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| Tuesday I stood in line at the men's prison to be searched and checked in and I shook in fear. I was not able to post what happened last week when I went to the men's prison to visit Elmer but basically there is a reason why they tell you not to leave your bags unattended in an airport or in this case outside a prison. Well, you can pretty much guess what happened to me and it is only because of the grace of God that I am able to write you about this today. Anyways I checked my bags at least 10 times before going in, making sure the only things there were the stuff I had packed. I went to see Mynor a young man from my neighborhood that was imprisoned for robbery. I took him a food basket and was able to also give him a book to read. I gave him one of the books my Aunt had given me. When he was in the ghetto he was addicted to cocaine and since he is been in prison he has been clean and now his mind is clear to read. I was also able to read him the first chapter of The Ragamuffin Gospel. These are items we divided into food baskets for Mynor and the 7 girls in prison. 
That afternoon I went to the women's prison. Much calmer compared to the men's prison. I was able to take 7 of the women food baskets, diapers and wipes. They were all so thankful :) It was so amazing because we read the Ragamuffin Gospel together and had a great discussion about the grace of God and the story of Mary and Martha. Jesus has come to visit us and many times we are too busy with our own lives to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear Him. 
The boxes outside the prison ready to be carried in 
Lesly is the young lady I have been visiting with the most. She has been condemned to 25 years in prison for a crime she did not commit. Before being imprisoned she was one of the singers in the praise band at her church. She has such a sweet spirit, but she is hurting deeply. She has left her walk with the Lord out of Anger for being sent to prison for something she did not do. I don't know if it was a word from God or not but I really felt I needed to share something with her. I reminded her of the story of Jonah. God wanted him to go to Ninevah as missionary, but he did not want to go so you know what happened God sent a fish. I told Lesly God wanted you to be a missionary in the prison and you did not want to go so he sent the police and here you are just like Jonah in Ninevah. Search for you purpose here. God has not forgotten you. Please remember Lesly in your prayers. She is 19 years old and was sent to jail just after turning 18. I will be going to the prison not this saturday but the next to see her again. | | |
| For most of the teens finding out they were getting to go to camp was like winning the lottery! I was able to catch a couple of their reactions on camera. Below are pictures of all them with their camp information and reciept of payment. Their reciept will be their ticket the day they leave for camp. I know some of you are still getting your sponsorship check in the mail but the church went ahead and held a spot for the teens who have not paid yet and once I get the money I will pay their pay trip. So, please remember to get those sent. Also, please remember Duarlin in your prayers as he was shot the other day in the stomach. Jesus is going to do BIG things in these teens' lives and the devil is not happy. Sunday I signed up the teens for youth camp. Gaby 
Douglas  Axel 
Blanca 
Francisco 
Wilson 
Pee Wee 
Walter 
Nataly 
Brayan 
Oscar 
Chicken 
Ruth 
Teresa 
Gabriela 
Jeymmy 
Derwin 
Duarlin 
Jenny 
Marvin 
"Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." I Corinthians 15:51-52 NRSV | | |
| We Now have all the teens sponsored. A total of 19 teens will be going to Youth Camp!!!  As many of you know we have had a bunch of youth from the Limonada accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! This December the Church Elim Central (a large church outside the ghetto) will be having a 4 day youth retreat outside the city. I think it would be a great way to have these teens faith strengthened being around other believers and firm youth leaders. The cost is $40 per teen and as many of you know that for a teen from the LImonada this is a lot of money. The price includes food, transportation, lodging and all activities at the retreat. When the teens heard about this at church they were all excited, but when they heard the price none of them could afford it. I have 9 teens that REALLY want to go. I encourage you to pray to consider sponsoring one of the following teens to go to youth camp. Duarlin 18 sponsored :) 
Brayan 15 Sponsored :) 
Ruth 15 sponsored :) 
Francisco 16 Sponsored :) 
Walter 18 sponsored :)  Oscar 17 Sponsored :) 
Gabriela 15 sponsored 
Douglas 17 Sponsored :) 
Derwin 16 sponsored :) 
Jeymmy 18 sponsored :) 
Gabby 14 Sponsored :) 
Pee Wee 22 sponsored :) 
Teresa 17 Sponsored :) 
Wilson 21 sponsored :) 
Blanca sponsored :) 
Axel sponsored :) 
Nataly sponsored :) 
If you would like to sponsor one of the above youth please send me an e-mail at ashley.c.lopez@gmail.com and let me know who you would like to sponsor so I can take them off the list. Send your check to: Keri Williams 9210 Hunters Bend Ooltewah TN 37363 Make your tax deductible check out to "Eastwood Church" and the for column "Ashley's Mission Fund" Please put a note with the check letting my mom know the money is to help pay for youth camp. 
Thank you so much!!! This will be a once in lifetime thing for these youth :) | | |
| Today I went to a visit a young girl in prison who has been asking me to visit for a while. All women who go must wear a skirt so you know for me that was fun :) We had to go through many passes in order to get all the way in where the women were. About a mile from the prison we were stopped and were patted down to make sure we weren't bringing anything in. Then, once at the prison we had to check in by getting a number and a black light stamp on our arms. Then at the designated time we turned in our IDs and went into the first gates getting another stamp on our arms where we were searched again behind a curtin (very humbling to say the least). Next, we went down a long walk way to another gate get where we were patted down again and given another stamp on the arm and then permitted to enter in the main area where the women were. 
Stamps already fading Once we were in we went to visit Lesly and her 18 month old daughter. Lesly was accused of a crime she did not commit and will have to serve 25 years in prison. She is just barely 20 years old. What I experienced today I don't think I put into words that you could properly understand. I first met with 6 of the women in her sector. They immediately began talking to me about God. I asked how many were saved but only one, Lesly was a Christian. I asked them why they had not accepted yet and they told me it was because they wanted to be ready when they accepted and they did not want to accept to just fall away soon after. They wanted me to pray for all them and they wanted me to tell them things about God. These women or girls were all hungry for the word of God. After talking to the group I went to talk to Lesly alone. Her baby is absolutely gorgeous but Leslie was very depressed and did not want to be there anymore. I asked her if she understood why she was there or what purpose God had for her there. She thought maybe it was punishment because she moved in with her boyfriend before marriage. But I asked her beyond punishment why she thought God would allow her to be accused of something she did not do. And she didn't know... I told her that I believed God wants to use her in the lives of these women who are wanting to know more about God. I told her to continue seeking after the Lord and His will for her life. She was so thankful I had come to visit her because it so rare when someone comes to visit her. I told her I would take notes at the church she went to while living in the ghetto and bring them to her. What I saw today really broke my heart. I really hope if I am ever falsely accused that my friends will come and visit me in prison... I am planning on going back next week and taking Bibles, food and hygiene products to the women. 
With the tank outside 
My friend from church Milton 
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