Tonight, I've taken a stroll down memory lane to another time and another virus. About 36 years ago, I applied for a job with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The job was in an all-male facility that housed approximately 2500 men incarcerated for every type of crime imaginable. I was smart enough to realize that the environment would lend itself to a certain degree of risk of being assaulted. However, I still needed and wanted the job. My knowledge of conceivable danger was quickly reinforced. One of the questions posed by the panel that did my interview was, "How do you think you would handle being raped?" That's certainly not a question you expect to hear in an interview, but given the work setting, I shouldn't have been surprised. I remember thinking to myself, "I wonder what they want me to say?" After all, I wanted to be selected for the job. My answer was simple, and I confidently said, "I'm sure I would be devastated at first, but life would go on, and I would survive and recover." That must have been what they wanted to hear. And, for the next six years, five days a week, I took the risk of being assaulted, raped, beaten, or even killed. During those six years, two female officers (my friends) were victims of brutal assaults; both were raped and severely beaten. Fortunately, by the grace of God, both survived. Even though everyone was deeply affected, we took those horrible instances in stride, and similar to the military, we chalked them up as hazards that came with the job.
 
In my sixth year, the medical staff performed HIV testing on the inmate population, and it came back 17% positive. That equated to some 425 men infected by HIV/AIDS. They were not in isolation but quartered in the open population throughout the institution. They were only identified to select medical staff on a need to know basis. At that time, there was very little known about HIV/AIDS and no successful treatment regimens. If you became infected, it was an almost certain death sentence. One drop of blood passing from one person to another was all it took. The question I had answered in my initial interview now took on a whole new meaning. You see, I was confident I could live over being beaten or raped. But, it suddenly occurred to me; I might not survive being raped or assaulted by someone who was HIV positive. After that, every day became a more critical life and death situation. I felt like I was playing Russian roulette with my life, and it wasn't a good feeling. But how could I leave? The pay and benefits were great. I had financial security. But, the bottom line question I had to ask myself was, "Is it worth the risk I'm taking every day?" In that situation, I had the freedom to choose whether or not I wanted to take the risk or walk away. I walked away.
 
Tonight, as I am typing this note, I am self-sequestered in my home for an undetermined number of days. I'm here because once again, I am facing a possible risk that might mean life or death. Another virus, Covid-19, has invaded our country and is spreading in exponential proportions. At this point, there's no vaccine for prevention and no successful treatment except to stay away from those infected so it won't pass from one person to another. I have four conditions active in my body: an autoimmune liver disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and asthma. Any one of these, along with my age, identifies me as high-risk for susceptibility to Covid-19. On top of that, I take an immune-suppressant drug to keep my immune system from attacking my liver. That basically makes me a sitting duck to catch any cold, flu, or virus that comes along. Hand washing, sanitizing, and precautions are not new to me; they are a way of life. This particular virus attacks the lungs. Being asthmatic, without any medication to fight it off, the probability of survival becomes less and less. As in my experience at the prison, a considerable risk is presenting itself. But this time, I can't choose to walk away and leave it behind. My only option is to do the best I can to avoid it.
 
But how do you avoid something you can't see? I assume it might be there and take extra precautions. Am I afraid? No. I serve a big God that never leaves me or forsakes me. Everything that is happening now is no surprise to Him. When I first read about the virus in China, I began to pray, and the Lord gave me the knowledge that I should prepare for isolation. I listened, shared it with my family and friends, and began to take action. I've always been somewhat of a prepper, and so for several weeks each time I went to the store, I purchased a few extra items the Lord showed me would be essentials to have on hand. I'm well-stocked on water, food, and medicine. I may not always have what I want to eat, but what I have will keep me alive; oatmeal and beans go a long way. I believe if the supply gets low, God is able and will multiple whatever I have as long as I maintain a spirit of thankfulness. And, I am thankful. I even have a modest supply of toilet paper. Still, if I run out it will be ok, I have plenty of mismatched socks, old t-shirts, worn-out towels and sheets, and a good washing machine. I'm as prepared as I know how to be to remain home-bound for as long as it takes until it's safe for me to go back out in public. I've done what I know to do, and now I have put the rest in God's hands and will stand firm in my faith in Him. I will be fine. Isolation anxiety? Oh no, I may not have kids or family or friends running around in my house, but Jesus is here with me all the time. I'm never alone. And I have plenty of things to do to keep myself busy.
 
No, this is not just about me. Everyone is experiencing significant life changes because of this virus. Life essential supplies are limited, availability is restricted, and income streams seem to be disappearing. Fear and desperation may be trying to invade your thoughts and overcome your faith—stand firm. Instead of worrying and complaining, be thankful for what you have and believe God will provide just as He promised in His word. He wouldn't have told us "to be anxious for nothing" if He didn't mean it. He knows your need - believe in Him as your source. Turn your eyes upon Him instead of your circumstances, and you will see the salvation of the Lord. Remember, Peter didn't begin to sink until he took his eyes off of Jesus. 
 
My prayer for each of you is that you will use wisdom, be safe, conscientious about others, and carefully consider the risks of this awful virus. Take precautions. Stay at home if you can. Yes, for a while, our comfortable routines are going to be shaken and disrupted. Look at it as an opportunity for something new and different. Enjoy the time with your spouse and children. Turn the television off and put the cell phones down. Talk to each other face to face and cherish this time together. Some are saying, "life as we've known it will never be the same." So what? Life will go on, and we will recover.  What we're experiencing is a temporary situation - it's not going to last forever. Pray diligently for the doctors and scientists to have wisdom, knowledge, and insight from God. They will develop a vaccine, and just like treatment regimens have been developed for other viruses, one will also be discovered for this virus.
 
I'm looking toward an exciting future with high expectations. I believe the outcome will culminate in even better things than we've had before. By all of us working together, encouraging each other, we will get through this. Don't be afraid! The Spirit of God is with YOU. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. And He's certainly more powerful than any coronavirus. And don't ever forget, Jesus loves YOU!

A couple of days ago, just before I went to bed, I was perusing Facebook when a pair of photos popped up on my newsfeed. The top photo was a group of camels following one behind the other making their way across the desert. The caption read, “This Is A Caravan.” Below it was another picture of interest; revealing the thousands of people who are participating in the migration from Honduras to the United States. It too had a caption; “This Is NOT A Caravan.” With those images ineradicably imposed on my mind, I realized I had more than fulfilled my daily ration of Facebook, turned off the light, and said goodnight to the world. A few hours later, the Lord awakened me and brought to my attention a simple analogy from scripture that has a similar correlation to the pictures I had seen earlier.
 
In the Bible, there is a remarkable story about Elisha found in the second chapter of II Kings. This particular story takes me all the way back to my Primary Sunday School Class, a green flannel board, tiny cut-out figures, and a delightful teacher who could make those characters virtually come to life. I remember this one vividly because of the effect it had on my young impressionable mind. I also believe this story may very well be one of the most misunderstood of the entire Bible. That’s right, it’s the story of Elisha that involves children, cursing, and bears; not just any bears, but specifically she-bears. The narrative unfolds with Elisha leaving Jericho with plans to go to Bethel. On the way, he's met by a group of young lads (some translations say little children) who mock and taunt him about being bald. In response, Elisha speaks a curse over them and continues on his way. But, looking back over his shoulder, he becomes an eyewitness to two she-bears coming out of the woods, making their attack, and leaving forty-two innocent children dead on the scene. Elisha then proceeds on his way to Mount Carmel. Interesting, to say the least. Can you imagine what the media and fake news could do with that today? My nine-year-old takeaway was simple but far from being scripturally correct. I had several uncles who were as bald as cue balls. I never teased them about it for fear a bear might come and eat me. That seems pretty ridiculous now but for a nine-year-old, what can I say? But back to the point, how does that connect with the pictures of the Caravan from Honduras?
 
First of all, the Hebrew word for young lads, or little children, depending on what translation you are using doesn’t necessarily refer to small, elementary school children as depicted in the Sunday School literature and flannel board characters. I was told, the Hebrew word na`ar in this passage was the term most often to describe servants, soldiers, and young men. And, the same word was used to describe Isaac when he was twenty-eight (28) years old and Joseph when he was thirty-nine (39). If that is so, it seems more reasonable to believe the lads mentioned in this scripture were most likely young men in their mid to late twenties, maybe even early thirties. Try to let go of the impression of a bunch of little innocent school children outside playing ring-around-the-Rosie. That wasn’t the case at all. This was a large, organized group of accountable, young, adult men. It wasn’t by chance they were on the road that day, and they positively weren’t a welcoming party come to meet and greet with Elisha. Instead, their purpose and intent were to turn Elisha away from entering the city of Bethel, even if it meant violence. Why? I don’t think it’s known for sure, but some scholars believe the people of Bethel had been supplying water to the people of Jericho which would have been a lucrative business with a product in high demand. When Elisha purified the waters at Jericho, Bethel obviously lost a substantial source of income. All of a sudden, the accessible supply of water greatly exceeded the demand; businesses would have closed, and significant unemployment would have resulted from the miracle. It’s not hard to understand how the domino effect of a critical economic event such as this could have caused an extreme financial crisis within the city of Bethel. Everyone knows if you mess with jobs, income, and necessary means of supporting the family; people get angry, and most often someone is expected to pay. On that day, unless he turned away from Bethel, it was going to be Elisha. Hhmm. That sheds new light on this story for me. Does it for you? I think it’s interesting that what appears to be the root cause of the discord in this Bible story is very similar to the root cause of the fears and arguments relative to the financial and economic consequences of border control and immigrant assimilation faced by United States lawmakers today. I believe the Lord is speaking and showing us a comparison in this biblical event to what is happening today. The miracle blessed the people of Jericho, but the people of Bethel were hurt by it. Is that not precisely what many are saying is happening in our nation as a result of immigration? Let’s hold that thought and look a little deeper at our Bible story.
 
What’s the big deal about Elisha being bald? In most instances, the Jewish people considered baldness as a reproach. For some like Elisha, it happened in spite of that fact. He must have been prematurely bald because contrary to what we may have visualized by the cut-out character on the flannel board, he was not an old man when this took place. This happened at the very beginning of his ministry which lasted for more than sixty (60) years, and he was in his eighties (80’s) when he died. But, wasn’t that simple teasing that meant no harm? No way. You might say those taunts were the epitome of what we refer to today as bullying. Each shout proclaimed a derogatory, aggressive threat. Again, we see a significant difference from our childhood lessons. It wasn't gleeful giggles and laughter of innocent little children that Elisha was hearing.
No, these were insulting remarks. Even more so, they were intended as aggressive threats; as in, “if you don’t want to die, you better pray for a whirlwind to come and take you up like what happened to Elijah.” If you’ll stop and think about it, the only reason they could have been jeering Elisha to be taken up like Elijah would have been if they intended to harm him and that would be his only way of escape. I believe God is exposing the truth about what happened on the road to Bethel that day. Bottom line, they were against Elisha, and they weren’t making any bones about it. Interesting isn’t it? How can we be so blind to motives behind actions? I’m wondering, do we know and understand the real motivation behind the Caravan from Honduras? Is it indeed a group of impoverished people seeking asylum in the United States in hopes of a better life? Personally, I don’t know and am not making a judgment, but perhaps we should be inquiring of God about this situation. After all, in our story about Elisha, many have believed for a very long time that it spoke about innocent little children who we now realize were, in reality, an angry mob. However, God knows and searches the hearts, and if we go to Him in earnest prayer over this situation, I am confident He will reveal the truth as well as expose the lies. So now let us continue this chronicle with Elisha’s response to the young men of Bethel.
 
Did Elisha honestly curse them?  In our society, we often associate this word “curse” with cussing someone out over something we don’t like or as an outward display of negative emotion. I assure you that was not what happened in this situation. Elisha didn’t lose his temper over being taunted about being bald. He didn’t spew out a bunch of angry, vulgar cuss words at those young men because they insulted him. No, Elisha spoke the Word of God to them. After all, he was God’s prophet on duty that day. What else could he have spoken, or would he have spoken, but the word of God? Elisha is typified throughout the scripture as a very personable person. He wasn't anything like his predecessor Elijah. Elisha was indeed the people’s prophet. The Scripture characterizes him as soft-spoken, kind-hearted, and of a gentle spirit. You might say he was the social butterfly of the prophets; continually involving himself with the sons of the prophets, acting as spiritual counsel to kings, and always in the middle of the affairs of the people. So what did Elisha say to those young men? What does it mean that he cursed them? At the time this story took place, Bethel was the center of pagan worship and idolatry. Jeroboam had sculpted a golden calf for the people to worship in hopes they would stay in Bethel and no longer go to Jerusalem to pay their tithes at the temple. Again, we see a conflict over economics and financial resources. Even though Bethel means “House of God” it’s obvious the people of Bethel were in total rebellion towards God and these young men who were attacking Elisha were putting God to the test. They thought they were being hostile toward Elisha, but in reality, they were showing hostility toward God. Elisha’s response would have been to preach the word of God; expose the sin, give an opportunity to choose repentance and forgiveness, and to explain the consequences of taking the alternate path. He did what any prophet of God would do, he preached the Word in the name of the Lord, and like all genuine messages from God; it was only a curse of judgment as long as there was no repentance. The text for his message could have been and probably was from Leviticus 26:21-23 which says,
 
            "If then, you act with hostility against Me and are unwilling to obey Me, I will increase the plague on you seven times according to your sins. I will let loose among you the beasts of the field, which will bereave you of your children and destroy your cattle and reduce your number so that your roads lie deserted. And if by these things you are not turned to Me, but act with hostility against Me, then I will act with hostility against you; and I, even I, will strike you seven times for your sins." (NASB)
 
Do you see what that says? God told the people the beasts would kill their children because of their rebellion. Isn’t that amazing? That’s so powerful and right on point.  Because look what happened next. Going back to II Kings 2:24 it says,
 
            "...two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty-two lads of their number.”(NASB)
 
Amazing! A little research revealed bears can run between 25 and 40 miles per hour. I’m in awe at how only two bears could chase down and kill or maul forty-two young men; which leaves me wondering about the actual headcount of that big angry mob. Surely more got away than were mauled. Unless of course, the young men didn’t run from the bears. Maybe they were looking for recognition, trying to prove how infallible they were; perhaps it was something like a gang initiation and whoever could take the bear would become the new leader. Who knows? A bear skin would probably have been quite valuable so there may have been some financial incentive at play. Doesn’t it seem like economics keeps popping up in this story?
 
As we continue this comparison, it seems to become even more closely related to the events of today? Doesn’t the open rebellion toward God, the power seekers, the lack of respect for those in authority, and the civil unrest point to the possibilities of trouble ahead? I believe so, and I think God is giving a wake-up call. However, before we get to that, we have another major point to follow. Why did the scripture specifically say she-bears? Well, the answer is found in the scripture, and God tells the people about the consequences of forgetting what He has done for them in Hosea 13:8.
 
            “I will encounter them like a bear robbed of her cubs, and I will tear open their chests; there I will also devour them like a lioness, as a wild beast would tear them.” (NASB)
 
There it is again; God is reiterating the consequences of rebellion. Another thing I read about bears was that there was not a more dangerous animal than a mother bear protecting her cubs. So, our question is “Did Elisha call out the bears?” No, he didn’t. Did God send the bears? Probably. Was it in response to what Elisha had said? No, it was because of the promise God had made in His word of what would happen to those who were hostile toward Him. Do you realize God never wastes effort? He kept His word and protected Elisha all at the same time. I have a feeling those bears showed up just at the right time. After all, you might say Elisha was kind of like God’s cub, and He didn’t take to kindly to those who were intending to do him harm. When Elisha couldn’t defend himself against so many, God intervened, and help arrived.
 
We, as Christians, should embrace this truth. Any hostility toward God and His people will not be taken lightly by God. He will keep His word and punish hostility toward Him and at the same time guard and protect those who are obedient do what He commands. So this brings us to the last question, “Why forty-two (42)?” 
 
Do you suppose there may be a prophetic significance about the number forty-two (42) in this story? The term "little children" is used 42 times in the Old Testament. The children of Israel had 42 specific events or wanderings in the desert until they were finally given rest (Numbers 33:1-50). Forty-two can be created by the numbers 6 and 7, which shows a relationship between humanity and God's spirit as well as a connection between Jesus Christ and the Antichrist. We know the number “42” always seems to represent blasphemy or direct attacks and hostility against the Lord. Revelation 13:5 talks about the Beast having a mouth that speaks arrogant blasphemies and how he will be given authority for 42 months. Interesting. These things are definitely food for thought.
 
When I consider the story of Elisha, the boys, the curse, and the bears; I believe the scripture gives a factual account of an event that literally happened. But, I also recognize allegorical references that can apply to current events of today. I pray the people of the United States do not fall into deception. After much prayer, God spoke the following prophetic encouragement to my heart.
 
            “Wake up. Wake up. Take off the blinders. Don’t accept everything at face value but dig deep in prayer. Appeal to Me to find the motives behind the actions. Do not be deceived by what you think you see. Look carefully. Examine everything. Listen to the words I speak to your heart. My word still stands. It has not changed. I am still against those who show hostility towards Me, but I give every opportunity for repentance. Yet, there are those who mock and scorn Me on a daily basis. Show me your faithfulness. Seek after me. You are my beloved child, and I will guard you and protect you as ferociously as the she-bear protects her cubs. You are about to witness the strength of my arm outstretched. The events taking place have my attention, and I will have the last say in the matter. Have compassion where compassion is needed and wield the sword of My Word against the aggressor who is hostile toward me. Do not be afraid of the battle. Keep your eyes on me, lift up a shout of praise, and see the salvation I will bring.” Amen and amen.
 
I have great compassion for people of other countries who are less fortunate than those of us blessed to be United States citizens. I do not have a problem with people immigrating to this great country who do it according to our laws and are willing to embrace the American way of life. However, at the same time, my opinion is that those who come into this country with a desire to change it to align with philosophies and dogmata of the country they are attempting to leave; should stay where they are.
 
In reading and listening to news reports, it is evident some view the Caravan from Honduras as harmless people seeking asylum while others see it as an angry mob motivated entirely by the intent to create havoc and chaos at a critical time in our nation, and ultimately planning to bring destruction as they cross our border. Personally, I don’t know. But, if that is the case, perhaps God will once again use she-bears to protect His cubs. Maybe. Maybe not. In either case, He has a very impressive arsenal at His disposal. In the meantime, the most important thing at hand is for the Christians of the United States to rally before God with repentant hearts and come into obedience to His word. This is the only way we will remain in a safe place, and like Elisha, be protected when God begins to fight against His enemies.

     Prison ministry stole my heart many years ago. Beginning in July of 2012, once a month, I made the 430-mile round-trip from my house to the Bridgeport Pre-Parole Transfer Facility (women’s unit). Why did I go so far and so often? God said. And, I am obedient to what God says to do. My assignment was to carry the message of the gospel and to speak words of hope and encouragement.
 
     The average attendance in those 60-90 minute meetings was generally between 60 to 85 women. The order of worship was simple: about 15 minutes for lively praise, another 15-20 minutes for specific teaching, and the remainder of the time was spent giving personal ministry. Even though the facility annually recognized my services as a volunteer, the only feedback I got from the women was what I would hear them calling out as they were making their way back to their dorms. “Thank you for coming, Miss Deb. We love you. Drive safe.” These were always heartwarming words to me.
  
     Five years, almost 27,000 miles and 60+ meetings had come and gone since I first stepped into that facility and now on May 01, 2017 this was it; the last time I would walk through the metal detector, be patted down, and then escorted across the yard to the Rec Room. I would never know how God had used the ministry for His purposes or really what He had accomplished in that place. But, I was sure of one thing; I knew I had done what He wanted me to do. I have tremendous faith that He uses what I do to bring about good changes in the hearts and lives of people who receive the ministry. This time was a little different. Most of the women had been shipped out to other facilities leaving only four occupying the faith-based dorm. So for convenience sake, we would actually meet in the dorm rather than the Rec Room. Those four were glad to see me and anxious to hear the Word of the Lord.

     We did praise and worship, and I brought the lesson from the Word and ministered to each one of them. When I had finished, we had some extra time so they asked if they could share what God had done for them through the ministry I had brought to them. Finally, I would get to hear some personal feedback. It was good. The first three shared their testimonies with great thankfulness of how God had touched them through the ministry and the encouragement they’d received. Their stories moved me; but, sorry to say I don’t remember the specifics of the first three. However, not so with the fourth woman. Even now, I remember the look in her eyes and the pull on my heart as she shared her story. Her words still ring in my ears. I can remember the particulars of her narration as if I heard it yesterday. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice quivered for a bit, but then she gained her composure and told us her story. By the time she finished, we were all wiping tears but rejoicing over the outcome. And now, I share her story with you exactly as she told it to us on that day some six years ago.
           “When I was just a little girl, up until I was nine years old, it was only my mother and me. Then she met and married a man that was very rich. I got in the way of their lifestyle, and they decided they didn’t want me around anymore. So, they carried me to the front door of an orphanage and left me on the porch. I thought they were just leaving me a few days to go on a trip or something, but they never came back for me. The person who should have loved me most abandoned me. I hated my mother and my step-father for what they had done to me. My heart was full of anger and bitterness that grew and grew. Because of what was going on inside of me, I lashed out at others and was always in trouble. All I wanted was my mother. All I wanted was to be re-connected to my family. But, that didn’t happen.
           With tears flowing down her cheeks, she went on to say, “As soon as I was old enough, I got out of that place, but I had no place to go except the streets. To survive, I got caught up in drugs and prostitution and a lot of other stuff, and by the time I was 18 I was in jail. I managed to get out a couple of times but then got caught on parole violations and ended up back in jail. I’m 49 years old now and have spent most of my adult life in prison. And all those 40 years, every day, I hated my mother and my step-father and blamed them for the miserable life I’ve had.
            I know you don’t remember the night you ministered to me, or what you said, because you minister to so many people. But several months ago I was sitting on the front row in your meeting and you looked right into my heart and said, “Sweetie, God loves you so very much. And, He wants you to know He’s heard you crying out to Him and He wants to help you, but He’s telling me to tell you that you must release forgiveness to the people who’ve hurt you.” You said, “The un-forgiveness in your heart is destroying you, and when you let that go, it will be like you’ve been set free, and you will be like a new person.” I knew you had no way of knowing anything about my situation. When you looked at me, it was like I saw Jesus looking at me. And, I could feel the love of God coming out of you and into me. I knew it was God and I’d never felt God like that before. 
            That night I lay in my bed and tried to figure out what had happened in that meeting. Finally, I got up and knelt beside my bed and prayed “God I don’t want to live like this anymore. I want to forgive my mother and my step-father. Will you help me do that, God?” As soon as I had said the prayer, it lifted. I felt like a new person. It was awesome. But, I knew I couldn’t stop there. I wrote a long letter to my mother and step-father and told them all about what had happened to me in your meeting and what I had prayed. I told them I had totally forgiven them for abandoning me. There was just one problem. I didn’t know where to send it.
            It took me almost three months and a lot of research, letters, and phone calls to other family and people I hadn’t seen or heard from in years, but I finally got an address and mailed my forgiveness letter.  I was surprised by a phone call a couple of weeks later. It was my mother. She wanted to know if she could come and visit me. A few weeks ago, she and my step-father came here to Bridgeport. Forty years had passed since the last time I saw my mother. They admitted what they had done was definitely wrong and they wished they hadn’t done it and would I please forgive them. I was able to tell them, I already have.
            I’m up for parole in a few more weeks. They want me to come and live close to them so we can be a family. They’ve bought me a car, have an apartment waiting for me, and my step-father is going to help me get a job. The only thing I’ve wanted for my whole life is finally going to happen. I am so thankful for this. I’m grateful to God for sending you to Bridgeport. I’m thankful you heard what God had to say to me, and you were bold enough to tell me what He was saying. I’m thankful His love was so strong in you that I could feel it and receive it. I’m thankful my life is brand new. I’m getting a chance to start all over. My family is going to be restored. None of this would have happened if it weren’t for you.”
    
     Her story so touched my heart. Even today, my heart goes out to her for the rejection she faced and the misery that rejection caused in her life. But, I rejoice that she now has a loving relationship with the Lord and is reconciled with her family. The longing of her heart has truly been satisfied in more ways than one.

     So if you want to know why I love prison ministry, that’s pretty much the reason. When I think about all those hours on the road and the sleepless nights on bad beds in the hotels, I remember this woman’s story and remind myself it is only one among many and it makes it all worthwhile. I don’t need to hear about each of them to believe they exist. Because I know Jesus and I were on a mission and He doesn’t quit until the purpose of the mission gets accomplished. So, about all I can say is “Thank you, Jesus” for taking me along for the ride and I sure hope there’ll be another prison mission somewhere in my future.

     It was about seven years ago when Father put it in my heart to do more prison ministry.  I didn’t know where or how so like always, I just went to Google.  I searched for all the women’s prison facilities in Texas.  I landed on a place called Bridgeport Pre-Parole Transfer Facility.  It was a long way from my house; to be exact it was about 430 miles round trip but for some reason I seemed to be especially drawn to it.  Now, I don’t really think it’s wisdom to walk up to a prison and knock on the door and tell them you’ve come to share the gospel.  If God hasn’t arranged it, you better stay home!  So I prayed and then the waiting came. You know, that time when you’re sitting on go, ready to take off for God, but He’s not giving the go ahead.  That’s a very important time and it’s very important not to get ahead of God. I believe it’s during that waiting time that Father actually prepares us for the assignment ahead.  So, I waited! And for the next two years, every month or so I would pull up the website, read to see if there were any changes and ask Father, “Is it time, yet?”  Then one day “a suddenly” happened.  The info on the website had changed.  Finally! There was a face I recognized and a familiar name.  A new warden was in town.  Jacquelyn Banks was her name.  Ms. Banks had served as Warden at the Wilkinson County Correctional Facility located about 30 minutes from Natchez, Mississippi.   While she was there, I had been a member of Marejohn Brock’s prison ministry team that ministered monthly at that facility (another long trip from my house). But now, Ms. Banks had been transferred from Wilkinson County to Bridgeport.  Hey!  Lights flashed and whistles blew!  This was my cue.  I knew in my knower it was time to make contact.  I fired off an email explaining who I was, gave a little background history from Wilkinson County, and asked if there was any possibility of being able to minister at the Bridgeport Women’s Unit.  I was so excited!  I knew God was in this and I could hardly wait for an answer.  I didn’t have to wait long.  Within thirty minutes I had a return email that said she would be delighted for me to come to Bridgeport.  Thank you, Jesus!  The door had finally opened. 
 
     The waiting was over or so I thought.  Contact with the Chaplain revealed I had to first complete orientation periodically taught by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) as well as the training required by the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA).  How long would this take? The Chaplain said probably a couple of months.  I suspected I would also have to travel to one of the units hours from my house. Oh, well. I applied on-line for the TDCJ training (this was Tuesday).  On Thursday I was contacted by the Chaplain at Telford Unit.  They were going to have orientation training at Telford Unit on Saturday and I could attend if I wanted.  This meant I could get the orientation the same week and Telford Unit is only about six miles from my house. Wow! Does Father made great arrangement, or what!  But, then, I still had to complete the CCA orientation. The next Monday, I contacted the Chaplain to let her know I had completed the TDCJ training and God moved miraculously again.  The CCA orientation was planned for the upcoming weekend.  She said if I could come on Friday, we could get all my paperwork done, I could attend the orientation classes, and would be able to minister on Saturday night.  Could I come?  Could I come?  Well, of course, I could come!  In less than two weeks, the door had opened and every requirement had been met for me to minister at that facility.  That had to be God! 
 
     And, so, I went for the first time in July 2012 and have been going once a month ever since.  Oh, I’ve had to miss a couple of times when I was sick and once because of the weather but overall I’ve made that trip fifty plus times during the past five years.  God blessed the ministry and I’ve always had great attendance for the meetings.  But, it wasn’t always easy.  When I first started going to Bridgeport, there was a Captain who obviously didn’t care for the ministry.  It’s an understatement to say she made life a little difficult and I was seriously tested; but love prevailed and for several years I’ve had tremendous favor with the administration and staff.  I’ve been able to speak hope and encouragement to over 2000 women during these meetings.  I planted a lot of seeds, saw many hearts touched, and know in my heart that lots of lives were changed by a simple message of love from Jesus. But, even though they were blessed, I was the one who received the greatest blessing. 
 
     Monday night was the last time I will get to enjoy the ministry at the women’s unit at Bridgeport.  You see, because of budget reasons and who knows what else, it’s being closed. The ladies are being paroled or shipped out to other facilities and the staff, well- a few are transferring to the men’s unit but most are losing their jobs.  Neither option is good since those transferring lose their status and have to start over as entry level correctional officers at $10.81 an hour.  I am praying for God to intervene and turn this calamity into a blessing for all concerned.   
 
     When I first starting going to Bridgeport it was mostly a two-lane state highway. Then construction began.  The whole five years, I have driven through and watched a variety of construction projects transform the roadway into six lane thorough fares and divided highways.  With the exception of about a half-mile it is all completed now.  As I drove home yesterday, I thought how ironic it was that now that the road upgrades are all finished and driving is easier my assignment at Bridgeport is finished.  The Chaplain has asked me to consider coming back to Bridgeport to minister at the men’s unit.  I’m praying about it but so far have not received that knowing from Father that this is what I’m supposed to do.  I do know that when He closes a door that He will open another and there is definitely another assignment waiting for me.  But, right now, I will wait on God just like I did five years ago.  I thank Him for the opportunity He gave me and praise Him for the work He did in the hearts and lives of so many; especially mine.  This may be the end of this part of my journey but I know it is also the beginning of a new journey.  That’s the way God works.  The ministry will continue.  I just don’t know when and where.  But, God is faithful and He has a plan for me, just like He has a wonderful plan for you.  I encourage you to be courageous and step into the plan He has for you.  Follow His leadership and always remember, “Jesus Loves YOU!”

My life is exciting!  When you work for Jesus you never know what’s going to happen; where He will send you, or who you will meet.  This past September the Lord put an unction in my heart to do a meeting in the Dallas area so I started looking for a meeting place.  Sounds easy enough!  Wrong!  It took days.  Long story short, I finally found a hotel I could afford in Garland and got it set up for the first Tuesday in October.  So, the next issue at hand; how to invite people to come?  I prayed, “Father, how am I supposed to do this?  Nobody knows me.” Several years ago when I started a meeting in Marshall, Marejohn had given me permission to use her mailing list and encouraged me to include her name in the advertisement.  As I prayed over the Dallas meeting, Father reminded me of what I had done at Marshall.  I discussed it with Marejohn and once again she said “go for it” and encouraged me to get out in the field and get people saved, delivered, and set free.  Marejohn told me, “Always include that you were with me; that way they will know what kind of ministry to expect”.  So I made up some post cards with the date, time, and location.  I put my picture in the corner and then included this statement “Mentored by Marejohn Brock for more than 17 years, I learned firsthand the importance of loving people, operating in the gifts of the Spirit, and boldly sharing the prophetic encouragement given by the Holy Spirit.”   Some people have ministry resume’s that include all sorts of degrees from prestigious schools.  Not me!  But, let me tell you, I wouldn’t trade my training for all the classrooms or college degrees in the world. But, back to the story.  I mailed the cards, went to the hotel, and anxiously waited to see if anyone would show up.  Some people came.  I was relieved. Thank you, Jesus.   It wasn’t going to be a no-show night.   A woman I’d never met before came in and introduced herself.  She had brought her grandson; a handsome young man probably in his late twenties or early thirties.  She told me, “I went to Marejohn Brock’s meetings when she had them at Deeper Life Book Store.  When she stopped coming there, I never knew what happened to her.  But, when I got your card and saw ‘her name’ I knew she wouldn’t be here but I knew if I could get him here, my grandson could get help from this ministry!”  Wow! Marejohn stopped having meetings at Deeper Life Book Store probably 25-30 years ago.  My heart swelled with joy at hearing this lady’s confidence in the ministry.  It was like what Marejohn had said about the people knowing what kind of ministry to expect had actually been a fulfilled prophecy.  I was encouraged.  The woman explained they had driven from the northwest side of Dallas up close to US 380 during the 5 o’clock rush hour traffic to get to this meeting. It took them almost two hours to get there.  That told me they really wanted to be there!  I was blown away.  I started the meeting.  Business as usual.  But, before I could finish the message, this young man was crying out. “I’ve got to have help.  I need God to help me.  My life is in such a mess; I can’t live this way any longer!” I believe God wants us to love and meet the needs of those in front of us so I turned the focus toward ministering to him.  No surprise, the other people there joined me – and God had sent just the right people to speak to and minister to the needs in that young man’s heart and life. It was truly amazing what God did! I wish you could see the young man today.  He is on-fire for Jesus; happy, and overflowing with joy.  His whole countenance is changed.  I believe with all my heart that meeting was a divinely ordained appointment scheduled and arranged by a loving heavenly Father especially for that young man.  Wow!  I know I shouldn’t but I’m one of those people that always thinks about the “what ifs”.  What if I had given up on finding a meeting place?  What if I had not prayed about how to invite people?  What if Marejohn had not encouraged me to use her name or what if I had not included it on that postcard?  But, I was persistent and did find a meeting place.  Father did answer my prayer about how to invite people.  Marejohn’s name was supposed to be on that card.  It was important and it made a difference.  It pleases my heart to know that in this particular instance, her legacy was carried on through me but that shouldn’t be the focus or center of our attention.  The most important thing is that a young man and his family were touched and changed by the power of God’s love.   How do I know this?  Because in December, he came through the door with a great big grin on his face. Following behind him was his grandmother, his mother, his uncle, and his little boy.  You see, it’s like Marejohn taught me.  It wasn’t her ministry.  It’s not my ministry.  The ministry belongs to Jesus.  It’s not about who does what.  It’s about obedience to do what Father puts in your heart. But most of all, it’s about loving the one He puts in front of you!  And, it is so much fun to watch Jesus in action.  Because when He touches a heart a life is changed. He wants to touch your heart and make things exciting in your life, too.  You ask, why?  Simply because “Jesus Loves You!”

Good morning Facebook friends and family!  Did you get your morning exercise done?  Me? Oh, yes, I walked down the street and around the corner to the end of the football field and back.  Decisions.  Decisions. Whether or not to exercise, what food to eat, which clothes to wear, what television shows to watch, what kind of car we drive, how fast to drive it, and where it will take us. All of our choices make up our repertoire of daily life.  But, of greatest importance is the choice we make about the reality of fellowship with a loving God as our Heavenly Father, a loving Jesus as our Redeemer and Savior, and a loving Holy Spirit as our comforter, teacher, and guide. As He created each one of us for Himself, He implanted within us an instinct for love and a desire and ability to love God above all else. The fulfillment of this is up to us and is defined by our daily choices. We can choose a path of self-centeredness of our own making or we can choose God’s path for our life.  His path will take us to and through situations that enable us to give love and be loved.  Don’t misunderstand. His path is in no way synonymous with the absence of difficulties, tests, conflicts, or challenges.  In fact, it is quite the opposite. As disciples of Jesus we must go through a process of transformation. The tools of this process are often painful, unjust, and cruel circumstances. Sometimes it appears pointless and undeserved sufferings invade our world and we find ourselves asking God, “Why are these things happening?” (By the way, I don’t think God ever answers the “why” question.  More about that on another day.) These hard places become teachers in the development of character; character that responds and reacts as Jesus would react if the same thing were to happen to Him.  And, in reality, whatever you experience does happen to Him as well.  Remember, He lives inside your heart so whatever you are going through, He is going through it with you.  What does this mean?  God the Father knows all about where you are and what you are going through.  Jesus is the example to follow to be a victorious overcomer and the Holy Spirit is with you, speaking to your heart as your Comforter and Guide. Most often the greatest challenge will be nothing more than loving the people with whom we have to live and work. Sadly, this altar of sacrifice often introduces us to grief, heartbreak, and pain. Daily we must choose to continually lay down our own will and accept the tests God has permitted in our lives.  Little by little, we are transformed into the precious image of Christ. You may think the tests are too hard, but know for sure they were tailored just for you and they will ultimately produce in you the desired results because, “Jesus Loves You!”

Scripture references:
II Corinthians 3:18  “But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (NASB)

Romans 12:2  “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good  and acceptable and perfect.” (NASB) 

Colossians 3:9-11 “ Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him – a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. (NASB) 



© 2015  Deb Vick  All rights reserved.