Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. (Hebrews 13:3)Some will say that 'Raymond' is justly ill-treated, since he was put into prison for life for his wrong doing. But I wonder if we really understand that if we're going to get only what what we deserve, a lot of us would be where he is? Or worse?
One thing seems obvious--the evil deed that Raymond did many years ago that put him into prison for life is resulting in blessing for many inmates. He also blesses me in our weekly phone calls!
But my real reason for writing today is to ask for prayer--for prisoners, whose lives Raymond's life is touching. Whatever has gone on before, Raymond is God's servant now. Here are some of the Muslims that he is reaching (names have all been changed):
Ahmed = is no
longer antagonistic toward Raymond as he was in the beginning. He even
introduced Raymond to Aziz. They may be trying to ‘convert’ Raymond to Islam, but that is giving Raymond opportunity to discuss important questions that Muslims
have (such as the accusation that the Bible is corrupted, etc.).
Robert made the comment that he saw a good side of Christianity that he never
saw before when he attended one the Christian services recently. Raymond commented: "I'm going to
talk to him about it and invite him to Bible study as soon as I get a chance.’’
Aboud grew up as a nominal Christian, converted to Islam,
and at first was aggressive against Raymond, but now has adopted a much better
attitude. (He read in the Qur’an where it says to treat outsiders with
respect.) They talk together frequently. "Aboud ‘payed me a visit today and it
was like one of those God moments where you could just sense the presence of
the Lord in the room. During casual conversation he brought up the discovery
of the Dead Sea Scrolls, how the young Arab shepherd boy went after his lost
sheep." Raymond told him “how I just read the parable of the lost sheep the
other day and how God went after me when I went astray.”
Jad betrayed Raymond and accused him openly before the Muslim congregation, trying to humiliate him in front of them all. Raymond had given him a tract, in answer to one of his questions.
Karam is an imam, a sort of Muslim pastor. In one of his sermons, he warned all the Muslims about Raymond, but happily this only stirred up interest in the Gospel.
Joseph is 21 years
old, lives two cells down from Raymond. Just became a Muslim two days ago (said
the creed). Many more ‘Christians’ convert to Islam in prison than Muslims
become followers of Jesus. Pray that this trend will be reversed!
William is Raymond’s roommate, claims to be a Christian, but is a universalist, but still
believes in hell (go figure). Raymond confesses that he too easily lets himself be kept up
late at night discussing—and sometimes arguing with William. Pray that the
Lord would open William’s eyes. Pray that Raymond can resist getting sucked
into unproductive arguments!
There are many more, but we'll save them for another time. Please pray!
U.S. Director
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