Praise Report!

I would like to testify of God's saving power. I was BLESSED to be able to lead a young girl (maybe 15?) to the Lord during Detention Home service on Monday night. I started this work about 2 years ago, with a strong desire to reach out to young ladies that are exactly where I used to be. The girls ages range from 10 to 17, and are being detained for anything from stealing to murder. We go once a month and minister to the girls (anywhere from 1 to 10 usually) for now. I am still working on our guys to get them to with me and reach out to the teenage boys there. It started out as a youth out-reach, but now it's usually me and Sister Shirley Pelfrey that go. Anyway.... about the service. God was already working on the hearts of these girls before we even came (many other church groups come in, as well). One of the black girls sang a beautiful song that got one girl to crying. Then I opened up for prayer requests. They began to share how they needed God's help to make better decisions in life, and the girl that later got saved, requested prayer for "strength to be able to walk in the ways of Jesus". So laying aside the devotion I had planned, I just let the Lord lead me into testifying about how I should have been in a detention home MYSELF for all the bad things I did as a teenager. I told them of how my mom was getting ready to kick me out of the house, and that is when I hit rock bottom and KNEW I could only get my life straight with God's help. I just simply told them WHAT GOD HAD DONE FOR ME and how he has KEPT ME by his grace for 9 years now, free from the bondage of this world! And before you knew it, all 8 girls were crying and the mighty presence of the Lord was in that room. I gave an invitation for anyone that wanted to be saved to raise their hand and I would come and pray with them. Unfortunately, my time was about up (limited to strictly 1 hour). But I was able to have a short prayer with this young girl, as she poured her heart out to the Lord, not caring of who was around. That's how I KNEW it was genuine. I wish I was able to contact them to encourge them, but because of them being underage, the facility will not allow it. I usually try to leave tracts with them, so they will know where we are when they get out.

There are SO MANY young people out there that are crying out for that LIVING WATER to quench the overwhelming thirst in their souls. I am just thankful that Jesus was able to flow through me to bring this soul to the WINNING side! Words cannot express the joy I feel in being able to see fruit from my labors. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!