Easter April 2020

It is my joy to share a “memory of Easter” from our early years at CCWF, 1995.

For Sunday service in A-Yard (Receiving Unit) we were asked to conduct Aglow Easter Service outdoors. What a blessing to share my recent healing testimony for 250 women “sitting-on-the-yard”. Nearly everyone answered the invitation to accept Jesus as their Savior. The Angels rejoiced as women were “born” into the family of God! I gave Shepherd Foundation men’s book UNDER ARREST to the Chaplain for distribution. Only God knew I would write VESSELS OF HONOR books for incarcerated women five years later, and tell the following miracle story in it.

Monday Night Aglow filled-up to capacity in Main Yard Chapel as I began the chorus “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” from the little organ. Soon our ministry team was alerted that an inmate was sick and lying on the bench next to the wall. We kept on singing as an Officer was called. She exclaimed, “She has stopped breathing!”

The Officer could NOT find a pulse! She called the Medics, and ordered everyone to EXIT the Chapel. Only the soft sound of the organ was heard, when suddenly the Officer yelled, “Can anyone do CPR?”  In seconds, two inmates ran back into the Chapel and literally jumped over chairs to respond. Everyone began to softy pray, taking authority over death, speaking life and healing into this woman. The name of JESUS was heard in music and voices as God sent His incredible peace.

Medics arrived, placed the inmate on a gurney, and went out the Chapel door.   As they rolled it along, we heard the Officer say, ”Oh, she’s breathing again!”  The Officer stayed and told everyone to return to the Chapel.  With a controlled, emotional voice, she commended us for how we responded during this trauma. Then she gently added, “You may continue Church.”                   

 No one spoke a word. We were in awe…we knew GOD WAS THERE!!!  Inmates returned to their seats, the ministry team took their places, I was still playing that dear, old chorus, so we just kept singing and worshiping God until time to leave. We had seen “Easter” with our own eyes… “God had restored life” to our sister!

Luke 24:6-7   KJV

6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake
unto you when He was yet in Galilee,

7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the
hands of sinful men,

and be crucified, and the third day rise again.