Valentine's Day Within Prison Walls

Our Valentine’s Day afternoon was spent with the men at the prison near Piedras Negras, and we had a wonderful visit. We arrived a little after 1 p.m., and after trading our licenses for “fichas,” we were led to the big metal doors where the guards stay on the outside and we walk into the prison yard. Almost immediately, two of the men we’d visited with Monday met us and helped us carry our bag and plastic bucket, filled with some canned goods, candy, Bibles and tracts. We also brought some sandwich bags with instant coffee, deodorant, soap and toothpaste, some of the items they had asked us to bring.

We walked down the gated walkways that traverse the yard, and greeted every man who walked past us or was sitting along the sides. Most of them greeted us with “Buenas tardes, Hermana,” and “Buenas tardes, Hermano.” Some even said, “Dios le bendiga.” (God bless you.) Some men were playing soccer in the yard as we walked by. Some of the men were washing clothes, hanging them on the cyclone fences.

One of the unusual things Bill noticed was that there are dogs inside the gates of the prison. He saw about 20 dogs there. I guess I don’t remember ever seeing a dog inside a US prison before, except the guard dogs that search for escapees.

Under a covered area, several men were cutting wood and making cutting boards and tortilla boards in the shape of apples, carving details in the leaves and stems. Nearby, we sat down with several men at a cement table with benches and listened to them as they began to share about their lives and their testimonies. We read the Word together, some of them sharing their favorite verses. I told them about Bill’s life and shared my salvation experience, coming to Christ after the death of my first son. They asked how long I’d been walking with the Lord and it was the first time I thought about it being over 30 years. Today is my son, Brandon’s 30^th birthday. What an adventure, walking with Jesus!

We got their names and told them we’d be praying for them. This morning, Bill and I prayed for each one individually, trusting God to transform their lives and use them for His glory.

The men introduced to two musicians, who invited us into a church nearby, framed with 2x4’s, and covered with blue FEMA tarps. The hand-painted sign over the door read, “Ministerio Carcelario Bethesda.” Inside, it said “Casa de Misericordia, Escuela de Fe.” (Bethesda Prison Ministry, House of Mercy, School of Faith.)

We joined them in the little church, with a few folding chairs on a broken, concrete and dirt floor, one bare light bulb giving light in the semi-darkness of the blue tarps, and sang praise songs with the men and their families. It was uplifting and encouraging to us to join that Spirit-filled congregation.

Antonia, the lady I met 10 days ago our first day at the prison, and her mother and sister from Torreon were there to visit Antonia’s son, Jose Luis. It was a wonderful service, and the men took turns giving their testimonies and sharing favorite songs with the little group of about 20 people. The guitar player, Jorge, led the service and asked us to share. I translated while Bill told the men that he hoped they would listen to an old man who has spent many years behind bars, and wasted most of his life doing crime. He said he hoped they would take the Bible seriously and start using it as their life’s manual. I told them that ever since I first saw the prison I desired to share the gospel behind these walls, and now God has opened the door for us to do just that. It was encouraging to meet and shake hands with these men, and to pray with them and praise the Lord with them in the little makeshift room.

We talked to several more men on our way out, and prayed with 5 more individuals that Bill stopped to talk with along the way. The last man we visited with was Pedro, a troubled 26-year-old who lived in Denton before being deported. He said he’s being released in two weeks, to move home to Monclova, and said he knows his three enemies are the devil, the world and his flesh. We prayed for him before we left, and prayed God would deliver him from his lifestyle, and help him to walk with the Lord the remainder of his days.
 

We appreciate your prayers for the men at this facility and for us as we share the love of Jesus with the men and their families behind the walls. Bill got to hold several babies that came to visit family members for Valentine’s Day. It was a good day and we look forward to returning soon.

On a different note, Guillermo still comes over every day. This morning, he watched  Hope Ranch on the DVD player the Goza’s gave us. He loves to watch cowboy and horse movies and laughs out loud, which I love to see.

Someone recently told me they didn’t know how to pronounce his name. Guillermo means William and its pronounced “Ghee-air-moe.” (Ghee sounds like key) I don’t know how else to put it. It’s the same name Bill uses when he introduces himself, and here, they give him the nickname “Memo.” It’s like Bill in Spanish.

Our doctor here still hasn’t got a referral for us to a specialist for Guillermo’s hearing problem. We know the wheels move much slower here, so we are patiently waiting for God’s timing in all of this. In the meantime, I am blessed that he enjoys spending time with us.

We are grateful for your interest in what we’re doing here. We know that God is holding us in the palm of His hand, and is opening doors for us every where we turn.

God bless you today, as you keep your eyes on the King of kings. He’s our only hope.

Clinging to Jesus,

Toni and Bill

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
   because the LORD has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
   to proclaim freedom for the captives
   and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
   and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
  and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
   instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
   instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
   instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
   a planting of the LORD
   for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:1-3