What an eventful day! (2007-03-04)

We had an eventful evening at FDC tonight!  GM at FA was baptized by Pastor Roger right on the spot tonight.  After Pastor Roger's message, he made an invitation to the ladies to see who wanted to accept Christ or be baptized.  GM raised her hand and said she wanted to be baptized and wondered if we could do it today.  So we did.  Praise the Lord for this dear sister!  GM realized that she had lots of bitterness and anger in her heart and is willing to let God change all that.  After Pastor Roger baptized her, we couldn't go anywhere because the guard locked us down.  No, not because of the baptism but because of some unknown reasons (we didn't know what happened in that unit), somehow the guard needed to lock us in our program room for a little while.  Even though it was time for us to go but we couldn't go anywhere.  So we spent the time singing, "I've decided to follow Jesus" together, hugged each other, shared some more and prayed together until we were "released".  God has His timing!

Peter warned us before we visited unit FC that the brothers there might not be in a good mood because of their heavy sentences.  So Pastor Roger asked each one of them if they were in a bad mood.  One of them said, "I'm in a good mood when I see you.  I'll be in a bad mood if your team doesn't come."  In fact, they were so humorous
during and after Pastor Roger's message.  When Pastor Roger asked if they thought God was unfair because of the heavy sentences.  Michael, who was baptized on Chinese New Year's day, said, "Oh, He is fair.  If he gave me a lighter sentence, then I would not be able to see you and I would be sad.  Now, I can see you all more."  Another told us that after we left each Sunday, they look forward to the next Sunday to see us again.

So, teammates, your presence means a lot to the inmates!  You directly or indirectly touch their hearts.  Thanks for your dedication to Heart Renewal.  May God continue to use us to touch many more hearts.

God bless,
Grace

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Crystal and Leon did awesome and the inmates responded to their presence and singing favorably.  They had a room full in DA and they brought with them the sweet fragrance of Jesus.

Rick

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Actually I want to say Rick's sharing was wonderful.  It was the 1st time Leon and I heard about it.  His message is strong and clear, such a wonderful reminder and encouragement to all of us.  I feel like we didn't contribute much by going to FDC.  In fact, we have gained a lot back form seeing the faith inside the hearts of inmates, and seeing Rick's faith in the Lord. 

Crystal