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Brethren, I am very happy to be free today and share my testimony that I Think will glorify the GOD I worship. The Bible says in Jeremiah 20:9 "But your message burns in my heart and bones, and I cannot keep silent." It is a message of hope, love, encouragement, persistence, edification, and victory. The tribulations that took me to two different counties in Maryland started on Tuesday, October 24, 2000. I had been in Carroll County Detention Center for two months and three months in Wicomico County Detention Center. In September 2000, I retained the services of an immigration lawyer to adjust my status. This lawyer constantly assured my wife and me that my status will be adjusted without incident. The same lawyer told me that I needed to report to The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) just to talk about my case. When I reported to the INS I was taken into custody. I later found out that my lawyer made arrangements with detention and deportation without my knowledge to deliver met o them like a package. I also discovered that my lawyer had not filed the proper documents on my behalf. After I was detained, the lawyer phoned my wife and admitted that he didn't know what to do and that he had never been in this situation before. He offered to represent me for free if we could find out what he needed to do. How can I find out what to do when I am not a lawyer? I was too puzzled to realize that it could happen to me. I have never thought in a million years that I would be handcuffed and shackled one day like a hardened criminal. The first month was critical because I had to adjust to the environment. I felt betrayed, misrepresented and misled by my lawyer. It was especially hard to accept the fact that someone told me when to wake up, to eat, and what to eat. I was forced to wear a striped uniform and to share a cell with somebody I didn’t know. I had to use the same razor for two weeks. My basic human rights were violated everyday by the Correctional Officers. My denial was so strong that I had to pinch myself to accept the reality. Indeed, I was incarcerated with those who have committed the most horrible crimes; rapists, murderers, drugs dealers, etc. There were arguments and fights over the TV, foods, almost about everything. I did not feel safe either when I was transferred to the INS unit because of the evil spirits of my unit mates. Many of the INS detainees had recently been released from federal prisons for similar crimes and were awaiting deportation to their country. It was a constant battle between them and me. I overcame my fear by praying and not behaving like them. I learned not to let myself be intimidated by anyone. I gained the respect of my counterparts quickly. I took advantage of every Bible study to strengthen my faith and be closer to GOD. I started a prayer group in my cell with two inmates. With our consistency in prayers, other Christians joined us. At one point we had ten detainees praising GOD daily in my cell. His assistance came as expected. I never felt like cursing my Lord and Savior; neither did I feel bitterness, hatred against my prosecutor, which I called INS. Every day gave me hope to live and to look for heavenly things. In Jeremiah 29: 12, 13, 14 the Bible says “ Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity.” On December 28, 2000, I was moved to another jail because my deportation wasn’t imminent. I stayed in prayer all the time either in-groups or solo. GOD made a way for me to be free on Thursday, April 12, 2001. What a beautiful gift of love from the Father. On the anniversary of the resurrection of His Son, He resurrected a wretch like me. My flesh was tired from being confined in a 2X4 cell, but I had good spirits. After reading Psalm 139 and the book of Job, I felt at ease and thanked GOD for choosing me to know His glory. I knew that He has a plan a purpose for my life. GOD took me far from my wife and my loved ones to refine me. I was a very proud man on the streets before my detention. I thought it was a harsh punishment for someone without a criminal record to be in prison, but with Jesus promises I did not worry anymore because I was sure that He would take care of me. In Matthew 6: 25, 26, the Bible tells us not to worry about our life. Not to worry about having something to eat, drink, or to wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? The birds in the sky don’t plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet our Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren't we worth more than birds? Again and again, we are compelled to admit that pain, hurt, suffering is a mystery. Over and over, we ask the question why did this happen? Only to be answered by a profound silence. What have I done to deserve this? Sooner or later, the normal person wonders why GOD allowed this or that to happen. If we decide that it happened because GOD did allow it, then we begin to wonder why. Many times we decide that GOD doesn't love us, and that He is not concerned about us. Questions in the normal process of living, and even rejections of GOD are not uncommon. We naturally begin to wonder if we can trust people, even our closest friends and loved ones. Let me tell you that there is nothing you can do to make GOD hate you as a person. GOD may hate our sins, but He loves every one of His children. The Bible says in the book of John 3:16 “For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. As we live for Christ and proclaim His sacrifice to a lost world, we will experience suffering. The road to Christ likeness will take us through the valley of suffering. It is explained by the "all things work together for good to those who love GOD." Romans 8:28. This includes testings and trials, chastenings and purifications, denials and suffering. James words Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials (James 1:2) offer vital key fortuning trials into triumphs. Although we don't choose to have trials, we can choose how we respond. GOD chooses what we go through and we choose how we go through it. I was overwhelmed with the reality before me. I took my wounds and hurts to our divine Creator for repair, renewal and healing. GOD’s loving care and support is with us in times of trials and triumph. We may forget about our spiritual support, but it is still there, like the ground under our feet. The moment we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, Christ through the Holy Spirit comes to live in our heart. In Colossians 1:27, the Scripture says: Christ in you, the hope of glory. You may not see Him with your natural eye and you may not feel Him with your emotions, but He is there nevertheless. GOD loves us and wants us to experience peace and life-abundant and eternal. You have to accept by faith! Faith goes beyond logic, rationalization, and understanding. Jesus insisted that we must become as little children before entering the kingdom of heaven. Suppose you were lost in the forest. Suddenly you hear a voice calling your name. The rescuer greets you, saying, “ Follow me, I know the only way out”. You protest, “How can you say there’s just one way?” There must be others. The rescuer replies, “ I know the area, and you must go my way or you never get out. “You are too narrow”, you reply. Go on. I’ll figure it out myself. It sounds foolish but that's the way some people respond when we mention that the only way to get to heaven is through faith in Christ. Jesus says in John 14:6” I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” We cannot expect a painless or trouble-free existence just because we are, GOD’s people. Satan views us as escaped prisoners, and goes to war against us to try to recapture us. He will tempt us with malicious intent, hoping to find a weakness. Satan seeks to enter into Christians as he entered into Judas (Luke 22:3). Satan always flees when we resist (James 4:7). Christ never sinned. But GOD treated Him as a sinner, so that Christ could make us acceptable to GOD. Do you want to know the GOD I love and I am serving? He has given me strength when I thought I had nothing left. And He has given these words when I thought couldn't speak to you because I know that I am not a speaker. GOD has blessed me with His humility, self-control, guidance, and equipped me with His anointing power to bear witness once back on the streets. In my very eyes, I saw the miracles and wonders of GOD. The Lord is still working the same miracles today in our life as He did in the Bible. Brethren, the GOD I am serving is a living GOD, and very merciful. His hands are not short to deliver us from any trouble. When we ask Him for bread, He won’t give a stone; neither will He give us a snake when we ask Him for fish. He is our cushion when we fall. And no matter how many times we fall and sin against Him, He will never forsake us. He is always there to pick us up and to forgive us. GOD makes ways when there is no way and opens closed doors. Nothing is impossible to GOD. Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is Forgotten and everything is new. In Matthew 5: 16, the Bible wants us to make our light shine, so that others will see the good that we do and will praise our Father in heaven. We must honor our Lord and do His business with excellence. The task we have is honorable and the one who saved us from the death will reward all our good deeds. If we look for heavenly things, earthly things will be added to our existence. We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation. The Bible says, “ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20. “That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that GOD raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9. During my incarceration I nurtured the desire to help those who are less fortunate than me by writing a book about my misfortune. I also decided to design a website where immigrants will meet with competent, experienced lawyers for information and solutions for their immigration situations. In the book I talk about my story and the story of my US citizen wife who has suffered emotionally and financially because of my imprisonment. I denounce the fact that rural counties jails profit from INS detainees. Last and not least I glorify my Creator for all His blessings, miracles, and wonders in my life. Nevertheless, I want to start a prison minister if Bethel World Outreach Church doesn't already have one. And one thing, I am aware of is that my GOD never left my side since my release; my friends phoned and came to visit me, gave me moral and financial support, prayed with and for me, etc. I would like everyone to pray for those who kept me in prayer days and nights unceasingly and came to visit me in jail. I want to leave you with this scripture that kept going me strong day after day. The Word of GOD is John 1: 15. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ. Amen (Corinthians 16:23). Click HERE to return to the edited story Click HERE to create a banner that links to this story! Your e-mail address will be kept private!
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