My Prison Experience

I (Martha) am often asked, "What do you do with the women in the prison?" Well, first let me say that I work with the foreign women who are incarcerated in Buen Pastor women's prison. These women are caught in Costa Rica on drug trafficking charges and some for tax evasion. Most of them are from South Africa, the US, and a few from other countries like Germany, Jamaica, and Canada.

We have a team of three leaders. One day a week, the leaders meet for training. This includes preparing lessons, setting agendas, and working through challenges we face with the inmates and the administration. We pray for the women in the program and support one another in this ministry. We have been together on this journey for well over a year now and have grown to appreciate each other's leadership styles and gifts, and recognize how they complement each other.

My mom's friend Jo Ann came recently and shared her testimony with the general prison population. Three received Christ as Lord and Savior that day, and so many came forward for prayer that we were overwhelmed and stayed long after the meeting.

The recovery group with the inmates has grown at times and shrunk at others. Some prisoners have been extradited, while others have joined, and still others dropped out. A lesson I have learned from my sponsor and that I tell everyone that comes through the recovery door is that "this program isn't for everyone." It is a hard, introspective look at oneself, and not everyone is ready for it. Those who have stuck it out have changed in incredible ways, forgiving those who have wronged them, admitting their guilt and seeking repentance, turning to God for answers and guidance, and learning to make healthier decisions. It is amazing to see the wonders that God is doing and has done in these women week after week. At the same time, some weeks are extremely difficult and draining. Fights break out, wrongs are committed, problems increase. It is only by God's mercy and goodness that anything good comes forth from any of us. So, I share this to give you a little insight as to "what I do in the prison," or, rather, "what I get to see God do in the prison." It is a challenge, but one that's well worth every minute. What a blessing to be allowed by our Lord to encourage and support these women. Wouldn't trade it for the world...