After my last visit with Tanya I was somewhat discouraged and really worried about her (see my last post for details), today she was a totally different person. Today was the first time she got to meet with Budda which really excited her. It was so cool to see them hug each other like they had known each other for years.
She went to church the past Sunday and stayed for the whole service which is a miracle itself. To be honest, Tanya talked for a solid two hours and Budda and I just sat and listened. Tanya has no really meaningful converstation about the us and the Rainwaters and she really takes off, haha.
I would have never dreamed that someone like Tanya would come into my life and change me as much as she has. Let me rephrase that, change that was brought about by God through Tanya. Little did she know, she would be used in all our lives to teach us to love the unlovable.
I am having a knee transplant on June 8, so I will not be able to see her for a month or so, which is disappointing, she is such a breath of fresh air for me and my ministry.
I hope you enjoy the picture taken this afternoon of the three of us, can you see the pride in our eyes.
WOW! God is so good.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The past
I spent the weekend in ministry at Angola at the prison revival that the Louisiana Baptist Convention holds each year, which is one of my favorite places to be and to minister.
On Saturday we had lunch in the cafeteria with all the prisoners and I had the opportunity to eat a meal with the Inmate Chaplain by the name of Steven. He's been in Angola for 25 years and only had 90 days left. While he has been in Angola he received his 4 year Seminary degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
The reason for my mentioning him is that I shared with him about Tanya's experience and her sentence. He told me that Tanya is the type of person that is going to change the world, and that her story would lead many people to Christ.
I told him of a concern that I have about Tanya. Tanya has racist tattoos all over her body including her legs. Since it has been hot and this being her first summer to get to be in general population, she has been wearing shorts and some people have asked about those "tats". She has commented about it several times to me, that she is no longer like that and that some don't understand that.
Back to Stephen, i asked him about the tat issue with Tanya, and he said that she couldn't change what she was but God can change what she is to become. He also stated that one day she will look at her tats and be thankful for how far God has brought her.
Budda and I will be going to see her again this Friday. Please pray for her, please, please, pray for her.
On Saturday we had lunch in the cafeteria with all the prisoners and I had the opportunity to eat a meal with the Inmate Chaplain by the name of Steven. He's been in Angola for 25 years and only had 90 days left. While he has been in Angola he received his 4 year Seminary degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
The reason for my mentioning him is that I shared with him about Tanya's experience and her sentence. He told me that Tanya is the type of person that is going to change the world, and that her story would lead many people to Christ.
I told him of a concern that I have about Tanya. Tanya has racist tattoos all over her body including her legs. Since it has been hot and this being her first summer to get to be in general population, she has been wearing shorts and some people have asked about those "tats". She has commented about it several times to me, that she is no longer like that and that some don't understand that.
Back to Stephen, i asked him about the tat issue with Tanya, and he said that she couldn't change what she was but God can change what she is to become. He also stated that one day she will look at her tats and be thankful for how far God has brought her.
Budda and I will be going to see her again this Friday. Please pray for her, please, please, pray for her.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The end times
I got another letter from Tanya yesterday that my wife read to me over the phone. Tanya has been going through a really tough time lately, struggling between doing what is right, and what is wrong. She reported another inmate for something that she was doing to Tanya and now Tanya is known as a liar and snitch, not a good title to carry in the prison system. She really seemed down in the letter and said that we would discuss it more at our visit tomorrow.
Here's some really good news. She has been reading the book of Revelation lately and is really confused. The reason this is good news is because it opens the door wide open to share about salvation, in that if you have a relationship with Christ, the end times are nothing to worry about.
It amazes me, frustrates would be a better word, to hear people reading and deliberating about the end times and what all that means, when they don't understand a relationship with Christ. People need to spend their time and devotion to having a deeper walk with Christ before they take on end times.
Please be praying for me tomorrow. I am really going to go into spiritual depths that Tanya and I have never been before, pray that I will be clear ad concise and that she will have an open heart to the gospel. Most importantly pray that God's will be done.
Here's some really good news. She has been reading the book of Revelation lately and is really confused. The reason this is good news is because it opens the door wide open to share about salvation, in that if you have a relationship with Christ, the end times are nothing to worry about.
It amazes me, frustrates would be a better word, to hear people reading and deliberating about the end times and what all that means, when they don't understand a relationship with Christ. People need to spend their time and devotion to having a deeper walk with Christ before they take on end times.
Please be praying for me tomorrow. I am really going to go into spiritual depths that Tanya and I have never been before, pray that I will be clear ad concise and that she will have an open heart to the gospel. Most importantly pray that God's will be done.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Yesterday's visit
The visit with Tanya yesterday went really well. When she came in and saw Mark and I together, she burst out with excitement, clapping her hands and ran to hug us, it seemed to really make her day.
Tanya still has not accepted Christ as her Saviour but she has accepted the fact that Christ is real. She's really thinking all this through and will not make a harsh decision, she said she wants to make the decision for her and only for her. I am so proud of her. I wish everyone that accepted Christ would sit back and weigh that decision, realizing the price one has to pay in proclaiming Christ as Lord. Is she saved? NO....is she being saved? YES.
She asked me if I would baptize her when that decision was made which brought tears to my eyes, although I'm not sure if the prison officials will allow me to do that. WOW, what an honor that would be.
Mark, Tanya and I visited for the entire two hours, which including all of holding hands and praying together. We discuss some very personal things which I do no have the liberty to share here.
I am asking everyone to commit to praying for Tanya everyday at 3:00 pm. pray is what will lead her across the line into the arms of Christ. please intercede for her, please stand in the gap for her.
I heard someone say a couple of weeks ago, that when God continues to put someone on your heart to pray for, He intends to answer that prayer. Well, Tanya has been on our hearts for over a year now and I know He intends to answer our prayer that she will get saved. It must be done on Gods timing and not our own.
To God be the glory.
Tanya still has not accepted Christ as her Saviour but she has accepted the fact that Christ is real. She's really thinking all this through and will not make a harsh decision, she said she wants to make the decision for her and only for her. I am so proud of her. I wish everyone that accepted Christ would sit back and weigh that decision, realizing the price one has to pay in proclaiming Christ as Lord. Is she saved? NO....is she being saved? YES.
She asked me if I would baptize her when that decision was made which brought tears to my eyes, although I'm not sure if the prison officials will allow me to do that. WOW, what an honor that would be.
Mark, Tanya and I visited for the entire two hours, which including all of holding hands and praying together. We discuss some very personal things which I do no have the liberty to share here.
I am asking everyone to commit to praying for Tanya everyday at 3:00 pm. pray is what will lead her across the line into the arms of Christ. please intercede for her, please stand in the gap for her.
I heard someone say a couple of weeks ago, that when God continues to put someone on your heart to pray for, He intends to answer that prayer. Well, Tanya has been on our hearts for over a year now and I know He intends to answer our prayer that she will get saved. It must be done on Gods timing and not our own.
To God be the glory.
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