I was in prison, and you came to Me

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. ’ 

Matthew 25:35-36 

Usually on Saturday, the team spends a leisurely day shopping and eating. But for four of us on this day, we went to prison.

Two weeks ago Shelia received an email from pastor Wilman, stating that a man he knew needed surgery for his torn rotator cuff. His surgeon had written him a prescription for a rotator cuff anchor, which the patient would need to buy. Wilman asked if we could obtain this. I called a surgeon friend in Lexington, who advised that two or more anchors would be needed. He directed me to the orthopedic supply coordinator at CBH, who directed me to the local representative of the company which makes the anchors. He contacted his boss, who gave us six anchors at no charge on behalf of the company. Yesterday, we learned that the patient is an inmate at the provincial prison in Ecuador, and was a part of the church in that prison. So this morning Wilman, Shelia, two men from the team, and myself went to the prison in Ibarra.

 As it turned out, the man had been taken to the hospital to have an abscess and hematoma in his arm drained. But since we were already there, we saw about twenty of the inmates, providing them with glasses and medical evaluations. Afterwards, we toured the prison, up close and personal. The central courtyard was about 30 x 60 feet, in which were standing about 500 men and women. The sleeping areas were very small, and the bathrooms were few. Several inmates shook our hands, while others asked for money. The experience left a strong impression.

We did eventually visit the patient (William) at the hospital. We learned from him that he had been in prison for ten years, following the murder of his unfaithful wife. He later encountered Jesus, and now is an impassioned believer. He wept openly, moved by the gift of the anchors. As we recounted the long series of people involved, I suggested that he "pay forward" the gift. He plans on writing to the company, and to dedicating his life to caring for his children and his wife's parents. He is scheduled for potential parole this year.

With eyes opened to what God is doing,
Tim