Christmas Break

Aloha Everyone.

It's been a while since I've updated you all via Blogspot. Right now part of our team is on Christmas break since December 1st and the other part of our team is ministering at a prison in LA. I am very thankful that I was able to come home to Hawaii for my Christmas break. It has almost been a year since I last seen my family (except for my older sister I haven't seen her since January 2009). I've been able to get some rest and exercise in since I've been home. When I got home my sister had been in the hospital for 6 days. She is now at home and on her way to getting better.

I mentioned that a part of our team is still ministering. Here's a little info from our team director of what they are doing.

To give you a quick update on an adventure that we are about to embark on. We have been invited to the Louisiana State Prison (aka Angola or “The Farm”) to facilitate a four day conference. We have been invited by Awana Lifeline which God has used to make a significant impact in the lives of many of the inmates. Angola is the largest maximum security prison in the United States and houses just over 5,000 inmates. 4,000 of the inmates are serving a life sentence and those that remain average a sentence of 90+ years. What used to be the considered the most violent and dangerous prison in America is now considered one of the safest! Only one reason, God at Work! Awana Lifeline has started a program called “Malachi Dads” which is having the largest impact of any program that the prison has ever experienced, and they have asked us to come alongside and help continue on with what the Malachi Dads program has begun.

Then link below is for a video highlighting what is happening with the Malachi Dads program at Angola. The interesting thing is that it was produced by USA Today. I would encourage you to take a look at the video to get a glimpse of what has been happening that we have been given opportunity to be part of.

Video: Fathers for Life http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJNOu83tgts

Although I am not with the part of the team that went to minister at the prison I am still continuing with their ministry through prayer. God loves them just as much as He loves me. God is a God of love and forgiveness and the giver of hope.

Shawntay