The Glory Belongs to God
He Writes My Story
My name is Shirley. I thank God for saving my life, and I also thank Prison Fellowship Antioquia (ACCA). While I was in a physical prison and in extreme spiritual bondage, God sent a sister to do his work in Pedregal prison in Medellín, Colombia. I was in patio (cellblock) number 3 when Girlesa (Prison Fellowship evangelist) entered our unit. Girlesa did something I had never seen before. She always came into our unit to join the prayer group with the other women in patio 3, and that group had made me feel uncomfortable on many occasions.
On this particular day, Girlesa asked all of us to do her a favor and listen for a moment. We all turned off the TV to give her our attention, and she started to share about God and the parable of the sower. I will never forget this because that day changed my life. I felt like crying because she said so many things that touched my heart. As she was about to leave, I felt embarrassed, but I went up to her and told her that I wanted to know the God that she was talking about. Immediately, she made me feel taken care of and she introduced me to the Christian leader in that patio, who was also incarcerated—my beautiful sister in Christ who became one of my mentors.
Since that moment, with my life in the hands of the Potter, God began to work within me, and I was baptized right away. I was released from prison and had been out for a little while when my former cellmate told me Prison Fellowship had a program outside of prison. I was so happy when I heard that various other women I had met in prison were also gathering there, and that Girlesa was there as well. Right away, I decided to go, and I found a second home in the Amanecer program.
I go to Amanecer every Tuesday. They have supported me spiritually, economically, and materially. I thank God repeatedly for bringing me to Prison Fellowship. God placed a desire to serve in my heart. I long to enter the prisons and bring the message of God, because I came to understand that God does not forget those behind bars. Just like God sent Girlesa to me one day, I want to be sent out to win thirsty and needy souls. God is forming me as a disciple, and I am currently serving as a leader in the Amanecer discipleship group. It's amazing to hear people call me "Profe" (teacher!).
The glory belongs to God. I honor Girlesa because she has been a powerful instrument whom God has used in my life. I am so thankful for Prison Fellowship Antioquia for their wonderful work, and I tell the Lord, “Here I am, send me, too!” I ask God to bless ACCA spiritually and economically and that he would provide more workers for the work that Prison Fellowship is doing.