After DJ’s devotion (see earlier post) we left for Limon in a peaceful drive, stopping only briefly for a vista view, lunch and a change of clothes in a coast guard station. At the prison, we waited for over an hour outside the gate, waiting calmly to be searched. We saw women bringing food for their husbands, and watched as a few prisoners did chores in the open yard.
Once inside, our escort guards took us to one of six or seven pavilions, each having a very large dark and dirty concrete walled room, surrounded by a few smaller rooms with only natural light streaming through the open, glassless but barred windows. The men were half naked, sweaty and though some were distant or macho, most were grateful that we would shake there hand and greet them. We were all on high alert, depending on and expecting God. I will let the stories tell themselves below.......Afterward, we had dinner and when we returned back to the hotel, Scott DJ, Hosuea and I played ping pong. It had been an intense day, but full of God's grace and treasure.
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Three weeks after we returned to Indianapolis, the mission team came
back together at Bill and Linda’s for a reunion. We took a few minutes
to answer the question “What was the key thing you remember?” ===================================================
- “I remember God gave us more time in the prison. I thought that was cool. I also like how many prisoners really listened to us as we poured our hearts out to them. The best part was when many of the accepted the Lord.” DJ
Prison officials let us stay an extra hour and 1/2....unprecepdented!
- “My prayer was to see the prisoners though the eyes of Christ. The first man I shook hands with was a young man. I remember looking into his eyes and being overwhelmed with love and seeing a man that God had created and that God cared for tremendously. One man that was shirtless and sweaty (all of the guys were this way as it was hot and humid), I patted his back, I remember the smile and look on his face as he turned his head and looked into my eyes. How much power does a simple touch have? What an amazing way to communicate love and acceptance.” Scott
- “One of the things that struck me is the amount of prayer that was conducted while we were there. People were praying while others were praying and when someone was praying others were laying hands on the one praying.” Amanda
- (from a word given through her to the prisoners) “It’s an honor to be here. I feel so small to be speaking to so many great men. I know all of you are great because I know all of you have a piece of God inside of you. And I believe God is wanting to awaken that spirit of Himself that is inside of you. I have a lot of respect for all of you because you are men. And god created men to be leaders. No only for your country and your city, but most important for your family. Through the belief in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit you all can be the men God created you to be, and we want to pray for you.” à Scott prayed the prayer of salvation. Katy
- “When DJ was giving his testimony about God being our Dad, about how He Loves us and wants us to be His children despite the choices we make to run from Him. A prisoner behind the bars watched without blinking, tears in his eyes, obviously touched simultaneously by the pain he had caused God and the grace he was offered. One of the many that received God that day.” Brad
- “Seeing the faces of the prisoners, to see their eyes and the shame and desperation, helped me realize we’re not all that different. We all want to know we’re loved, that someone cares. It changed my heart towards prisoners to see God’s heart towards them.” Anita
- “I loved hearing the voices of the inmate when they prayed the sinner prayer, it echoed out of the prison bars, like Angels singing in heaven.” Linda G.
- “I can remember the look of hopelessness in many of the eyes of the prisoners. Yet I could see the look of Hope though as the testimonies were given and men were saved. I will often wonder what will become of many of the salvation stories, how will God use them, what will they do with their lives after prison? I am just glad to have been a messenger for the Lord!” Bill G.
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