Two very well known figures from the crime-world of 20-30 years ago have found themselves once again in the Forest Prison. Old question marks remained on their files, and they were “by chance” returned for questioning. But God turned these return visits to the Forest Prison for these two former gangsters into glory as each, now in their sixties, took time to reflect on life’s true meaning after the visit of the Protestant/Evangelical chaplain.
Leon had spent 10 ½ years in prison and was well know in the grand-theft crime world. He recounted to me that he had it all: money, luxury cars, vacation resorts, women, villas, but an ever-present emptiness in his soul. He did his work in crime as his job. Professionally speaking, he did his job well; but it wasn’t until he was in his sixties that he slowed down enough to fall in love with a fine woman. This changed his whole way of thinking: this love was what he had been hoping for all his life, but he had never taken enough time to experience the benefits of closeness to another human. I keyed in on this thought and mentioned to him that human love is a very wonderful experience, but that it is only temporal. I mentioned to him, “Human love is satisfying for a period of life here on earth, but experiencing the love of God is eternal. You can have an experience of the love of God that surpasses that of human love, and God’s love will last for eternity.” I then asked him if he wanted that kind of experience. He said that he had read the Christian materials that I had left with him the week before, but that he thought it was “too good to be true”. “I really don’t have faith to receive all of that.” I then explained to him how through believing the Good News of Jesus Christ, His death, burial and resurrection, that faith would arise in his heart by simple belief that God’s Word is true. He said, “I do believe that.” I said then that he could turn his belief into faith through acting on his belief by praying to receive Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. After praying the sinner’s prayer of repentance together, Leon rejoiced in knowing that his sins were forgiven and that he had made his first steps in coming to know the greatest love of all, the love of God for a sinner willing to confess and repent of his sins.
Léopold, another Belgian man, simply took another copy of the same Christian materials that Leon had, read them, filled out the Bible studies, prayed the sinners prayer of repentance, filled his name in on the decision card and reported to me when I came into his cell, “Now I know the truth, and I am converted.” I prayed personally with him also, and he now has a radiant smile on his face. He has already begun another Bible course and knows that what he has is of much more value than all the booty of his former life in burglary and drugs.
Ken Barickman
Leon had spent 10 ½ years in prison and was well know in the grand-theft crime world. He recounted to me that he had it all: money, luxury cars, vacation resorts, women, villas, but an ever-present emptiness in his soul. He did his work in crime as his job. Professionally speaking, he did his job well; but it wasn’t until he was in his sixties that he slowed down enough to fall in love with a fine woman. This changed his whole way of thinking: this love was what he had been hoping for all his life, but he had never taken enough time to experience the benefits of closeness to another human. I keyed in on this thought and mentioned to him that human love is a very wonderful experience, but that it is only temporal. I mentioned to him, “Human love is satisfying for a period of life here on earth, but experiencing the love of God is eternal. You can have an experience of the love of God that surpasses that of human love, and God’s love will last for eternity.” I then asked him if he wanted that kind of experience. He said that he had read the Christian materials that I had left with him the week before, but that he thought it was “too good to be true”. “I really don’t have faith to receive all of that.” I then explained to him how through believing the Good News of Jesus Christ, His death, burial and resurrection, that faith would arise in his heart by simple belief that God’s Word is true. He said, “I do believe that.” I said then that he could turn his belief into faith through acting on his belief by praying to receive Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. After praying the sinner’s prayer of repentance together, Leon rejoiced in knowing that his sins were forgiven and that he had made his first steps in coming to know the greatest love of all, the love of God for a sinner willing to confess and repent of his sins.
Léopold, another Belgian man, simply took another copy of the same Christian materials that Leon had, read them, filled out the Bible studies, prayed the sinners prayer of repentance, filled his name in on the decision card and reported to me when I came into his cell, “Now I know the truth, and I am converted.” I prayed personally with him also, and he now has a radiant smile on his face. He has already begun another Bible course and knows that what he has is of much more value than all the booty of his former life in burglary and drugs.
Ken Barickman
It is encouraging to read your blog it reminds me "that all things wrork together for the glory of God" Sometimes when your in the middle of a struggle its hard to remember that.
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