Dan's Reports: #6

Dan’s report #31

We went to a prison here in Ivano with Svetlana and met with Igor, the man we need to enter the prison. This time the nun came with us, we can’t do anything about that.

I think the prison would be like a detention centre as they wait for paperwork to go through the system. We spoke to about 25 prisoners in a small room along with three prison guards. You could see their expressions as we were so close to them. Some sadness and regret and for others frustration and anger. As I was speaking there were some that put up a front of not wanting to hear but you could tell deep inside they were taking it all in, which was good!

After the message we gave them all New Testaments, a Bible text and a gospel tract; as they were leaving a few said thank you.

Igor told us that we would speak to about 125 prisoner at the next prison but before afterwards told us there would be 300! This meant I had to get more N/T and I was not looking forward to a 4 hour round trip to Lviv. Anyway, Svetlana came with as we headed to Lviv and there we met with Ruslan; saw the new hall for the Lviv assembly which is almost ready to have meetings in. Then we picked up 500 more N/T at the Bible Society and also picked up Vladimir on the way out and headed back to Ivano together. We had a great conversation about salvation with Svetlana.

Thursday we left early morning to a prison near a town called Dolena, about a 1 ½ hours from Ivano. Vladimir and Svetlana came with me and we picked up Igor. This time no nun which was good.

This prison was minimum security, the last stop before leaving the prison. This time Vladimir interpreted for me and did a great job. About 150-200 prisoners were spoken to and by the looks of it God was touching their hearts! There were a few that ask if I could come back and these grown men were asking me to sign their New Testaments. They all received bible text and a tract. After the meeting we had coffee and tea with the officers that run the prison, our time spent with them was longer than usual but the talk was good! Before was left we gave three boxes of clothes and shoes for the prisoners.

Igor stayed at the prison as we went to visit a school in Dolena. There we met with the principal and ask if we can speak with the students. The principal remembered the last visit to this school  about three years ago, and welcomed us with open arms; we will meet with the students on Monday.

Friday Tarras was unable to interpret for me not due to work and called me late Thursday evening. God knew about this, as Vladimir was with me and was able to fill in. We picked up Igor and another man also name Igor who also worked in the prison system and this time the nun came with, O well.

This prison was about 45 min from Ivano. We found this prison more difficult as this it was an all-women prison of about 140 women. We didn’t mind the nun being with us this with their eyes time!

 They all listened very well to the message but I think they tried to cast a spell on Vladimir with their eyes. It almost worked but by the time was got back to Ivano he was back to himself. We gave them all N/T and most received a bible text and a tract but we ran out, we also left four boxes of clothes for the women. Afterwards the two Igor’s, Vladimir and I went to a restaurant and there had a great conversation about God and His salvation plan!

   God truly blessed each visit, Thank You so much for all your prayers, He really answers prayers!!

In Christ our Lord

Dan