As we head into our 3rd year of Covid restrictions, the temptation is to wonder if we will ever get back to “normal”. Will we ever be able to gather for services in our chapel again? Will we ever be able to meet with the residents face to face to offer encouragement and spiritual guidance and to look them in the eye and let them know that there is a God who created them, who loves them and has a plan for their lives, no matter what they’ve done or where they’ve been? Will I ever again be able to meet freely with the women, learn their names, hear their stories, and point them in the direction of One Who wants to walk with them throughout their lives?

It feels like the answer to these questions is in doubt, but, at some point, we will get back to gathering for chapel services and meeting for spiritual counseling. When that will be is not known to us; God is in control of the details. And while we have been hampered in our ability to minister, He has not been deterred at all.

God is still hard at work in Chester County Prison. Even without church services, there are a number of women who are striving and growing in their faith. They are reading their Bibles, spending time in prayer, journaling, and pursuing growth, understanding, and knowledge. I receive written correspondence from them requesting study materials, asking questions about faith, and expressing their desire to grow closer to God.

A recent example of such correspondence that I received is from a woman who was very distraught and troubled a few weeks ago when we met briefly. She was anxious and worried about her circumstances, but now wrote saying, “I have been struggling with feeling isolated – and have tried to fill those moments with prayers out loud, to feel more connected to Him.” She also wrote, “My prayer is that I use this time to glorify Him and deepen my relationship with Him, His Word, and spiritual leaders like you, so that I might be put to good use in celebrating God’s Kingdom.” A very beautiful expression of desire to grow in God.

Another woman wrote to me, “I really am so thankful to get back in touch with God – a journey I started many years ago but lost my way. I’m excited for this new chapter of my life with God by my side.”

This is the work that God is doing in Chester County Prison. We are hindered, but He is not. I am not able to freely meet with the women, but that is not a problem for Him. He meets with them.

This time of Covid restrictions at CCP will be over at some point, but through it all, nothing has been lost; ministry is still happening and those who are seeking are still finding.

Sometimes God surprises us with how extravagantly
and abundantly He meets a need. It stops us in our tracks
and leaves us wide-eyed in wonder and amazement. But
why should it surprise us, when we serve a God who can
do the impossible?

We have been using the Life Recovery Bible as the
main Bible at Chester County Prison for the past few
years. At times, it has been a bit of a struggle to keep
them in stock and there have been times, when we did
not have any at all, and we had to generate a “wait list”
for the residents who requested them, with a promise
to send them a Bible once we received more. The
Life Recovery Bible is particularly well-suited for use
in the prison environment, as the majority of inmates
struggle with substance abuse issues. It uses a very easy
to understand translation, and includes notes to help
the reader understand how to apply the Word to their
lives, so it has been very popular among the men and
women. Therefore, the Bibles would fly off our shelves
very quickly and we would have to stretch to meet the
demand.

A few months ago, Prison Fellowship contacted us
with an offer of free Bibles. They were offering up to
220 Bibles for free (in English or Spanish), including
free shipping! And the Bible they were offering? The
Life Recovery Bible! We marveled at God’s provision,
rejoiced, and jumped on the opportunity.

A few weeks later, unexpectedly, I received a call
from the officer at the guard-station at the entrance of
the prison, informing me that a delivery had arrived for
me. I thought there must be some mistake. All the book
deliveries for the chaplain’s office come in through the
mailroom and are either delivered to our offices or we
pick them up from the mailroom. So I was confused. He
told me that a large truck was there with a delivery for
me, and that it was Bibles. Then I remembered. He said
he would send the truck through and I could come out
and meet the driver at the second guardhouse.

By the time I got outside to the guard-station, they
had the driver out of the truck, questioning him, the back
of the truck was open, and officers were in the truck
inspecting the pallet of Bibles. I was completely taken
aback. I had not considered how heavy 220 Bibles would
be or how they would be delivered. I had not informed
anyone from security or administration that a shipment
would be coming. They had no knowledge of it, were
not expecting it, and were very suspicious of a truck
that showed up out of nowhere with a “delivery” that no one knew about. I
wanted to kick myself. I apologized to the driver, who looked very nervous.

The officers did not want to allow the truck to pass through the gate into
the heart of the prison to get to the loading dock. It was after 3:00, and no
trucks were allowed into the prison after 3:00. There were
many phone calls to higher authorities, and back and forth
conversations, questions, and confusion. I offered to take
the Bibles into the prison myself, if the driver would just be
allowed to open the pallet right there. I could use a cart and,
with multiple trips, carry them into the building. The driver
informed me that there were over 800 lbs of Bibles on the
pallet. I was deflated, but still determined to do it.

There were more back and forth calls and conversations
between the officers and administration, as they determined
how to handle the situation. I apologized to the driver again,
feeling helpless and foolish. Finally, the approval came
through to allow the truck into the prison grounds to unload
the pallet at the loading dock.

I thanked the officers and the driver and went back
inside, relieved, but still feeling embarrassed to have been
the cause of such commotion.

Later, it came to my attention that, when the call had
gone through from the officer at the guard-station to the
administration regarding the Bibles, it was at the time of the
afternoon briefing, when all the Majors, Captains, Directors,
and even the Warden are present. They all were made aware
and involved in the discussion of the 800 pounds of Bibles
arriving in the prison. Suddenly, the Word of God was the
topic in their meeting.

It is said, “God moves in mysterious ways.” He blest
us with an abundant supply of Life Recovery Bibles, and
in doing so, He broke into the consciousness of every
high-ranking official in the prison. But why should we be
surprised?

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted
among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm
46:10