NOTE: caution to the reader, this story contains a lot of humor 🙂
Usually, the jail inmates are so well behaved with us. They are not the same people as they were out in the world. This is because they are GOD’s children, and the devil cannot so readily do his attacks on them inside the jail. Therefore, a large percentage of the jail inmates will again feel GOD’s presence, and remember who they are, children of GOD. But, despite that good behavior, jail ministry can be gritty, in diverse ways. I personally love that aspect of jail ministry. I love being in the fire. So, let me tell you about one quite funny account of this–of being, well, in a fire, of sorts.
Often when standing at the bars during jail ministry, I will be greeted with some pretty incredible smells, LOL. It can really jolt you! I mean, WOW, it has a punch, and it can be pretty continual at times. The inmates allege that it is from the bean meals they have in the jail, but they have not offered any verification of this scientific claim. 🙂
So, about two months ago, John Elieff (KJM missionary and board member) and I were each ministering at cells that are next to each other, standing about 12-15 feet from each other. As I was standing at the cell I was at–BAM!! I was encompassed by an odor that was at the extreme for jail ministry, which is a bit of a statement. Interestingly, and without any exaggeration, I felt GOD’s power, His mighty presence, overtaking me. He was saying,
“Jeff, this is not about you being comfortable. You are not going anywhere, you are to stand right where you are, and preach to these men!”
That was the message that GOD’s presence brought me. And in my soul, I literally sang out, in the quite of my mind, and in deep peace:
“Oh joy of being persecuted for the LORD!”
So, there I am, standing in a horrific situation, and it would not subside at all. Minutes went by, and it has the same intensity. And I felt the LORD still, saying something like this to me:
“I need you right here, right now, talking to these men, this is not about your enjoyment, it’s not about your little self finding refuge.”
I actually was feeling that holiness one feels when they deep endure suffering for the LORD, while in His service. Hallelujah!
But then, finally, one of the inmates burst out in laughter. As he jumped up from his bottom bunk, while laughing, he said:
“Chap, I am so sorry, I only want to keep listening to you, but I think I am gonna throw up pastor!”
The inmate said this amid a truly cheerful out-of-control laughter. He almost fell over as he jumped from his bed to literally run to the back of the cell, laughing the whole way.
Next to me, brother Elieff, who apparently was not privy to the thick and evil stench, caught wind (pun intended) of something going on. I looked over to him and said:
“Do NOT take one step toward me! You have no idea of the deep, thick cloud of persecution I am that is smiting me right at this very instant, brother Elieff!”
There was a small pause, then I continued, with a big smile coming on my face, and with everyone staring at me from both cells:
“But I am NOT moving! Not one inch from this spot! I am here to preach no matter what, no matter what the cost!”
I could not help but laugh at that point. Everyone in both cells, and brother Eleiff, started laughing as well.
Then brother Elieff said:
“Wow, so you are really persevering to the end, are yah?”
“Even if this cloud kills me,” I responded, “I will keep preaching to the last painful breath!”
At this point, everyone one was splitting wide open (another pun) laughing.
We all carried on laughing and joking about the incident for a minute, but then we returned to discussing Jesus, and the deep stench eventually receded–praise GOD!
