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Fall, 2004
Happy Winter!!! How
did December get here so fast? Time just keeps rollin' along,
doesn't it!!!
As always, December is such a busy month. It is easy to get caught
up in the frenzy of the season…shopping, decorating, cooking, and
entertaining. I should know…I am the "frenzied" type, as anyone who
knows me would agree!!!
So as I sit to write this newsletter, I am reminded of the blessing
of just…. sitting, if even for a brief moment, and reflecting on the
past year and on the amazing things God has done, from the simple to
the complex. For me, this year included an incredible time of
ministry at Ohio Reformatory for Women, where I was allowed to
minister to the maximum-security women for the first time.
October 24th - 1pm
What an amazing time we had at the prison! This was my 5th time
there, and it gets better each time! Since this was the first time
ministering to the women from max. security, I was a bit uncertain
of the response. The chaplain warned me that these women tended to
be more difficult than the general population (minimum security)
women. They would most likely jeer, taunt and act out. I refused to
let these words distract my focus on ministering God's love to these
women! I immediately prayed for wisdom to know how to respond should
any of these things occur. The Arrival
The first group of women arrived but we had to wait for the
next group to be escorted to the chapel before we could start. I sat
down with the women just to chat. It was taking a long time for the
second group to come, so I asked Paul Rogers, who came to minister
with me, to sing and play piano. The women began singing and
worshipping the Lord with Paul. One woman asked to sing a song
alone. Paul knew the song and as he played, the woman began to sing
with a voice strong and beautiful. As she sang, the others
encouraged her. They were obviously being blessed by her incredible
gift. In that moment the women in the room with me were not
prisoners anymore…they were mothers, young adults, sisters,
daughters, grand moms…women with gifts to offer, dreams to dream,
tears to cry, and hearts yearning for the love of God. …And
more
The second group of women walked in to a room already full of
laughter, tears and warmth. If there were any negative attitudes,
they never made it into the room that day! Oh, there were a few who
walked in looking skeptical and doubtful. As I began to minister in
song and story, dance and puppetry, those who had walked in looking
glum were now smiling, hearts began to soften and many tears were
shed as God's love was shared with them.
There was no trouble, no acting out or taunting from any of the
women that day. I saw only thirsty souls who received a drink of
living water, satisfied and filled. And so very appreciative.
6:30 pm
Later that same day we ministered to the general population of
women, with about 300 attending the concert! It is always a time of
joy and laughter, as well as tears. My daughter, Jenna, who is 12,
is too young to minister at ORW with me, but she records a message
to the women and I play it for them and show them her photo. Many of
the women have children they haven't seen or spoken to for a long
time. The sound of a child's voice reminds them of their own
children. There is not a dry eye in the house when Jenna speaks, yet
her words comfort and gladden their hearts. Saying Goodbye
This is the toughest part of my time at ORW! There's always a
time limit and it's rare to get more of it! So I try to make the
best of every minute with the women, to enable them with
encouragement and child-like joy and of course, the knowledge of
God's passion for them, no matter what they have done. Joy is
contagious and so is the Love of God…the more they have it the more
others will catch it! Saying Hello…again
Never did I imagine ever stepping into a prison to sing, yet God
opened an unexpected door…had I not walked through, I now know what
I would have missed! And so I will return. With your Help… Opportunities to minister are opening at prisons across the
country. In March 1 will be singing at Muncy State in Central Pa for
the first time!!! Other possibilities are in Wisconsin, Indiana, and
New York. In order to minister in these prisons, I need to meet the
expenses of travel and lodging. There are no funds available from
the prisons…this is totally volunteer. So I am dependant on
congregational concerts, church concerts, and private support to
raise the necessary funds to continue this work. If your church or
synagogue would be interested in scheduling a concert, please
contact me at
Faithngd@aol.com.
Tax deductible donations for this
outreach can be sent to (and checks made out to):
"Kol Simcha"
P.O Box 867
Havertown, PA 19083
Or donate online now with a credit card:
With year-end approaching, it's a great time to contribute and
you will receive a receipt for tax purposes!!! As always, thanks
for taking the time to read this update! If you are receiving this
via mail, drop by and visit my website at the above address! Have
a wonderful holiday season and a healthy and happy New Year!!!
Blessings! Faith |
