Amy's Newsletter
Prayer/Praise Letter for August 2008
“Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.”(Romans 15:1)
Dear Faithful Prayer Partner,
Thank you for your continued prayers on behalf of the gang ministry here in Nicaragua. The Lord continues to answer prayer in a marvelous way.
In my last prayer letter I wrote about a gang member, Marlon, who had become a Christian and asked you to pray for him. He has grown in the Lord and is very faithful in his witness before the other inmates. One day recently as he made his way to see someone, he passed some enemy gang members who were outside, during their recreation time. Although he and the others were handcuffed, one of the gang members took a hand-made weapon that someone passed to him, and lunged towards Marlon, stabbing him on the side. Marlon was taken to the medical area of the prison and treated for his wound and then sent back to his cell.
I spoke with the guys who were responsible for stabbing Marlon and they told me they had been told that Marlon was now a Christian. Was it true they asked me? I said yes. They sent a note of apology to Marlon for stabbing him. Marlon decided not to press charges against them saying, “I’m leaving everything in God’s hands.” This has impressed many prisoners there and also the guards. Marlon was transferred to another gallery for his own protection and is now attending “church services” in there. Thank you for praying for Marlon and the others.
Please pray for a gang member who has just been released from prison. His name is Victor. While in the prison he made a commitment to the Lord and has a desire to continue to follow Him. Things have not been easy for him since getting out of prison. He lives in a house with many families and most of them are in a gang composed of about 300 members (reported by the police). He would like to separate himself from the gang but has not where to go. Please pray that he will find a job and move away from that area. His life has already been threatened by the rival gang.
For a while the Lord has impressed upon my heart to write a Bible Study specifically for gangs. I want to use this mainly for the gangs in prison. Please pray for the Lord’s anointing to be upon this Bible Study and that He directs my thoughts and words in writing this. Thank you!
Thank you for praying and trusting the Lord with me in regards to the gangs and their need for a Savior.
Because of Him,
Amy
Prayer/Praise Letter for April 2008
“See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity.” (Deut. 30:15)
Dear Faithful Prayer Partner,
Thank you for your continued prayers on behalf of the gangs here in Nicaragua and of myself. The Lord is answering our prayers!
Next week, Lord willing, the gang members (4) who participated in learning the basics of welding, will graduate. One of the guys is already working with a welder. I deeply appreciate each of you who are supporting the gangs through your prayers and offerings. The welding class was made possible because of your gifts.
The ministry in the prison with the gangs is growing. Around twenty gang members are participating in a Bible Study each week. Although they are not able to leave their cells, they are completing the lessons each week faithfully. Also, I am able to give out talks that I have studied through the Word of God, on love, anger, the two roads (Matthew 7:13-14) two types of sons (wise and foolish), etc. I have been amazed and so thankful to the Lord for changes I have seen in many of the young men.
One of the main reasons that gangs do not become Christians here, is because they don’t trust God to handle the problems they had in the past with enemy gangs.
Several months ago I read in the newspaper about a gang leader (Wilber) whose youngest brother was shot and killed by a rival gang in their neighborhood. I visited Wilber and his family. Wilber is full of bitterness and hatred towards the other gang and said he could not forgive them for what they did to his brother. In the evening Wilber takes his Bible and goes to church. Then after church, he puts the Bible aside and takes up his AK-47 and goes out to the area where the enemy gang is, and begins to shoot. Last week, a young man was shot several times and is in the hospital. He had to have his leg amputated and is on a breathing machine with a punctured lung and kidney failure. Several neighbors saw Wilber at the scene.
Although I have spoken several times to Wilber and also warned him of “playing church”, he refuses to listen and hardens his heart continually. Please pray for Wilber as the Lord leads you. I am very concerned about him as well as the other gang members in the neighborhood.
Once again, thank you for your love and support of the gang ministry and of me. May the Lord bless you and your family!
Because of Him,
Amy
Prayer/Praise Letter for December 2007
"O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; His mercy endureth forever."
Psalms 145:1
Dear Prayer Partner,
How thankful I am for you! The Lord has blessed me tremendously since coming here to the US in July of this year, on stateside assignment (furlough). It has been an honor to be in many churches, speaking of my ministry with the gangs in Nicaragua. The response has been overwhelming! I thank the Lord for every opportunity to speak, the blessings I've received, but best of all for the new prayer partners.
The Lord continues to answer your prayers. Osvaldo called me not long ago and was very excited. He said that he is going throughout all the neighborhoods in the area where he lives, sharing his testimony with gang members.
As I return to Nicaragua, Lord willing, on the 5th of January 2008, I ask that you pray for the following requests:
- Safe travel on the plane to Nicaragua
- The gangs will be open to hear the Word of God once again
- The Lord will open new doors of ministry in other areas, with the gangs
- That Christian ex-gang members will join my team, "Gangs for Christ"
- That the door will open for me to return to the prison in Managua to minister to the gangs there
- That I may find the right place to live in Managua
- That I will be attentive to hear the voice of the Lord and obey Him in every situation
Remember, your prayers are a vital part of my ministry! I'm counting on you to hold me up in prayer. May the Lord bless you, your family and your church in 2008.
In His love,
Amy
