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.