God in prison

Have you ever heard people say "Everything happens for a reason?"

Do you know the Bible story about  Zacchaeus?  I learned the song when I was little- how Jesus looked up and saw him in a tree?  Jesus was actively looking for Zacchaeus.  He knew his need, and it was no mistake that Jesus found him in that tree.  His life was changed by his encounter with Jesus.

I believe that God is actively involved in our circumstances. He uses people and circumstances to bring us to Him.

This is a story that comes from Ray.  Ray is the electrician on the ship, and on Saturday mornings, he takes people with him to visit people in the local prison.

Serenety is a Chinese woman who works retail in the ship shop.  We have more than 30 nationalities on the ship, but we rarely have crew from China.  She speaks Mandarin.

No pictures from prison!
This is Serenety at the deaf school

Serenety went with Ray's group to the prison, where she met a man from China.  He speaks no French, but he does speak Mandarin.  Can you imagine what it would be like for a Chinese man in prison in Congo?

Serenety went back with Ray's group, and gave this man a  Chinese Bible. She eventually contacted his family in China. Friends of Serenety helped her explain God's forgiveness. This man met Jesus, and his life is changed.  

God uses ordinary people to do some pretty amazing things, doesn't he?

Debbie