The Lord sets prisoners free

The atmosphere was bright and alive as my team and I walked into the prison for a second time. Most of the men were standing up dancing, playing drums, singing, smiling, and clapping their hands. Once we joined in my heart was full of joy once again. There is just something about this place. Even though we were in the middle of a prison singing with only a few drums…it was one of the most amazing worship experiences I’ve ever had. There is something about being in the middle of Africa away from the rest of the world and worshiping with these men. There is such a joy that overwhelms you. Although I do love my church, its nice to escape from what feels normal and worship without all of the “fancy lights” & ect. It just goes to show the Lord is present always..You don’t need to do anything to receive his presence. HE NEVER FAILS.
 
My friend Adam and I were chosen to speak to these men. As Adam was called up to speak all I was thinking to myself was.. “I’m next…Lord please let the spirit speak through me.” As I walked up to speak a “word of encouragement” all worries slipped my mind. I just began to speak to them as if I was having a conversation with them. I read to the 2 Corinthians 4:16: (one of my favorite verses.)
 ^“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
 
After that I began to share with them my thoughts on this. I explained to them:
 
God is so good and miracles happen daily. This life is filled with regrets, anger, sadness, and evil & sometimes its hard to see how blessed we really are. The Lord wants us to understand that we don’t have to do “life alone”, that through him everything is going to be ok. Even though life sometimes makes us feel like giving up, God only lets such things happen because it makes our spirit/faith stronger in him. We experience pain, loneliness, and dissatisfaction so we don’t get caught up in this world. The temporary things in this world that satisfy us are nothing compared to what God has in store.
 Life isn’t about the temporary things that make us happy its about realizing that God gives us joy to show us just a glimpse of how happy we will be in heaven. Life is never going be fulfilling enough. We will always want more. Its like he left out a little piece in us because he wants us to realize he is the only way to feel complete and only through him we receive pure happiness and joy. Once we realize this our hope will not come from the temporary things in this world but from God, knowing that he died for our sins and one day we will join him in heaven.

Even more testimonies were shared with us, about how the Lord has shown up in the lives of these men..even since last Sunday. Many shared that the Lord answered their prayers..and healed multiple sicknesses. At the end 8 men stood to their feet to accept Jesus as their Lord & savior… even more came up to receive the prayer of healing..and many came to the front to receive prayer because their court date was this coming week.
In the middle of all this I spotted the boy with the “piercing eyes”.  (As I had mentioned in a previous blog..Im just going to call him “brother”). His face was still hardened and didn’t seem receptive to anything. At the end the men were aloud to come and speak to us if they wanted to. Once he said this I darted near the door so I could speak to as many as possible. Out of nowhere the next in line was “brother”. As he walked up to me he reached out his hand to great me..and out of no where cracked a SMILE. Although all I wanted to do was give him a huge hug and ask his name..I just smiled back and said the only thing that would come out of my mouth..”God bless you”. My heart was FILLED with joy. I got him to smile!!!! I can’t wait to see what comes next. I’m praying BIG for this boy. That the Lord would continue to work on his heart. That he would begin to smile more..and maybe just maybe…he would accept Jesus into his heart.
 
Pray with me?