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Experiencing God's Work

VLI is covering evangelism this quarter, and the book we're using is titled "Growing Your Faith by Giving it Away."  I have never experienced that as powerfully as I did last night.  Last week I let you know that I believe God is doing something in the Carver dorm @ Scioto Juvenile Correction Facility.  Last night we had confirmation of sorts that reminds me of the World War 2 Battle of Britain.

There was a point in the war when the Luftwaffe changed it's strategy from bombing military targets to terror bombing.  The change was a sign that the Germans realized they had failed to establish air superiority (essential if they were to invade Britain) and the allies were then clearly winning the air war.  This was a turn for the worse for the people in the war, but they drew together, did not loose resolve, and ultimately got the victory.

After last week's amazing fun together - hell broke loose.  Last week was horrible for the kids in Carver.  In respect of their privacy, I'll just state that 12 of 37 kids in Carver were not able to participate due to behavioral issues.  The result created a logistical nightmare for the guards to manage getting the kids through their evening routine.  Instead of walking into a dorm of kids watching TV and playing games, we walked into a tense and confused environment that was nothing like I'd yet seen there.

Yet God moved... powerfully.  Kris and I were still able to connect with the boys as the guards facilitated a very challenging evening.

At one point I felt led to talk through the narrow window in a cell door to 2 kids locked inside.  One had a fresh cast on his right hand.  After some casual talk, I asked him why he would want to hurt one of the other boys in his dorm.  I responded to his answer with an explanation of how I've come to see people differently than I used to.  I explained how he isn't just a kid in prison, that he was created in the image of God to be loved by God, and so was the person who he broke his hand against.  What does it mean if we hate what God loves?  What does it mean when we want to hurt someone God cares about so much that he died for him?

His posture melted as I went on.  He took off his dew rag and they both came closer to hear me better.  Their eyes were locked onto mine as if hypnotized and I started to feel like I was out of body watching myself talk to them.  I told them how all the horrible things happen in this world because we don't see each other the way God created us.  What could happen to a girl that she would grow up to be a mother that leaves the room as her husband beats her son to death?  What was done to a girl that she would become a woman who gave a 10 year old girl to a 67 year old man in exchange for crack?

People do horrible things when they don't care about the people that God created to be their brothers and sisters.  I explained that Jesus just wants us to love Him and love each other.  That is what it's all about.  And that when we love someone God loves...  someone created in the image of God, that we are loving and worshiping Jesus himself.

I've never been so aware that it wasn't just me talking.  I've never seen it happen so powerfully that the Holy Spirit was doing most of the work and I was more a spectator than a participant.  I watched the Holy Spirit in action though a 3" jail cell window.  "Growing Your Faith by Giving it Away"  -  my faith just experience an intense growth spurt!!

The enemy changed his strategy, but God is on the move.  9 boys made it to the bible study despite it all.  Several of the boys are moving on soon to "their main."  Please pray for them, that they'll draw together and have the victory.

Dale Malony