Once again, the Lord has been teaching me to have patience and wait upon Him...
In many cases and situations, even though the Lord hears our prayers, we don't see immediate answers because God first wants to work on people's hearts and minds. This is especially true in cases where the person I am praying for is heavily bound by Satan and needs a big deliverance or, for whatever reasons, is very far from the Lord. Two men who fall into that category are Stewart (Stu) and Michael, both of whom I have mentioned previously.
Stu completed his time and received a "conditional release," which basically means he wasn't paroled, but they couldn't keep him here any longer. Now he is back on the streets.
I was able to share the gospel with Stu while he was here, but he thought he was a god, so he didn't seem interested in hearing about the true God. I always showed him kindness, however, and listened to him talk about his life situation.
Stu, as I mentioned in an earlier entry, has AIDS. The last time I saw him he had started to look noticeably sick, was losing weight, and was getting that sunken, hollow look that I see so often in those who are suffering with this virus. Now Stu is out of prison and I wonder about him, especially since he doesn't have much of a family out there. I assume he went the way of most of these men when they leave, which is to be released to a New York City shelter. For the many who have no home to go to, a shelter is all there is. My prayer for Stu is that he comes in contact with some loving Christians with a street ministry or an outreach to the homeless. Maybe through them he will finally open his heart to Jesus Christ.
As for Michael, he made it to the chapel on Sunday mornings a few times during the past several months. I have also seen him in the hallways. I always greet him and talk to him when I can. But Michael is schizophrenic, and for the past month or so, he has gone back to being reclusive. He purposely tries to violate some of the prison rules and gets written up for disciplinary infractions. This is all part of Michael's self-destructive ways. When life gets too stressful or painful for him, he uses this means to shut himself off from people, including inmates and staff.
Depending on the types of rules Michael breaks, he is usually confined to his cell for fifteen to thirty days. He loses all privileges, such as being able to go to the recreation yard or watch TV in the dayroom area. Michael, however, instead of being upset and angry, as most prisoners are when confined to their cells, loves the isolation. This is not good or healthy. But after all his years in prison, it is the main way he has learned to avoid stress.
I am just going to continue to be hopeful and patient that one day change will come for both Michael and Stu, for I know Jesus Christ truly loves these men.
D.B.
Stu completed his time and received a "conditional release," which basically means he wasn't paroled, but they couldn't keep him here any longer. Now he is back on the streets.
I was able to share the gospel with Stu while he was here, but he thought he was a god, so he didn't seem interested in hearing about the true God. I always showed him kindness, however, and listened to him talk about his life situation.
Stu, as I mentioned in an earlier entry, has AIDS. The last time I saw him he had started to look noticeably sick, was losing weight, and was getting that sunken, hollow look that I see so often in those who are suffering with this virus. Now Stu is out of prison and I wonder about him, especially since he doesn't have much of a family out there. I assume he went the way of most of these men when they leave, which is to be released to a New York City shelter. For the many who have no home to go to, a shelter is all there is. My prayer for Stu is that he comes in contact with some loving Christians with a street ministry or an outreach to the homeless. Maybe through them he will finally open his heart to Jesus Christ.
As for Michael, he made it to the chapel on Sunday mornings a few times during the past several months. I have also seen him in the hallways. I always greet him and talk to him when I can. But Michael is schizophrenic, and for the past month or so, he has gone back to being reclusive. He purposely tries to violate some of the prison rules and gets written up for disciplinary infractions. This is all part of Michael's self-destructive ways. When life gets too stressful or painful for him, he uses this means to shut himself off from people, including inmates and staff.
Depending on the types of rules Michael breaks, he is usually confined to his cell for fifteen to thirty days. He loses all privileges, such as being able to go to the recreation yard or watch TV in the dayroom area. Michael, however, instead of being upset and angry, as most prisoners are when confined to their cells, loves the isolation. This is not good or healthy. But after all his years in prison, it is the main way he has learned to avoid stress.
I am just going to continue to be hopeful and patient that one day change will come for both Michael and Stu, for I know Jesus Christ truly loves these men.
D.B.