Imprint December 2018

Prison Ministries
Leo - 13 yrs old:
We got to see how scary jail is and the way the guards sometimes treat the prisoners can be unfair, like taking someone’s bible away.
It surprised me how prisoners can be such good people who just got in with the wrong crowd. The inmate we visited told us he would
sometimes think about suicide but instead he decided to find God.
Tara - 15 yrs old:
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength”
Going to the jail showed us that some of the inmates serve their time simply putting the entirety of their trust and hope in the Lord
without any knowledge of what is going to happen in the future. Prior to the visit I was completely blind to what happens behind the
jail walls. One inmate in particular expressed to us his daily struggle of uncertainty and hopelessness. He shared that one of the main
things that gets him through the long days is his faith. Being able to talk with a prisoner allowed all of us to really know how some
people struggle but can always come back to their faith, no matter what. He has asked that we pray for strength, hope and his family.
Dee - parent:
When Pastor Ray first asked us to visit the jail with him I was a bit nervous as I didn’t know what to expect.
I was surprised to find that once we were inside the jail and got chatting to the inmate the more comfortable we all became. The
inmate opened up to us and I was honoured to be a part of the visit. I would love to visit again as seeing the enjoyment it gave to the
inmate was well worth it. Seeing the kids come out positive and excited to do it again was a blessing.
Megan - parent:
When Pastor Ray first suggested that we take some of the Pathfinders to the prison to visit an inmate I loved the idea, as far as the
impact it would have on our young people, but was also a bit hesitant about taking kids to a prison! I wasn’t sure how they would react
and what they would see, but I said yes, and started praying. Pastor Ray briefed us when we arrived at the prison on what to expect,
and explained the whole process to us, which helped make it less daunting. Being minimum security, it didn’t feel too much like a
prison, and the man we visited was a lovely, quiet, friendly guy. I think we were all surprised at how comfortable we felt once we were
visiting him. It was a privilege to have this opportunity, and I would be more than happy to visit prison again in the future. I look
forward to seeing what doors God opens for us, and for the inmates, as a result of this visit.
Kylie - parent
As soon as I read the email from Pr. Ray about this amazing opportunity I knew I couldn’t say no. I also knew there would be people
who wouldn’t understand why I would be willing to take my children into a prison with convicted criminals. The words of Jesus in
the book of Matthew rang clearly in my head, “I was in prison and you visited me”. I just knew it was the right thing to do.
Ray prepared us well before going in but there was still some nervous laughter from the group as we were being processed by the
guards upon arrival. One guard in particular seemed quite grumpy which I found slightly unnerving. Others were nicer and I relaxed
a little. Surprisingly it wasn’t until I met the prisoner we were booked in to see that I relaxed fully. He wasn’t what I expected at all. He
shared what his experience in jail had been like so far. He was very open and honest with us but never once did he complain. Although
each day begins and ends much the same as the last for him I couldn’t help but sense a strong feeling of uncertainty troubling him.
Uncertainty about who he could trust within the prison system, uncertain of when he will be moved on to the next prison, uncertain
of what life after prison looks like. We can pray that through all the uncertainty he can be certain that he has a Heavenly Father who
loved him before all this, loves him now and will love him eternally. As for the grumpy prison guard, we can pray for her too. By the
time we were leaving, I could see God was already softening her heart.
December 2018 | IMPRINTmagazine
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