"It's my first night here..."

"It's my first night here", she said after I asked how I could pray for her. These words would stay with me and remind me why I am passionate about getting to do this unique kind of ministry that I do.  

I had the honor of returning to the Shakopee women's prison on Tuesday, along with 7 others. We were invited by a ministry inside the prison, called Prison Fellowship, to lead a worship and prayer night. We worshiped God together through song, heard a faith story and short message from some of our group volunteers, and at the end we invited any woman who wanted to be prayed for to come pray with our volunteers individually. 

And so I met *Mindy. "It's my first night here. I haven't even been able to call my family yet to tell them I'm ok. I knew I wanted to come to this though, my family would be proud of me." 

I was amazed that in her first night in the prison, feeling overwhelmed and scared, she found herself at a Christian event instead of being alone in her cell to process her first night here. I became emotional and told her I felt honored to share this moment with her. We talked for awhile before I prayed with her and I assured her it wasn't a mistake that she was here tonight and that God loved her so much and desires for her to know Jesus. And so for that we prayed. 

After, when Mindy told me that she'll only be there for a few months, the first word that came to my mind was "opportunity". Not many people would associate this word with someone who is in prison, but for Mindy it just kept repeating in my mind for her. I saw before me a woman who was making a decision to seek after God and it spoke to me of opportunity--that God would use the months she has inside the prison, away from the people or circumstances that helped to play a part in her being here, to lead her to discover who Jesus is and the abundant life He offers her.

Prison Fellowship offers many Bible studies, classes, worship times, and mentorship opportunities for those inside, so there are many opportunities available for Mindy to learn more about Jesus, if she chooses to take that opportunity. Please join me in praying for Mindy!