past a mixed group of wardens; some supporters of ours and some firmly opposed to us.
Either way the LORD's hand is moving in that place and we once again saw His Spirit move ... this is what happened.
We were delayed at first and were sent to a side courtyard to wait for security checks and access. We felt that there was an atmosphere of negativity so we began praying for the LORD to release us. Caroline received a vision of a dark cloaked figure who was trying in vain to reap wheat that kept on growing back; we prayed in the Spirit and held our position firmly, knowing that 'He is our sheild and rampart'. Shortly afterwards...release and access granted; we walked down the many passages into the belly of the prison, to work for Jesus.
Setup was different because an electrical point we relied on was broken; in fact I was getting pretty excited because there was so much resistance that I knew that the LORD was going to break through all the frustrations and move in a mighty way.
Worship was utterly amazing, tears were in the eyes of the prisoners, hands were up in worship of our King and hearts were softened ready for the word...I need to add at this point that when we first started at the prison, there were no more than 10 committed christians...I felt the LORD's hand on me as I preached; I knew that He was deeply touching hearts and souls.
There was a moment of silence and I asked for everyone who had already had a tangible, undeniable experience of receiving the LORD's forgiveness and Living Water over the last 3 months to raise their hands - there was about 100 ladies hands up. 100 LADIES !!! The feeling of Jesus' love was massive. The confident hands were up high and we were all pretty overwhelmed by the sight of 100 soldiers standing to attention for Jesus their Saviour.
We prayed with 9 new ladies who gave their lives to Jesus; tears were everywhere when a lady's wrist was healed. She had been suffering with pain for some time; her joy was infectious. We prayed for a warden who received healing from a headache and a blocked sinus...more tears and joy.
Deuteronomy 11: 25
" No man will be able to stand against you. The LORD your God, as he promised you, will put the terror and fear of you on the whole land, wherever you go. "
We left feeling so encouraged by the love, joy, forgiveness and other fruit that has burst forth from what most people would consider to be a dark and hopeless place.
We have now begun discussions to grow to a hall that has 500 seats. We give Him all the praise and glory for the lives He is touching.
CHRIS
