Dawson State Jail
You Can Tell It!
December 2007

Hurray!  Thanks to your prayers, and God's gracious answers, all our obstacles were overcome at the Dawson State Jail today. The first session of EvanTell's You Can Tell It! was taught to two classes of Christian women.  We have not counted all of our names, but believe there were 82 ladies total who participated.  You know the devil just loves to make life interesting...but he did not win today.   

First, Chris Gray could not find her driver's license, but she was allowed into the jail using her passport!  All the other administrative details went without a hitch. We arrived a little late because of traffic, so we were a bit concerned that we would be interrupted by the arrival of their lunch.  If we had been interrupted, we would have lost momentum in teaching the Bad News Good News method and people would not have had the practice time they needed. 

But lunch was late!  Just as Chris finished her remarks at the end of our session in the faith-based pod (50 ladies) on the 10th floor they announced that the trays had arrived.  Great timing - 30 minutes later than usual.  

As we ate our lunch (brought from home) in the staff break room, we got acquainted with two ladies on the staff before going to our classroom for the afternoon session with 32 ladies.  We were given a very small room and the gals were squished like sardines in that room.  It was going to be tough to teach, and more folks were arriving.  The gals were game -- they just kept coming in!  

Suddenly, one of the ladies we met at lunch walked up and said, "I only have 10 ladies in my testing group today.  You take that big room and we'll take the little one.  Anything for the Lord!"  So, our gals cheered, and off we went to a room that would hold 50 people!   

In both classes, every woman was attentive, worked well with each other and with us. All were so grateful for the free materials provided by EvanTell.   

By the time the class was over, each one was able to quote the Bad News/Good News points, scriptures, and illustrations from memory.  They know the Gospel in 10 words!  They know what "saving faith" means and can tell it to someone else.  They are excited about sharing the Good News with others and are really, really looking forward to the next class.  They want to learn to write the evangelism letter to family members and friends.   

We go back to Dawson to complete the YCTI training on December 4, 11, and 18.  Please continue to pray for all of us -- administration, chaplain, teachers Chris Gray and MM Gibson, our sponsors EvanTell, Seed Sowers Ministry, and Prison Fellowship, and for our 82 students.   

Thanks to all of you who partner with each other, with us, and with the Holy Spirit to build this stout-hearted group of Christian women into a force for God in Dawson State Jail.  As they are released and move back into the "free world" they will take their enthusiasm and knowledge wherever they go.   

Your friends in Christ -- Chris Gray and Mary Margaret Gibson      

"...the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."  1 John 4:4b