By Des Keller
THE REST OF THE STORY….“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?” Matthew 12:18
Sunday Abundant Joy was scheduled at Manning CI. It was a 3.5-4 HR drive one way. When we arrived, everything seemed set and ready.
As we were setting up, the chapel praise team was practicing. The Lord’s presence was very strong and we were able to worship with them even before Church began. The chapel team opened the service with prayer, shared a poem, & they were starting their first song. Abundant Joy would then tag-team them and continue the service. 85 men had arrived ready to worship and receive. We were excited to be there and ready to go. But this isn’t how it played out.
An officer arrived and everything fell silent. He spoke the words; “LOCK-DOWN, go to your dorms.” Service was over before it got going!
As we were leaving the prison, one of the officers pointed at a lady outside the fence & asked us to tell that lady that the prison was on locked-down and there wouldn’t be any visitation for the day. As we walked out of the gate we told the lady the message. Conversation continued with the lady and when she found out that the three of us were there to minister, she thanked us profusely about our serving the Lord by going to prisons.
Then she started crying and sobbing. Her heart was obviously broken, and she reached out for comfort. We were there with the “ONE” that God had us leave the 99 (or really the 85) to speak God’s Word. Lee was able to hold her while she released her sadness, and we were able to minister God’s Love & pray with her.
We had driven around 8 hours for the one. Devine Appointment! There is even a little more to the story…….
After we were able to minister to Kim, Lockdown was released for visitation. She and others were able to see their family member after all.