Prison

We just got back from Choir Tour today. Wow, did God do some amazing things this week! We pulled many 2-a-days as far as prison presentations go, so go us! God gave us the strength and the efficiency to do so.
I wish I could tell you all about our experience at Angola. Angola is Louisiana's largest state penitentiary, with over 5,000 inmates. It used to be called the bloodiest prison in America, but that concept is quickly changing to the bloodiest prison in America: covered by the blood of the Lamb! No joke. They have 71 inmates on "death row," which we drove by. Very emotionally evoking. Anyway, they have begun to call it LIFE row, because so many of the men on death row have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour! Amazing. It's hard to fathom, actually!
The other thing that really impacted me was to see a guy that looked just like a guy that I go to school with; in fact, one of my friend's best friends. It of course was not him, but the similarity really scared me. It "put a fire under my butt" as far as witnessing is concerned. I really need to call this guy and tell him about this, as I feel God wants me to. I am not really sure of his salvation. Maybe that's why the Lord put this guy in that room that we sang in. Who knows, but God.
So many amazing things happened this week. God really blessed our efforts and many came to know the Lord through our "Mirror Image" presentation. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below! Even from inside the prison walls. Guys, its a humbling expereince to say that one of the places I've felt the Holy Spirit most intensely is inside of America's worst prison. That room was filled...it was like the Lord had his hands right on top of us. He did! And to see seminary graduates locked up in there for LIFE, but with the joy of the Lord as their strength and obviously so. That did something for me. Indeed, we are new creations in Jesus Christ! This past week was spent with some of the most hardened criminals, adult and juvenille, in the nation. And God was with us. Angola is forever in my heart. Praise the Lord!!!!!
They have missionaries inside the prison there at Angola. I don't mean a chaplain. I mean, the inmates who have graduated from seminary through the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (most who are in there for LIFE) are allowed to minister to other inmates. They can travel to other prisons, while still incarcerated, I might add, and share the love of Jesus Christ. They are in PRISON! God has truly given these men a purpose. If they are inside the razor wire and can do that, what can I do outside of the prison walls for the Lord, Jesus Christ? The call to missions has clearly intensified, and I know that God has used this expereince to tell me this. I feel it too! Amen.
There is so much more I wish I could tell, but words would never do a lot of it justice. As the Lord leads, I'll "fill in the blanks" later. Amen (translated as "So be it" in Latin!)