A Day at the Youth Prison

Yesterday I was in for my weekly visit at the youth prison. The verse I shared as I went from cell to cell (there are 5 cells I go to) was James 4:7 – “Draw near to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Following is a sampling of what happened:

Youth prison (from early 2011)

Cell 1: This cell has a lot of guys who have given their lives to the Lord this year. They hold their own Bible studies/services every other day in their cell. Of the 17 or so in their cell, there are only 2 or 3 who are not attending. We played with the Bible trivia cards I gave them last week for Christmas. Along with James 4:7, we also talked about the rapture and what a surprise that will be for the guards if it occurs while they’re still incarcerated!

Cell 2: I encouraged a young man who has been faithfully reading his Bible and about a month ago received the Lord to begin leading his cell mates in a Bible reading time each day. Some of them have a desire to follow the Lord, but need someone to help them on a daily basis. I think he’s got a lot of potential in his leadership and I’m praying he accepts the challenge.

Cell 3: These guys haven’t gone to trial yet. I shared the Gospel with them trying to get them to understand that being saved is more than just following a list of do’s and don’ts. Jesus wants to be their “panaful” (best friend) and their “suprema” (gang leader). Six guys prayed to receive the Lord.

Cell 4: My conversation with one young man concerned his mom who is being threatened by her ex. He told me that if her ex touched her, he would kill him and his entire family as soon as he gets out (knowing a bit about his past, I don’t doubt him at all). We talked about why this would be a really bad idea, along with other options and solutions. We also prayed for his mother to be safe. I also encouraged them to read the Gospels and focus on how tough Jesus was as a man, who is worth following.

Cell 5: Some of the guys were telling me all they had read from the New Testaments I gave them last week for Christmas. My conversations also led to one young person telling me how he felt badly for earlier having talked badly to his mother. He “doesn’t have the kind of relationship with her to ask for forgiveness.” I encouraged him to swallow his pride and try to get her called and apologized to by next week when I return. He said he would do his best to make it happen. He also recently prayed to receive the Lord and is growing in his faith.

So I ask you to continue praying for these guys and my time with them each week. They are dealing with big issues and seeing how God and His Word apply to these as they play it out daily.

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Tags: Dominican Republic, missionaries, missionary, youth prison

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