Dearest Friends in Christ,
I could smell the
stench… and hear the singing right before the huge massive doors swung open
at the Rusuzi Prison in Rwanda. I was warned what to expect, I have been serving
in the U.S. prisons for over 7 years – there shouldn’t be any big surprises - no
problem, right? I knew it would
not be like the prisons here, but what I saw and experienced was far more than
I could have ever imagined…
When the vast doors opened, I was escorted into the
courtyard of the prison holding 3,500 men who were incarcerated for all levels
of crime. The front-page headline of the Rwandan newspaper heralded; “Witchdoctor
Skins Boy!” These are the very men God has called me to visit.
As I
took my first step inside, I felt I was walking into one of those old “Where’s
Waldo” books. Imagine, thousands
of faces everywhere… faces lining the hallways, faces crammed in the courtyard
and faces trying to peer through the small prison windows…
…They were all curious to see what this
white haired, middle-aged, white woman was going to share?
I wish you could have seen it! The weathered faces of the tough
prisoners, miraculously melting from the power of the God’s Word. After
describing in vivid detail three stories from the Bible, the call was simply made:
“You already have had a
small taste of how miserable hell can be while here in prison!”
“The Good News is Jesus
knows your name, you are loved and not forgotten. One Word from Jesus and all
witchcraft, voodoo and demon worship can be cast out of your life. Jesus is coming through your prison
today and wants to forgive and heal you of your darkest sins. Raise you hand
high if …”
What happens next
still takes my breath away! During
the prayer, I witnessed hand after hand held high saying, “YES” to Jesus from
the Truth of the Gospel. These same hardened faces were weeping from their
brokenness and yet were filled with joy at the same time. Jesus was unlocking
the chains of sin… and if you listened closely, you could hear the chains
collapse on the prison floor.
Countless weary hands rose high in the air, surrendering their lives
over to Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They crossed over from death to eternal
life that day. Wow!
Don’t worry… we did not
leave them there to fend for themselves.
S.W.I.M. (Shine On The World International Ministries)
had prepared months before I even arrived. Not only did they make preparations with the Government, but
they also had a worship band in place with electric guitars, speakers,
microphones etc. SWIM provided
translators and transportation, housing, water and food. Trained teams were
sent ahead to work with the local churches equipping them to walk alongside
these new believers after we leave.
“I was impressed with how much S.W.I.M.
MINISTRIES accomplished - squeezing every last penny from the dollars that were
selflessly donated
What’s next?
I have been invited to share the love of Christ May
22-June 4th in Nairobi,
Africa to the Juvenile Correctional Facilities, Prisons, Universities and
Churches. I later return August
1-14 to a new area of Rwanda
speaking to the Prisoners and providing basic needs. Our S.W.I.M. team last
year shared the Gospel to over 84,000 people on one trip, bringing needed
supplies to the prisoners and children. Amazing!
“I am
asking if you will join me to save lives in the dark corners of the prisons?”
I need to provide $15,000.00 to go towards supplies
and expenses for the inmates for these two trips. As of 6/5/13 people have generously given from their hearts with $5,400.00. Only $9,600.00 to go.*
(*As of the beginning of August it was all received by generous donors, see post on 8/19/13. Please continue to give as God prompts you for our next trip in 2014)
(*As of the beginning of August it was all received by generous donors, see post on 8/19/13. Please continue to give as God prompts you for our next trip in 2014)
Simply
stated, “I cannot do this without your
help.”
Where does this money go? In order to go into the prisons
of Africa, the Government requires us to
bring essential supplies for the inmates. The Government barely supplies the basic needs for
inmates and depends on the families to provide. No family? It is survival mode for
the inmates and their babies. (Yes, there are children in the prisons of
Africa.)
- Bales of food Bibles
- Clothing Blankets
- Jackets Prison Baby Clothes
Inmates are people just like you and me and
Jesus calls us go to them as well.
Together, will you serve with me by donating to SWIM
Ministries for this life saving mission?
I have a big ASK
and we have a BIG God.
“You are blessed to be a blessing!”
Please make
checks out to H.I.M. MINISTRIES
and send your tax
deductable contribution to:
H.I.M. MINISTRIES
P.O. Box 87
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Most of all I need your prayers… prayers for protection
and God’s power as He speaks through me. Please pray that I would have God’s unconditional
love for these broken people.
Shug
