...when God moves.
I share this story for no other reason than to remind myself, and whoever reads this, that God is there.
Lil and I were at a point that we had decided to leave the Aftercare ministry of New Life Prison Ministry http://www.nlpm.com/. I had applied for a full time position with a community agency because, after two years with New Life, our financial support had not reached a point where we didn't need to depend on a subsidy from the Ministry. I felt that we were being a burden. Added to that, the relief position I had been working at with a secular organization in order to supplement what NLPM could give to us, came to an end. We were facing a financial crunch and did not feel comfortable moving forward with NLPM and being a drain on its finances. I was confused and anxious about the next step. I was disappointed in myself too- how after so many years of seeing God's faithfulness in guiding and providing in our lives, was I allowing these circumstances to affect me?
Leaving the aftercare ministry was not my desire. As I look back over the two years, I can point to God's hand working in the lives of a number of men and women who have come back into the community from prison and are doing well: attending church, working or studying and moving ahead in life. Others are still struggling to overcome huge barriers, like addictions issues or mental illness, and have been experiencing God's unconditional love and committment to them. Through the two new Dismas Fellowship groups http://www.friendsofdismas.com/about-2/ministry-of-friendship/ in London and Cambridge a number of different Christians have had the opportunity of learning how to wisely care for folks who have experienced prison and all that comes along with it. "Returnees"desperately need the love, discipleship training and affirmation that the church can offer. The prospect of ending my involvement with aftercare was causing me to lose more than a couple of night's sleep. I couldn't figure out what God was saying. Why had He not brought people forward to give to this work? Why, after two years were we still needing to look for financial support from New Life Prison Ministry? Was God telling us- "Not you. Not this time." The need for someone (actually a whole team of people), to be involved in being there to support and encourage "returnees" is scandalously obvious.
I was ready to leave though. It was the only way of seeing our economic needs met without being a burden to a ministry we love and respect. I had applied for the full time position and had an interview in two days. I met with Gerrit and Susan Blok. They are our friends. They have been and are our spiritual mentors. They also give leadership to New Life and needed to know what I was thinking and the way it seemed God was leading. As I shared my thoughts, they were supportive and understanding. They, like Lil and I, were sad at the prospect of us leaving New Life Prison Ministry, but as we talked none of us could see a way forward. We were confused by what God was doing: the needs are so obvious but the resources were not available. Gerrit asked: "What is your fleece?" as we talked about what it would take for me to stay with New Life. I had thought about it and said: "God will need to do something special this week- He will have to have someone call in and offer to support New Life with at least $500 for me to believe He wants us to keep on going. We prayed, then I left to go into the local jail to visit a couple of men. I had peace about leaving New Life, but no joy.
Well, you can see where this is going- that phone call came in within half an hour from someone known to the ministry but not a regular supporter. He said he had been reading his Bible and felt he needed to contact New Life. During the phone conversation he asked questions and managed to pry out of Susan details about my time with them earlier that morning. He then assured them that the need would be met. God had graciously and amazingly responded to the fleece with a message of: "I want the aftercare ministry to keep on going!" Later that day, I was encouraged by two managers at a community agency to apply for a part-time position that was about to open up. That part-time position, and the generous support being offered by the individual who phoned, will allow me to continue with NLPM in aftercare. I cancelled the interview for the full-time position.
I have shared this story this week with a number of people; "returnees" and others. As I share with you faithful reader, I want you to know and be encouraged- God is real. He does listen. He does let us know (sometimes after a period of waiting and silence) what He wants us to do and where He wants us to go.
Please pray for New Life Prison Ministry. God has had and still does have His eye on it as we seek to share the message of God's love and purpose in Jesus Christ to men and women who have involvement with the criminal justice system. May our actions, attitudes and words help others to know how great God is.
I share this story for no other reason than to remind myself, and whoever reads this, that God is there.
Lil and I were at a point that we had decided to leave the Aftercare ministry of New Life Prison Ministry http://www.nlpm.com/. I had applied for a full time position with a community agency because, after two years with New Life, our financial support had not reached a point where we didn't need to depend on a subsidy from the Ministry. I felt that we were being a burden. Added to that, the relief position I had been working at with a secular organization in order to supplement what NLPM could give to us, came to an end. We were facing a financial crunch and did not feel comfortable moving forward with NLPM and being a drain on its finances. I was confused and anxious about the next step. I was disappointed in myself too- how after so many years of seeing God's faithfulness in guiding and providing in our lives, was I allowing these circumstances to affect me?
Leaving the aftercare ministry was not my desire. As I look back over the two years, I can point to God's hand working in the lives of a number of men and women who have come back into the community from prison and are doing well: attending church, working or studying and moving ahead in life. Others are still struggling to overcome huge barriers, like addictions issues or mental illness, and have been experiencing God's unconditional love and committment to them. Through the two new Dismas Fellowship groups http://www.friendsofdismas.com/about-2/ministry-of-friendship/ in London and Cambridge a number of different Christians have had the opportunity of learning how to wisely care for folks who have experienced prison and all that comes along with it. "Returnees"desperately need the love, discipleship training and affirmation that the church can offer. The prospect of ending my involvement with aftercare was causing me to lose more than a couple of night's sleep. I couldn't figure out what God was saying. Why had He not brought people forward to give to this work? Why, after two years were we still needing to look for financial support from New Life Prison Ministry? Was God telling us- "Not you. Not this time." The need for someone (actually a whole team of people), to be involved in being there to support and encourage "returnees" is scandalously obvious.
I was ready to leave though. It was the only way of seeing our economic needs met without being a burden to a ministry we love and respect. I had applied for the full time position and had an interview in two days. I met with Gerrit and Susan Blok. They are our friends. They have been and are our spiritual mentors. They also give leadership to New Life and needed to know what I was thinking and the way it seemed God was leading. As I shared my thoughts, they were supportive and understanding. They, like Lil and I, were sad at the prospect of us leaving New Life Prison Ministry, but as we talked none of us could see a way forward. We were confused by what God was doing: the needs are so obvious but the resources were not available. Gerrit asked: "What is your fleece?" as we talked about what it would take for me to stay with New Life. I had thought about it and said: "God will need to do something special this week- He will have to have someone call in and offer to support New Life with at least $500 for me to believe He wants us to keep on going. We prayed, then I left to go into the local jail to visit a couple of men. I had peace about leaving New Life, but no joy.
Well, you can see where this is going- that phone call came in within half an hour from someone known to the ministry but not a regular supporter. He said he had been reading his Bible and felt he needed to contact New Life. During the phone conversation he asked questions and managed to pry out of Susan details about my time with them earlier that morning. He then assured them that the need would be met. God had graciously and amazingly responded to the fleece with a message of: "I want the aftercare ministry to keep on going!" Later that day, I was encouraged by two managers at a community agency to apply for a part-time position that was about to open up. That part-time position, and the generous support being offered by the individual who phoned, will allow me to continue with NLPM in aftercare. I cancelled the interview for the full-time position.
I have shared this story this week with a number of people; "returnees" and others. As I share with you faithful reader, I want you to know and be encouraged- God is real. He does listen. He does let us know (sometimes after a period of waiting and silence) what He wants us to do and where He wants us to go.
Please pray for New Life Prison Ministry. God has had and still does have His eye on it as we seek to share the message of God's love and purpose in Jesus Christ to men and women who have involvement with the criminal justice system. May our actions, attitudes and words help others to know how great God is.
Philippians 4:6,7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Praise God!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tim. God put you in my life.
ReplyDelete