Do not be afraid, I am your shield, a very great reward

                                                                                    Gen 15: 1

A Foreboding Place

In the past my visits to prison have always been fraught with apprehension and anxiety. Walking past the surly guards, who always give the impression that they are doing you a great favor by allowing you to visit the prisoners, can be quite nerve wracking by itself. But a greater gloom descends on you when you walk past the bright sunlight, down the stairs into the dungeon-like cells where the only source of light is provided by florescence. Coupled with this is the lack of fresh air. It is truly a feeling of “descending into hell”! These girls are literally locked up in cells underground. As usual, economic hard times also mean that Maids are not being paid their salaries regularly; which in turn means no money to renew their work permits. Those who are mistreated choose to run away from their “madams,” resulting in greater difficulties as they are considered “breaking the contract.”

He is My Shield and My Reward

This day, however, I felt the moment less foreboding. Indeed, I felt particularly upbeat as I claimed the power of the Holy Spirit to be beside me as I visited the cells. For the past few weeks my ministry partner "B" and I prayed that God would prepare the hearts of these young women to receive more than the physical food that we normally serve them. I had with me my EVANGE CUBE “Unfolding the answer to Life’s Greatest Puzzle”. It is something like a rubix cube. It tells in visual form God’s plan of salvation. These women come from various religious backgrounds, and worship many gods. It took some courage, and ‘holy boldness’ to tell them that Jesus is the only way. After weeks of preparing them, last Wednesday, ten women committed their lives to Christ! What a joyous feeling!

"B" and I were so excited that we immediately bowed, prayed, and thanked God. Our plans are to disciple them in the weeks ahead. Some years back, Dan baptized (through sprinkling!) three women in prison. We are not sure if this can be done? But we praise God for His continued miracles. Along with the fruits, vegetables, and noodles, God is using us to nourish them with spiritual food.

Blessings

Sarah

Lebanon