This has been a great week of activities in Cesis. God has really blessed us with such a good group of workers. We've had a great time and everyone has carried their load well. Today has been the cap on a week filled with activities and worship.
PRISON VISIT - For the first time, the entire group was allowed inside the prison on a Sunday. We had been granted the opportunity to visit the boys from 10-12:00. After passing through check-in (which can be kind of unnerving the first time), we were greeted by the top warden. This is highly unusual and probably only Laura and I understood that this was a big honor. Plus, he gave everyone a guided tour of the entire prison. The team viewed the living quarters, chapel and other areas before we went to the gym.
In the past, the Americans have only played the boys in basketball. This year they had been asking me to let them play the Americans in volleyball, basketball and football (soccer). It was a close finish but the Latvians won the volleyball contest. The Americans easily took the basketball contest with no problem.
We then went outside and had a few songs and testimonies before Pastor Olegs gave a brief devotional. Since this is the prisoner's free time they are not forced to come and listen but we had about 50 boys to come over. They were very respectful and I also had the opportunity to explain to the entire group about the work we do on Tuesdays inside the chapel. I really think it was a very positive situation and Olegs talked to a couple of young men about their spiritual life and what it means to be a Christian.
The soccer contest was the end of our time inside the prison. I wouldn't say that the contest was one-sided....it wasn't even close enough to be one-sided. Before I changed my team allegiance over to the Latvian side I think the mighty USA team was getting skunked 7-0! The advantage of having a foreign resident visa is that I get to choose which side I want to root for! Actually it was great to see the prisoners take so much pride in something. They have been getting embarrassed in basketball for a few years so it was a good payback for them to humble us.
There were two major breakthroughs today. First, the warden cared enough to come and personally escort us on a Sunday morning. Laura and I had not met him but he knew about us and what we have been trying to accomplish. He encouraged us to continue to do God's work and let him know if we needed help. This will give us a friend in high places as we try to institute some new ideas.
Secondly, when we met the boys as they were lining up, one of the boys that has asked for prayer called my name. As I went over to him, I saw he was wearing a cheap plastic cross on a string as a necklace. For him to publicly declare his faith like that is such a positive sign. Wearing a cross doesn't make you Christian but wearing a cross in the situation that he is in takes some real courage. It made my entire week just to see him take that stand.
We think that God has provided some real opportunities for service inside the prison. We know for sure that some of the boys are at least listening more to their heart and trying to understand some of the ideas that have been presented to them. We are encouraged that the prison officials are happy with the work that is going on there. Keep praying for these young men. They face such seemingly insurmountable odds they will need God's help at every turn.
It was such a good day....Americans and Latvians playing ball in a decrepit old gym...just playing for the sheer pleasure of playing, not really worrying about winning or losing. Yet, when it is over, one group walks through the gates and will soon be on a plane to a world that the other group can't even imagine. What advantages our American young people have...what opportunities they have...what successes they have to look forward to.
What about the prison group? Will there be someone there to help them gain one advantage over a tough way of life? Will they have even one opportunity to overcome their past behavior? Will they have successes they can be proud of?
Can you say a prayer for the Cesis Boys' Prison?
Paldies,
Mark
No comments:
Post a Comment