Keeping up with a blog is not an easy chore. Thanks for your patience. I know some of you are checking periodically and have been bored by no updated word on Tanya, I apologize for that.
Tanya is doing well, she still writes us once a week and seems to really be positive at this point. She got an incredible letter from a relative of one of the slain police officers, forgiving her and also sent Tanya some stamps in the mail, which the system confiscated. It meant so much to Tanya. Tanya is beginning to see that there is a tremendous difference between Christians and Non-Christians. In her last letter she expressed to us that when we visit she would like to discuss being a Christian, praise God from whom all blessings flow.
The only setback Tanya has had recently involved the Rainwaters. Mark had some health issues that all of us were very concerned about and had to go to Memphis to have a stint placed in an artery in the back of his neck. When they did the surgery they found that the irregularity was actually an aneurism. They told Mark and Charlotte the he was a walking timebomb. Also Charlottes father passed away a couple weeks ago. This all seemed to really effect Tanya as she loves Mark and Charlotte so much. Even though Tanya was involved in such a horrific crime, she does have a very loving and compassionate heart, deep inside her rough exterior. Mark and Charlotte by the way are doing great. As we say in the great State of Louisiana, "ain't God good?!!!!!
I promise to do a better job on updates, thanks again for your patience.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Be a link
Got another letter from Tanya today and she was really discouraged after an altercation on the "yard". (Thankfully it not turn physical) This situation could effect the "freedoms" she has right now and could set her back alittle. I wrote her tonight and told her how each situation in life can be used by God to teach us very important lessons if we allow it.
As I mentioned before, she read through the Book of James and then wrote down a few questions, actually 26 questions and mailed them to me. I write her once a week and answer two questions in each letter. Here is a praise, in the letter I received from her today, she wrote concerning our Bible study, "Thank you for taking the time-it's not a wasted effort! When I make that step I want it to be right and for the right reasons." Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!
Remember, it is not our job to save, for only God can do that. But He desires for us to be a link in the chain, maybe not the last link, (praying with that person to receive Christ)we may be the first, (inviting a lost friend to worship) but be a link in someones life.
Continue praying for me, Budda, Mark and Charlotte as we continue on in this journey. Pray for Tanya that she will continue to be receptive and pray for her ability to remain calm in situations. Remember, she was in solitary for 2 years, now that she is around people, acclimation may very well be difficult for her and for others.
BE A LINK!
As I mentioned before, she read through the Book of James and then wrote down a few questions, actually 26 questions and mailed them to me. I write her once a week and answer two questions in each letter. Here is a praise, in the letter I received from her today, she wrote concerning our Bible study, "Thank you for taking the time-it's not a wasted effort! When I make that step I want it to be right and for the right reasons." Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!
Remember, it is not our job to save, for only God can do that. But He desires for us to be a link in the chain, maybe not the last link, (praying with that person to receive Christ)we may be the first, (inviting a lost friend to worship) but be a link in someones life.
Continue praying for me, Budda, Mark and Charlotte as we continue on in this journey. Pray for Tanya that she will continue to be receptive and pray for her ability to remain calm in situations. Remember, she was in solitary for 2 years, now that she is around people, acclimation may very well be difficult for her and for others.
BE A LINK!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The reason for my silence the last few weeks is that I had not heard anything from Tanya in quite some time. I worry about her and wonder what is going on. It's not like I can call and check in with her, one simply doesn't hear anything.
Finally, I got a letter along with two pages of questions about the Bible and God. There is no doubt that Tanya is searching and I ask that you pray for all of us that we will be the encouragement that she needs. We have no idea if she will ever embrace Christ but we will sure do our best to see that she has every opportunity to do so.
Finally, I got a letter along with two pages of questions about the Bible and God. There is no doubt that Tanya is searching and I ask that you pray for all of us that we will be the encouragement that she needs. We have no idea if she will ever embrace Christ but we will sure do our best to see that she has every opportunity to do so.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
I have not heard anything from Tanya in last week or so. I wrote and mailed a letter two weeks ago but it got returned for some reason which has happened before. I remailed it so hopefully she will recieve it soon.
Continue praying that her request for our visit is approved soon, ministering to her in person will be so much easier since I am not a very effective writer. Thank you for all your prayers and concerns.
Continue praying that her request for our visit is approved soon, ministering to her in person will be so much easier since I am not a very effective writer. Thank you for all your prayers and concerns.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Got another letter from Tanya today. Please be in prayer for her that God will help to ease her pain and will give her clear thoughts. She has had a "setback" requiring some meds to help her through it. She continues to be very open concerning God and Christianity.
She is also excited about my family and the Rainwaters to visit her at St. Gabriel Prison. It will be a contact visit, meaning no thick plexiglass to talk through. She will be in shackles on arms and feet but will be able to sit at a table and visit. Please also pray that we will get approval quickly to go.
Also, on the two year anniversary of the shooting, (yesterday) the town of Bastrop unvailed a beautiful monument in honor of the fallen officers Chuck Wilson and John Smith. Visit link thenewstar.com for the story.
God is simply awesome. I often wonder what God is doing having me involved in all this. But trying to figure this kind of thing will drive one crazy. The key question for me is, am I willing to do whatever God calls me to do? He has not revealed where this all leads, for He only reveals our next step. I pray I will be willing to take that "next" step, not only in this situation with Tanya but in my everyday life. To Him be all the honor and glory. God, use me!!!!!
She is also excited about my family and the Rainwaters to visit her at St. Gabriel Prison. It will be a contact visit, meaning no thick plexiglass to talk through. She will be in shackles on arms and feet but will be able to sit at a table and visit. Please also pray that we will get approval quickly to go.
Also, on the two year anniversary of the shooting, (yesterday) the town of Bastrop unvailed a beautiful monument in honor of the fallen officers Chuck Wilson and John Smith. Visit link thenewstar.com for the story.
God is simply awesome. I often wonder what God is doing having me involved in all this. But trying to figure this kind of thing will drive one crazy. The key question for me is, am I willing to do whatever God calls me to do? He has not revealed where this all leads, for He only reveals our next step. I pray I will be willing to take that "next" step, not only in this situation with Tanya but in my everyday life. To Him be all the honor and glory. God, use me!!!!!
Monday, August 10, 2009
From the Beginning
I became acquainted with Tanya Smith in May of 2009 through Mark Rainwater, a dear friend and member of New Hope Baptist Church in Monroe La. where I was serving as Transitional Pastor. Mark had been asked by a local newspaper to cover her trial and write an article each day. I began reading the articles, not out of interest for Tanya, but an interest in Mark Rainwater.
Tanya Smith was on trial, charged with two counts of murder of two fine Bastrop, La, police detectives, as well as numerous weapons charges. What makes the murder charges interesting is the fact that Tanya was not the person to shoot and kill the officers, but was charged with the crimes due to her presence in that hotel room. Her boyfriend Dennis Clem was actually the one that did the shooting and was killed in the ensuing gun battle. Tanya left the room and hitched a ride with a friend to Houston Tx. and was arrested by US Marshalls a week later and brought back to north Louisiana for trial. Tanya was subsequently found guilty and sentenced to 2 life terms for the murder plus 85 years on the weapons charges.
Mark Rainwater had asked in Prayer Meeting that Wednesday, for the church to pray for him because he and his wife Charlotte were going to the jail to visit her and bring her a Bible. We prayed that night for both Mark and Charlotte but also for Tanya. According to Mark the visit went really well, and Tanya said she appreciated the gift.
Mark then asked for us to send her a card to let her know we were all praying for her. I did just that with a heart that was closed to people like Tanya. I have always believed that people like her were of no use and should be put away and then throw away the key.
After a couple of weeks, I received a 6 page letter from Tanya from St. Gabriel prison in Baton Rouge, La where she will spend the remainder of her life.
Tanya is not a Christian. She is an Odenist and Dennis was a member was a member of the notorious prison gang known as the Arryian Circle. The Bible Mark and Charlotte gave her was her only introduction to the Bible, and they were the first to ever "minister" to her.
Over the course of the last several months I have corresponded with Tanya as have the Rainwaters, and I am amazed at what God is doing in her life. She is such a fragile person right now, but she has asked some really good questions about God and heaven. Tanya is searching for TRUTH.
Last week Mark and I received great news from Tanya. She sent us forms to come and visit her in prison.
The purpose of this blog is to keep everyone informed as to how she is doing and share with you specific prayer concerns, prayer concerns that she has expressed to us. There are some things that I will not be able to share with you, some things that have been shared in confidence.
Today, on the two year anniversary of the shooting, I ask that you prayer for Chuck Wilson and John Smith's families. People lost a husband, a father, and many lost good friends that day. Pray that these families will find their strength in the security of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Pray also for Tanya that she will realize that God has a plan for her life and that Jesus Christ still loves her. Lastly, pray for the Rainwaters and my family as we minister to Tanya. We have already received criticism for reaching out to her, but we know that God is going to do something great in her life. I remind myself often that Christ was greatly criticized for hanging out with sinners. I will throw no stones.
Tanya Smith was on trial, charged with two counts of murder of two fine Bastrop, La, police detectives, as well as numerous weapons charges. What makes the murder charges interesting is the fact that Tanya was not the person to shoot and kill the officers, but was charged with the crimes due to her presence in that hotel room. Her boyfriend Dennis Clem was actually the one that did the shooting and was killed in the ensuing gun battle. Tanya left the room and hitched a ride with a friend to Houston Tx. and was arrested by US Marshalls a week later and brought back to north Louisiana for trial. Tanya was subsequently found guilty and sentenced to 2 life terms for the murder plus 85 years on the weapons charges.
Mark Rainwater had asked in Prayer Meeting that Wednesday, for the church to pray for him because he and his wife Charlotte were going to the jail to visit her and bring her a Bible. We prayed that night for both Mark and Charlotte but also for Tanya. According to Mark the visit went really well, and Tanya said she appreciated the gift.
Mark then asked for us to send her a card to let her know we were all praying for her. I did just that with a heart that was closed to people like Tanya. I have always believed that people like her were of no use and should be put away and then throw away the key.
After a couple of weeks, I received a 6 page letter from Tanya from St. Gabriel prison in Baton Rouge, La where she will spend the remainder of her life.
Tanya is not a Christian. She is an Odenist and Dennis was a member was a member of the notorious prison gang known as the Arryian Circle. The Bible Mark and Charlotte gave her was her only introduction to the Bible, and they were the first to ever "minister" to her.
Over the course of the last several months I have corresponded with Tanya as have the Rainwaters, and I am amazed at what God is doing in her life. She is such a fragile person right now, but she has asked some really good questions about God and heaven. Tanya is searching for TRUTH.
Last week Mark and I received great news from Tanya. She sent us forms to come and visit her in prison.
The purpose of this blog is to keep everyone informed as to how she is doing and share with you specific prayer concerns, prayer concerns that she has expressed to us. There are some things that I will not be able to share with you, some things that have been shared in confidence.
Today, on the two year anniversary of the shooting, I ask that you prayer for Chuck Wilson and John Smith's families. People lost a husband, a father, and many lost good friends that day. Pray that these families will find their strength in the security of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Pray also for Tanya that she will realize that God has a plan for her life and that Jesus Christ still loves her. Lastly, pray for the Rainwaters and my family as we minister to Tanya. We have already received criticism for reaching out to her, but we know that God is going to do something great in her life. I remind myself often that Christ was greatly criticized for hanging out with sinners. I will throw no stones.
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