Happy 2023 friends! As we begin a new year, I wanted to share with you a new ministry opportunity God has given me here in South Florida. A few weeks ago, I began teaching a Bible study at a local women’s jail. While prison ministry was not something that was in my plans for this season, God made it very clear to me that I should say “yes” to this assignment.
I have to say that it has been such an honor to serve this group of women. In my experiences so far, I have found the ladies to be attentive, polite, curious, and hungry for God during our Bible study and worship. They ask challenging questions, they take notes, they follow along in their Bibles, and seem eager to learn more about the Lord.
A few weeks ago, I shared with the women a Bible passage that was very familiar to me from Lamentations 3:22-23. I paraphrased it by saying that God’s mercies are new every single morning and great is His faithfulness towards us. After I said those words, one woman sat straight up in her chair and her face brightened with a smile. She responded with enthusiasm, “Really?! It says that in the Bible? Where?!” To this inmate, this verse was powerful and encouraging for someone who needed to know that she had not exhausted God’s mercies.
I am sorry to report that this verse had become too familiar and old news to me. To be honest, I need God’s mercies just as much as any inmate. In this new prison ministry opportunity, I may be teaching God’s Word, but I have a feeling I will be learning just as much from my sisters in Christ who are growing in their faith behind bars.
Please pray for me as I teach. Please pray that these women would surrender to Lord, make wise decisions, and that God would set them free indeed. I’m not sure what other unexpected opportunities God has orchestrated for 2023, but I’m excited to find out!
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
