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Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I was asked to lead 1st service last night since our team leader is on vacation. My job was to get everyone in place, deliver the introduction, and keep everything moving and on time. Around 6pm we had everything ready – hymnals and Bibles distributed across the pews, musician tuned up and in place, now all we needed were inmates to show up. While waiting, we chatted about things, like how many inmates might choose yard time over church since it was such a nice day. Then the inmates showed up – all four of them.
They call 2 specific cell blocks for 1st service. Our four attendees were all from one of those blocks, and I knew one guy on the other block who never misses church, so suggested we wait. Five minutes went by, then ten. The volunteers got restless and suggested more and more that we should begin. I knew the others would come, but set a deadline of 15 minutes and we'd start.
The deadline came, and still only 4 inmates in the chapel. So we began, and not more than one minute into my introduction, here come 8 more men from the other block (including the guy who never misses). Oh well. We greeted our additional guests, got everyone seated, and I started over from the beginning.
Looking back, it got me thinking – if we are confident God will provide, how often do we cave to peer pressure? Even among the faithful? Waiting was uncomfortable, but I knew guys from the other block would be there if at all possible. And our God is a God of second chances – even when we fail, He will provide additional opportunities to be obedient. There's a lesson in just about every situation.
Thank you all for YOUR obedience to God's command to love your neighbor, by praying for them and their requests even though you've never met them. And if you miss a week or two, don't feel guilty, God will always provide additional opportunities here or elsewhere. Just look around, pretty much everything in our world could use prayer. God bless you for your faithfulness. Have a wonderful week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (Inmate 1-on-1 sessions):
- Troy– thankful I got a new cellmate without even asking – God is good. My old celly was really getting on my nerves, and my new celly is a young man who's willing to listen to my faith story and even went to church with me. I also met a guy on the block who knows my entire family- that was a great conversation. I still don't know what's going on – 2 court dates have come and gone, and I never got called up. Need a new court date to get this all behind me- no matter what happens, I just want things to progress. And I want my family to be saved, God please let me get back to them and encourage them to seek you.
- William– [another missed opportunity – this week I was told he was in no-contact medical isolation. I guess he's sick and infectious? Hard to tell with HIPAA laws, so I prayed for his healing and the possibility of meeting him for the first time next week.]
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (6:00pm Monday service):
- Shaun– for all the men here, and for my chance on Wed to be out – inpatient care – and hopefully stay out.
- Greg– for my final court date next month, for my family's health and wellbeing, my brother and his wife just had baby shower- expecting in November, plus my sister is expecting in April – pray for both pregnancies.
- Ariel– for my Mom, for my brother to not die- he was in bad motorcycle accident and broke hand and foot, for my sister, and my father. I represent myself in court on 17th. For all men who are lost and seeking friendship, but receive only judgement- pray for forgiveness. Also I have brain surgery appointment.
- AJ– for my Mom and 2 little ones at home (Autumn and Kye).
- Jose (volunteer)- for all in here to know Christ as savior, and experience peace beyond our understanding.
- Erwin (volunteer)- my sister Elwyn going through cancer treatments.
- Troy– my wife (Beth) and kids (Stephanie, Tyson, and Lexus). I'm very low and need God's strength – very lonely and tired of being here. Pray for my family to be saved.
- Phil (volunteer)- for volunteers Dan and Jim on vacation, that they are safe and come back refreshed. And for all the men who are discouraged, that they can keep going in the strength of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (7:30pm Monday service):
- Rick– for our brother, volunteer Bill Harkins undergoing cancer treatments. Continued healing and good reports.
- Dave– favorable outcome in court tomorrow, accept God's will
- Ky– God watches over me and my loved ones, continue to improve myself, get home to my family soon
- Shane (volunteer)- intentionally humble myself, grace and patience with my wife/kids, continue to see God and put myself in position to give
- Matt (volunteer)- unsaved family members, continue to strengthen my relationship with God
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- For the Onesimus Benefit Dinner at Green Street Grill on Nov 13.
- For Onesimus Ministries Board of Directors, wisdom and insight for the future of this ministry.
- For Chaplain Rhonda, in her ministry to female inmates, staff, and families.
- For Chaplain Heinrich, in his ministry to male inmates, staff, and families.
- For Chaplain Jack Crans, leading chaplaincy at Chester County Prison among both inmates and prison leadership, and for his personal strength and healing from cancer.
- For all Volunteers ministering in Chester County Prison.
- For the Warden and leadership at CCP, may ministries continue to find favor with them.
- For the Families of each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- For Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations throughout Chester County.
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