Yesterday a group of us went to a prison. I didn’t go expecting anything out of it, I just wanted to see what it was like and talk to the prisoners there. When we first got there I thought it looked like a sad and a terrible place to live but nothing more. So, when we got there a few of us went to the women’s building, and I couldn’t believe that human beings actually lived there. They stayed in a small dark room and outside of the room was a small cement courtyard with bars on the tops of the walls so only light could get in. On the walls I noticed were markings of either words or drawings, and as I looked closer I saw that the drawings were faces with eyes that just made me think of evil. There was a devil, and a really scary clown and a whole bunch of other random ones. Then the women came out and we worshiped and some started praying and talking. As I talked with two women I found that they had only been there a few months and still had years left there. That disturbed me but I didn’t know why.
When we were done there we went to see the men’s prison, where everyone was worshiping and singing. I started to sing and pray and as I looked around at the men and the cement beds they were on top of in the locked and barred doors I just asked God How in the world would he free them when they were locked up like this. I didn’t understand how there could be hope in a place like that. Then I thought of people’s hearts, and how sometimes they can feel just as hopeless as this prison. God can reach anyone, anywhere because He has all the power.
When I came on this trip I expected to be moved by the kids or the pastors or something, but not by the prisoners. I didn’t expect my faith to be tested like it was, because for a few moments in that prison, I doubted that God could reach the people there. But He can, and He does, all the time. He can set me free from my prison of perfection and control that I built for myself, and then He can use me to tell people of how He can set them free forever.
Megan Steiner
Megan, I work with your mom at club sport and your dad emailed me a link to your blog post. All I can say is God is so good, faithful, merciful and loving. You are right, He can set us all free in whatever situation we are in. What an amazing experience you had in Nicaragua! I leave for Cambodia in 2 weeks for a medical mission trip. Your blog is such an encouragement to me! Thank you for sharing:-)
ReplyDeleteKim S.