From Mike:
As usual, you never know what you are going to encounter. Last night TWO of the young men who have been there were on their way out last night! Praise God for them. They are going to group homes, That is such a blessing to see young men who are on their way. They were so joyful, and both of them met with us for a couple minutes after the group in general left and talked about how they know God and know that God has and will help them. We gave them our contact information. Their names are Marquis and Jose and they have been with our group consistently. They both talked about the rules they have to follow and how they plan to do that. Susie warned them of some of the stuff we have seen in the housing, like just because another kid says you can do something doesn't mean it is ok, to always talk to your Parole officer or the house leader or something. They know they can't associate with other offenders outside the housing.
On the other side, for me, the heartbreaking moment of the night was when we met our new youngster. He is FOURTEEN...14 years old. When we introduced ourselves he said he has four years to go. 14-18 of his life, the years where most kids are going to high school, dating, getting that first job, playing sports, etc. Now he will be learning a whole different set of things. When he supplied information, name, birthday etc you can barely read his writing. It is so hard to imagine him ending up on the good side of things. He is a very small kid and probably came up about to most of the kids middle of their chest. Just looked so small and innocent. Please pray for him, he calls himself Jose, he scribbled something else on the paper but said he can't really say it? I think it was like Humberto or something but God will know who you are praying for. Hard to imagine what a 14 year old kid can do that would get him 4 years in that place, but I am sure he belongs there. But pray that God will help us touch him
Please pray for them also as the funding crisis continues- the bill that Governor Jerry Brown is proposing will probably close all the state stuff and turn them over to the counties which will also expose them to much bigger populations I would expect so we need to pray that they are given some kind of special care for just youths, they are still so young and need so much help. Thanks for listening and praying.
As usual, you never know what you are going to encounter. Last night TWO of the young men who have been there were on their way out last night! Praise God for them. They are going to group homes, That is such a blessing to see young men who are on their way. They were so joyful, and both of them met with us for a couple minutes after the group in general left and talked about how they know God and know that God has and will help them. We gave them our contact information. Their names are Marquis and Jose and they have been with our group consistently. They both talked about the rules they have to follow and how they plan to do that. Susie warned them of some of the stuff we have seen in the housing, like just because another kid says you can do something doesn't mean it is ok, to always talk to your Parole officer or the house leader or something. They know they can't associate with other offenders outside the housing.
On the other side, for me, the heartbreaking moment of the night was when we met our new youngster. He is FOURTEEN...14 years old. When we introduced ourselves he said he has four years to go. 14-18 of his life, the years where most kids are going to high school, dating, getting that first job, playing sports, etc. Now he will be learning a whole different set of things. When he supplied information, name, birthday etc you can barely read his writing. It is so hard to imagine him ending up on the good side of things. He is a very small kid and probably came up about to most of the kids middle of their chest. Just looked so small and innocent. Please pray for him, he calls himself Jose, he scribbled something else on the paper but said he can't really say it? I think it was like Humberto or something but God will know who you are praying for. Hard to imagine what a 14 year old kid can do that would get him 4 years in that place, but I am sure he belongs there. But pray that God will help us touch him
Please pray for them also as the funding crisis continues- the bill that Governor Jerry Brown is proposing will probably close all the state stuff and turn them over to the counties which will also expose them to much bigger populations I would expect so we need to pray that they are given some kind of special care for just youths, they are still so young and need so much help. Thanks for listening and praying.
Hello!
Our time at the prison last night was blessed and rich, as always. We heard MANY thank you's last night for the Christmas care packages - especially the new socks. They LOVED the socks!!! We've made a note of that for next year. Thank you again for all of the prayers, donations and support that you all provided as we prepared for the Christmas celebration in December.
Marquis (19) and Jose (21) saw the parole board yesterday and are being released today to a youth home in Perris! We had a great conversation with them at the end of the evening about valuing freedom, seeking God, and I reminded them that although they have been eating every meal in prison and sleeping every night in prison for quite some time - it is not where they belong. That they need not return there - but protect their freedom and their worth. They have both acknowledged God since our very first visit and both talked of God last night. I will continue to write to them and they have our contact info to stay in touch. Please pray for them as they adjust to their new freedom. They were both standing taller, had joy on their faces and in their eyes and looked more mature. We are so happy for both of them stepping into the next chapter of their lives today.
We met a new young man last night, and he is only 14 years old. He's been at the facility for 2 weeks. He is physically VERY small... his writing is very hard to read and I think his name is Humberto, but he asked us to call him Jose. He expects to be incarcerated for 4 years. My heart was singing over the release of Jose and Marquis, and yet weeping for this small and immature boy who will spend his teen years in a youth prison. Please pray that his ears and heart will be open to God as we grow our relationship with him.
Freedom was the topic last night. I asked all of the boys to tell me what came to mind when I said the word freedom. So many varied answers were given... spending time with my family, being in the fresh air, many spoke of making their own choices. Kemone clearly and confidently stated that for him, freedom meant heaven. He is so articulate and speaks with such confidence about God. I love hearing him talk. I shared with all of them that for me, freedom means freedom from guilt, shame and internal turmoil. And that Jesus provided freedom from it all. That I can lay it all at His feet and He gives me freedom.
When I was finished, Mike spoke about the confidence of those in the Bible who knew who Jesus was and what He could do. The centurion knew that He could heal without being present - the bleeding woman knew He would heal if she just touched his robe - the friends knew their paralyzed friend would be healed if they lowered their friend down through the roof into Jesus' presence. After telling each story, Mike shared a current story of a man who was in Haiti during the earthquake. Mike and I had just seen an interview with this man a few days ago on the internet. He spoke of being with a friend in a hotel when the earthquake struck, and being buried alive. He told of finding himself in the pitch dark, bleeding, and fearing death. He found safety in an elevator and spent two days there - where he felt God pursue Him and change Him. After two days without food or water, he was rescued and has gone on to proclaim his faith and acknowledge that God saved his life, when his friend perished. It was absolutely still in the room while Mike spoke, as it always is.
During the prayer circle, many thanked God for the strength to get through another day, many prayed for their families and many of them continue to pray for our son, Tim. Almost all of them always thank God for Mike and Susie... it is so humbling...It was a lengthy prayer time last night - longer than usual. And even our new friend, Jose, spoke many words to God. I treasure these prayer circles...
We will be making a special visit to the facility tomorrow, Saturday, to spend time with Kyle, Louis and Kemone.
Knowing that you are all praying for them strengthens these boys, and gives them hope. Thank you for caring so deeply about them...
Loving Jesus,
Mike and Susie
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Prayer Requests
- Ivan - he spoke with us about being on an immigration hold and fearing deportation when he is released.
- Jose - he is 14 and needs prayers for protection and wisdom
- Kyle - was very agitated last night, pray for the Lord's peace to prevail in his heart
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