La Mesa Prison Report- Women

Submitted by Laurie Williams (July 17, 2008)

     Today was a roller-coaster one for the LMP women’s team.  First, we met  to communicate and makes some decisions and pray, it was such a sweet time with the LORD and each other that when we left to go south we were on a high note. 

     When we arrived at the prison, Louise who was the most bilingual today communicated with the guards.  For some reason it took more time than usual to get through the first gate.  Then Louise worked VERY hard at trying to get the second guard to understand we needed someone who could take the deposits we had for three of the women.  We’ve had trouble lately getting their money to them because the new director changed the system.  We had been told by some of the inmates and Chappy that we should be able to make the deposits today.  It took over an hour to get in, get inspected, deposit the money, get frisked and in to the women.  Roller-coaster down.  We were told that the new director wanted to see us after our church meeting with the ladies.  That was a first for us!!!!! roller-coaster up.      
     Then the roller-coaster went faster than ever…we had only 30 minutes to meet with the ladies.  After greeting the gals, Louise led them in one song and taught the lesson on an accelerated schedule.  The lesson was on praying out loud.  Dee did administrative work with the mail and talked with some of the gals.  I quickly communicated with several different gals concerning their deposits and families.  While Louise and Dee worked with the group,  I talked with Alma, our resident Buddhist.  She has a LOT of questions and opinions but we had been praying for her for a solid week because she had given Dee and her group such a hard time last week about her beliefs (or non-beliefs as the case is).  We had prayed that the LORD would soften her heart toward Him,  that she would receive and understand that He loves her and wants her as His child.  We prayed that the LORD would give me the exact words to say with the right manner, tone and conviction.  We prayed that His Spirit would work mightily in her heart. Once again, I can’t tell you how awesome it is to watch God work.  Alma really listened, appeared to receive, and will read the 5 pages of research and answers to her many questions that I was able to complete this week for her.  I included so much scripture for her to look up and I know she will.  Pray that she does DAILY!!!!  I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that she will one day confess Jesus as LORD.  She said she can tell I believe what I teach. Praise the LORD because I do.  She was very receptive and introspective today rather than militant and opinionated and we really praise God for that.
     Nayelly was so pleased to come to church today with clean hair and brushed teeth.  It had taken us forever to get products in to her and last week God prevailed. She loves the LORD.  All roller-coaster highs.
     Please pray that I can talk to Erika next week, she said she is struggling with idols…the guard was rushing us to leave so I didn’t get to ask her any questions.  Also, that I or someone will have a chance to talk to Dania about her life when she leaves LMP.
     Please pray that the couple of Spanish-only speaking gals can find a church service to go to in the prison.  They have started coming to ours and since they need a translator it is too difficult to have different women talking during the teaching, too distracting to the rest of the group.  The tin roof causes the voices to be louder than they are.
     Pray for the salvation of these ladies.  Pray for the walk of the new converts this year -  Erika, Jackie, Teresa, Zilpa, Claudia, Sonia, Maribel, and for those who have renewed their walk with the LORD that they had years ago before prison -  Laura, Dania, Maria.  Pray for others who need Jesus - Roxanna, Perla, Carmen, Vanessa, Jessica, Veronica, Bertha, Karla, and some whose names we are still learning.
      We especially pray that next week, all the things the director, Mr. Carlos Gonzales, told us about getting the inmates $$ deposited easily, and getting in their packages from their families more easily and getting their mail to them will pan out.  He was extremely gracious and kind to us.  He said he is making exceptions for us so we can get this stuff to the ladies. This is absolutely the hand of God at work.  It’s been a crazy frustration AND distraction for us when really, all we want to do is share the love of Jesus with our precious ladies God has entrusted in our care.  We have never had an audience with the director before, we felt blessed.
      We also pray that the lesson will penetrate their hearts since it was given quickly…God’s Spirit can cause it to go deep into their souls and we pray it is so. 
      Pray for the women’s families, that God would minister to their parents, children, spouses, siblings, etc…that His Word will go forth from the La Mesa Prison and reach people in and out of it for all eternity.
     Please pray that next week we will get in not only on time but early and have our full 90 minutes with the gals.  We have been on time each week but have had many different snags getting through…the enemy doesn’t like what’s going on in there.  God is moving and shaking and we stand in awe.

To Him Be Glory Forever,
Amen.

Laurie