When we pulled up to the guard shack today in my son's car, we had forgotten to take out some bullets and shotgun shells he had in the car, needless to say that really didn't go over well. We had to leave and find a place to throw them away, but then they let us in upon our return.
Budda and I found Tanya doing really well and upbeat. She told us that she did not get into the Seminary there at St. Gabriel which is to begin in September. Thank you to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for beginning this same program as at Angola for the inmates. She was disappointed but knows that her time will come.
She shared with us how other inmates could tell the difference in her, that there was a "glow" to her, and wondered what had happened. She told them that she had accepted Christ.
Toward the end of our two hour visit Tanya said something that I will never forget, "I have lost everything I ever had, but am the riches that I have ever been, cause I now have family and a relationship with God." Needless to say, all 3 of sat and cried together, absolutely amazing.
Mark, Charlotte, Budda and I will be returning to the prison on August 6, to celebrate Tanya's 27 Birthday, she is so excited.
Be praying for Tanya, as August is the 3 year anniversary of the shooting which put Tanya where she is today. This is a very hard time for her and she really struggles.

Part II

Now that Tanya has become a Christian, our responsibility does not end there, God is in no way finished with incredible work. Her salvation is only a chapter in her book of life with many more chapters still to be written.
The only way for us to disciple her is through the mail. St. Gabriel has a new Chaplain, and I pray that Tanya will allow him to be a part of that process. We are currently working on her baptism, which she desires. The Rainwater's and Budda and I would love to be there when she is baptized but because of the strict rules of the prison that may not be possible.
I know that God would not lead her to this point and then stop opening doors for her. I also know that evil will do everything possible to pull her away from her decision to accept Christ. Join with me in praying that she will remain strong and committed to her Savior.
Budda and I are going to visit her this Friday followed by the Rainwater's visit on Saturday, so she will have a good weekend. Continue praying for us as we continue to follow the leadership of Christ.

Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him

I again apologize for not posting anything lately but I had knee replacement on June 8 and the recovery has been difficult to say the least. I missed my visit with Tanya two weeks ago but thankfully the Rainwaters were able to go.
I got a letter from Tanya a couple of weeks ago and she was really down and frustrated. She found out that the Prison Chap. was sent to Angola to be a Chap. there. This really hurt her cause he was a bright spot in her life. The Rainwaters and I were very concerned about this and wondered what would happen concerning what God was doing in her life. Would she become angry and bitter? Well, no need to worry for God is in control.

So here is the amazing news! I woke up yesterday morning to head to St. Gabriel to see Tanya and honestly I almost backed out, I was in a good bit of pain from my Physical Therapy the day before but I knew she was excited to have company.

I finally got into the gym for the visit and I sensed such a peace in the room. There was probably 10 other inmates and their visitors at the tables, but it was unusually quiet. Something was different, very different. I wasn't sure what it was but I soon found out.
Tanya came in and gave me a big hug and we sat down and visited for a few minutes about my surgery and how she was making it. About 30 minutes into the visit she became somewhat distracted and looking elsewhere while we talked, this was not normal. I asked her if she was ok, and she said that she wanted to talk to me about something.
She shared with me some things from her past and the bad decisions she had made, and that despite all those things she has come to realize that God loves her and does indeed have a plan for her life. She told me that when the Rainwater's and I began to write her, she would get angry and cry when we made the comment that God had a plan for her life, she just couldn't believe it. We talked about all the ways that God had expressed His love for her, meeting the Rainwaters, constantly putting people in her path to help her. People like Chap. Sumerall and some of the Christian inmates that she has come to know.
She said that she had made so many bad decisions that it was time for her to make a good one. She has had this idea that becoming a Christian meant that she would be "perfect" which I explained to her that that was not the case. SHE told me about Moses, that he killed someone yet God used him, I told her about David, that despite his imperfections God stilled used him.
I looked at her and said, "Tanya, its time." She looked at me with a tear in her eye and said, "I know, I want to, I want to be a Christian, I want forgiveness, I want to be in heaven."
I reached across the table and took her hand, right there in a Maximum Security prison, Tanya Smith prayed to recieve Christ. She looked up at me with the biggest smile on her face and said, "I think you were shaking more than I was." We got a big laugh at that and then she made this comment, " I am a Christian now, I am saved, I will go to Heaven, right." I assured her of that fact but informed her that God still has alot of work to do in her life and that the McCullin's and the Rainwater's were going to walk with her all the way.
WOW! Absolutely awesome.
I will post Part 2 in the next couple of days.
Again, Praise Him!!!!!