From the HEART | Steps of F.A.I.T.H. 

 

 

What a Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him the last few months have been! An incredible ride for sure. The transition into full time ministry has been exciting as God continues to "establish/confirm the works of our hands." Ps.90:17 He is indeed faithful and will continue to "lead us in paths of righteousness for His Name sake." Ps.23:3

The initial response to our announcing this transition and presenting C.H.A.R.M. has been outstanding and overwhelming. We would like to personally thank each and every one of you that have committed to pray, volunteer (go) and/or give to tHis ministry. Without your love and support, what has been accomplished over the last several months-the furtherance of His Kingdom Come by bringing the Good News Behind the Walls- would still be in our hearts, but because of you it has come to pass.

God has been so faithful in the opening of so many doors that for years were closed and unable to be reached and evangelized because of logistics and/or people that were not open to change. In recent months God has softened many of the hearts, moved people/obstacles out of the way and/or provided new avenues to travel. It has been incredible to watch the hand of God move on our behalf. But we would ask that you continue to lift this up in prayer because there are still a lot of doors that the enemy is laying claim to and we are believing God for His opening of those doors as well.

We, united, get to be Jesus' hands and feet as we share His love and The Good News with men and women who desperately need it. It also presents an awesome opportunity for volunteers to get involved and touch the lives of our brothers and sisters behind bars. In Matthew 25:35-40 Jesus is addressing His sheep and He says "For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed Me, I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, Lord when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You a drink? And when did we see You a stranger and welcome You, or naked and clothe You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and visit You? And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to me."

If you are interested in serving in this capacity please contact us to let us know of your desire. We are scheduling a volunteer prison training on the 22nd of May at the Faith Center, 8009 Longpoint Houston, TX 77055, and we need to get a head count of those that plan on attending. This is an excellent training to have because it allows you the freedom to go into any prison in Texas as many times a year as you want.
 
.....Finally, please remember that the tangible fuel for tHis ministry is your giving. Please pray and consider if partnering with C.H.A.R.M on a monthly basis is an opportunity the Lord would have you invest /sow into.

We love you and are so honored to serve alongside "the likes of you" as we minister to, as Jesus said, "the least of these."

In His Love and service,

David & Kaye Trickett

 Our first spotlight volunteer for C.H.A.R.M.- is actually a double portion, as God would have it.  Becky Kiser and her husband Chris are expecting their first child in August  and we are soooooo excited! 

 Becky is a native Houstonian and currently pursuing her call to minister to women. Her heart's beat is for women to know, love and live for Christ in a deeper, more genuine way.  This past year she stepped out in faith (boy do we know this one) to pursue this calling and founded Unveiled Ministries.  Her background is in Public Relations and Church Ministry. 

The Day I Went to Prison by Becky Kiser

I remember the fear and insecurity I felt as I prepared to walk through the prison doors this past Sunday. I wasn't sure how I would feel being there, I wasn't sure I would be accepted, I wasn't sure if I was safe, I wasn't sure of much. Except I was sure that the Lord had called me to go that Sunday night and love on ladies that were hurting and encourage and challenge them in the Word of God. So I was there.

It was a beautiful night, you could see the stars in the sky as we walked through the prison courtyard and made our way to the Chapel. It wasn't what we are used to. The room was stuffy, it seemed like a small warehouse room but when we walked in there was a sense of anticipation of what would happen in the next few hours.

The offenders, as they are referred to by the guards, walked in single file and sat every other chair. The song "Blessed be the Name of the Lord" was playing loud on the speakers. Myself, Kaye Trickett, Lori Latham and Sandy Bell lined up to greet the girls as they came in. Kaye had told me that there is such a difference from the greeting to the farewell. You could see fear and insecurity in their eyes. I had prayed that the Lord would show me how to relate to them and connect with them. There in that moment I realized not much separated me from them. As the song continued over the speakers many of the ladies started clapping and singing. You could tell this is what they were longing for-- a drink of fresh and living water.

As Kaye opened up the night you could see the ladies relax and connect. Kaye shared that just 12 years ago she was where they were. You could see hope rise-- the Lord could do something great with their lives too. Sandy started us off praying the most God honoring prayer. Then Lori lead the ladies in worship. If they weren't required to sit in their seats, I know they would've leapt around the room in praise to the Lord. It was the most beautiful expression of worship I have ever seen (ok, maybe it ties with the sweet orphans in Zambia).

As I walked up to the podium an incredible feeling overtook my body-- one of intense love for these women whose faces I was able to stare into for the first time. I remember thinking I could burst into tears I felt it so deep. The Lord lead us through a beautiful lesson of "Created for More." We started off in Isaiah 43 and continued to discuss what it means when the Lord said, "I created you for My glory." As we talked I could see that the ladies spirits were churning that the Lord was working in them. Eye contact wasn't just out of respect, it was piercing. Tears were streaming down many faces, heads were nodding and cheers and claps were given often. The Lord was moving in the hearts of His beloveds.

Kaye had asked me to do an altar call of sorts at the end and I was hesitant. I have never liked it when preachers do that, I had always felt like if someone wanted to surrender to the Lord, He would lead them to it when it was time for them.

But at the end of it, without ever intending to we had the most incredible time of prayer. Every head was bowed. At first I asked any lady who was ready to surrender their life to the Lord for the first time to simply look at me. I encouraged them to bow to the One that was worthy and pray whatever was in their heart-- confess, acknowledge and praise Him. After some time I encouraged them to continue this and seek Him out for what's next. Then I asked all the ladies that weren't ready but wanted something more to simply pray, "Lord make me willing to be willing to give you my life." You could see the hardness and the brokenness in them. I hurt for them, but knew that He will come through in their life. And finally I asked all the ladies that were in the room that were believers but were struggling to look at me. I was almost knocked to the floor as at least 25 faces turned up to me. One of the greatest honors I've ever had in my life was being able to look in their eyes and pray endurance over them.

The night ended too quickly. As the ladies filed out we said goodbye to them at the door. Each one paused and said something to us, you could see that in a short hour and a half lives were changed... and mine was one of them.

Sometimes we think that we need to go around the world to really make a difference. I love that David and Kaye Trickett have started C.H.A.R.M. Prison Ministry and that it allows us to be a part of setting the captives free!

Becky Kiser

beckyjkiser@gmail.com 

www.thekisers.blogspot.com

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