Encountering the Unexpected in Prison
Last week a young man who had been transferred to another prison said in a letter to another prisoner how he appreciated what the PF team had done. Another man who is still there told us that a visit and a hug by a Christian couple had made him "feel human". Later a senior team member and I gave that brother a hug.
I joined Prison Fellowship to minister to people in prison. But sometimes, somehow, I feel myself unexpectedly ministered to and edified by the encounter I have with the prisoners, and by the opportunity to minister to them.
I have to admit, the first time I went there I was not only unsure of what to expect but also of what to do. I kept reminding myself not to expect too much from myself ( I'm one of those introverts ). I could merely try to copy what other, more experienced team members did. My relatively less-developed social skills did not help either. But I remember what one of my senior team leaders once told me. He told me that we are all humans, and the fact that we make the effort to come there every week or two is in itself appreciated by the prisoners.
Indeed, although I have still much to learn, I have come to know, appreciate, love and, especially in the case of one particular man, respect the prisoners. I have begun to establish friendships with one or two and learnt to pray for them. After a few weeks I spoke to some and I even forgot they were prisoners. Last week a young man who had been transferred to another prison said in a letter to another prisoner how he appreciated what the PF team had done. Another man who is still there told us that a visit and a hug by a Christian couple had made him "feel human". Later a senior team member and I gave that brother a hug.
Sometimes I still wonder if I am suitable for this ministry. But then I remember that it is not I who minister to the men; it is the Lord. All I can do is pray that God uses me and fills in the gaps. This ministry is worth doing, not just because it edifies me and reminds me the purpose of my life every week ( which it does) , but also because in it, God proves again that He can and will use a weak person such as myself to touch others like me.
- Jonathan C. Tay
I have to admit, the first time I went there I was not only unsure of what to expect but also of what to do. I kept reminding myself not to expect too much from myself ( I'm one of those introverts ). I could merely try to copy what other, more experienced team members did. My relatively less-developed social skills did not help either. But I remember what one of my senior team leaders once told me. He told me that we are all humans, and the fact that we make the effort to come there every week or two is in itself appreciated by the prisoners.
Indeed, although I have still much to learn, I have come to know, appreciate, love and, especially in the case of one particular man, respect the prisoners. I have begun to establish friendships with one or two and learnt to pray for them. After a few weeks I spoke to some and I even forgot they were prisoners. Last week a young man who had been transferred to another prison said in a letter to another prisoner how he appreciated what the PF team had done. Another man who is still there told us that a visit and a hug by a Christian couple had made him "feel human". Later a senior team member and I gave that brother a hug.
Sometimes I still wonder if I am suitable for this ministry. But then I remember that it is not I who minister to the men; it is the Lord. All I can do is pray that God uses me and fills in the gaps. This ministry is worth doing, not just because it edifies me and reminds me the purpose of my life every week ( which it does) , but also because in it, God proves again that He can and will use a weak person such as myself to touch others like me.
- Jonathan C. Tay
Last modified
2005-12-22 08:55 AM