"They want to accept Jesus..You can go pray with them," Pastor said to all of our confused looks..
The first week here in Chanthaburi, Thailand, we visited a women's prison. We shared short testimonies and gave them little cookies and such. Pastor told us that the governemt only allowed one visit per month. But we all wanted to go back. We saw something in those ladies that we knew we weren't finished with. So we told him that, and he said he would try.
A few weeks later we got news that we would be able to go back to the prison! We were all super excited and just knew that it was God.
Before all of our Christmas services/programs we prayed that God would do crazy things. I'm sure we planted some seeds at those schools and churches, but nothing ever seemed "crazy" to us. We talked about it and how obviously God does what He does for a reason.
Before we went to the prison again we prayed but we didn't pray for craziness. We just prayed for a good day with these women. Even while I was sharing my testimony and about my tattoos, and Arielle did the same, and Kaitlyn and Kaci told the gospel I was praying that God would at least speak to one of the women. After we took our turns speaking, Pastor went off and started preaching in Thai, so I had no idea what was going on. I was just praying and thinking and observing. The next thing I know some of the women had gone to get food but there were still about 15 women there with their hands held high and smiles on their faces. I thought "no way…there is no way…" but then I heard Pastor say "They want to accept Jesus..You can go pray with them." All of us looked at eachother with excited grins and quickly went and prayed with these women one on one. As I came to my last one I closed my eyes to pray and as cliche and cheesy as it might sound…I really forgot that I was in a prison. In a dark place. In a place where evil had been. But now this was a place where women could come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. She thanked and hugged me, and reached into her pocked for a piece of candy and gave it to me. Her eyes were so gracious and she gave me all that she had in her prison uniform. All of their smiles, goodbyes, thank yous, and waves were full of plain joy. We didn't even ask God to do something crazy that day. But, He did. Because it was His time.
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;" – Isaiah 61:1
Karson, this is so exciting!!! I know this will just whet your appetite for more! God is so good!
Good Morning Karson:
Wow what a testimony of God going before you!! I love this and I know the Lord is pleased with your willingness to go into this prison to help others.
Thank you for all you are doing. I love reading about your days there. God is working in mysterious ways.
Love,
Patsy
WOW…..I keep saying that but each time you blog I feel like saying WOW….The Lord is doing mighty things through you girls and letting you see how mighty HE is. I am so proud of you for listening to Him and letting Him lead you. Can not wait to hear more things like this in the next few weeks.
Love you so much. I had heard you tell us this story on the phone but this was so great to hear the details of The Lord going before you to make this happen.
Love you
This made me tear up a little bit, it is just sooo beautiful when God calls people to Himself! I’m excited for you to have this experience to revel in God’s majesty. I’m praying for you today! 🙂
Karson,I get tearful every time I read your blogs. I am so touched by your faithful witnessing and by what God is doing through you. He must be so pleased with your commitment and dedication to doing His work. What awesome experiences you are having! You really have a gift for writing (you have so many gifts!), I can picture you there with the women in prison and how you related to them. They are so fortunate that you are there. Keep up the great work!
I am praying for you.
Love,
Jan
yes and amen! so proud of you guys and so thankful for the work the lord did through you in chanthaburi. gah. so good!
Karson,
This is such an awesome testimony of what God is doing through you and the others you are with. He is an amazing God and will continue to bless you and the people you minister to. I’ll continue to pray for you as you serve Him.