Lithuania - Day 2 -

Day two of our basketball camp in Lithuania was a little down in numbers, but it was Saturday and there were several conflicting things that we had to deal with.  The kids that were there enjoyed the camp and we got to give them the next portion of the Gospel, moving them toward a decision on Monday.  The excitement today came when the camp was over.  We quickly ate a couple of Hessburgers that our hosts brought to us at the gym and we loaded into the vans and headed to the Juvenile Prison on the other side of town.  This facility is a medium security style facility housing about 300 prisoners from 13 -18 years of age.  Their crimes range from car theft to murder and so we were aware that this was a little different than anything we had done up to this point. 
We arrived and they had us put our valuables, cell phones, and wallets in a locker, they took our passports and they let us through the gate, three at a time.  When we were all inside, it was a little ominous to hear that heavy door close behond us.  Hmmmm, I don't think I told anyone where I would be.  What if they won't let me out?
When we were in and had our balls and snacks ready, they let the first 49 kids into the gym.  Later we would have another group of almost 60.  They lined up against the wall and we introduced ourselves and played a couple of Minute2Winit games with them.

We then divided them into four groups and started our drills and teaching stations.  Three groups worked with the coaches on basketball skills while the other group came upstairs in the un-airconditioned gym so that Joel and I, with the help of our translator, Yurij, could share the Gospel with them.  We had just 12 minutes to tell them that there is a God who loves them and has a plan for their life, but unfortunately, our sin has created a barrier between us and God.  They were somewhat flippant about things until I said, "You are in this place because you have done wrong.  The wall outside is a barrier between you and the outside, just as sin is a barrier between you and God.  But because you are in here, you can understand what I am talking about much better than many who are on the outside.  They dare to say, 'I'm a pretty good person.'  But the Bible says that there are none righteous.  We are all sinners and there is a price for that sin."  When I got to this part of the story, each and every group quieted down and became very somber.  They listened attentively from that point on as I told them that Jesus had come as their substitute to take their punishment for them and if they would simply believe that He is who the Bible says that He is and believe in their hearts that God raised him from the grave like the Bible says He did, then they could pray and ask Him to forgive their sins, come into their heart, and be their Savior.

When we prayed with them, they were absolutely silent, and when we asked them to keep their heads bowed and to raise their hands if they had prayed and asked Jesus to save them, 51 of the over 100 inmates that we witnessed to raised their hand. 

As the last group of 9 was entering our area and taking their seats, the chaplain's wife took me aside and said, "In this group is their leader.  We must pray that God reaches him."  I asked her not to tell me which one he was until after we gave them the Gospel.  When we had finished sharing the Good News with them 5 of the 9 raised their hands that they had received Christ.  As we dismissed them to join the others, the chaplain's wife was bouncing off the walls with joy, muttering in Lithuanian and English, "Praise God! Praise God! Oh, Thank You, Lord!!!"  The young man recognized by all of the inmates as their leader had been the first in the group to raise his hand.  The others had their eyes closed so he did not influence them, but it was such an answer to prayer to see this young man come to Christ.  Later, as we prepared to leave, he presented Joel with a gift that the boys had made.  It was an amazing "God moment."



Our team with a few of the boys and the chaplain and his wife.

 We left the Prison knowing that almost half of the young men we dealt with today were set free from chains that bind them stronger than any prison cell ever could.

When we got back to the hotel, the Hill family and I decided to walk down to the Old Town area of Kaunas and get some supper.  We had some great pizza and then continued down the pedestrian mall among shops and restaurants.

It had a beautiful, European feel.  After spending the afternoon in the sweltering upstairs room engaged in spiritual warfare for the souls of those young men, it was refreshing to walk out in the open air and feel the freedom that God has given us.

Before we made it back to the hotel, it began to rain.  It was a slow, warm summer rain.  I found it to be rather romantic.  Unfortunately, the one that I would have liked to be walking with was 7,000 miles away.

Our trip is almost over.  It is hard to believe that we will only be here in Kaunas two more days.  I will be preaching tomorrow at the Evangelical Christian Baptist Church, then we will hurry to the gym for our camp.  On Monday, we will load everything up and check out of the hotel before the camp and then head out for Riga as soon as we are finished.  We will spend the night there and then board our plane on Tuesday morning for the journey home. Joel Hill and his son, Jordan, along with our media mogul, Justin, will make their way to Austria and Poland for two American Football camps in the next week or so.
Please pray earnestly for several things. First, for the young men that received Christ today.  They have a difficult road ahead of them.  Pray that the chaplain will minister to them effectively and they will grow in their walk with the Lord.  Second, pray for our campers, especially on Monday morning from 9 to Noon Lithuania time.  That is 1 to 4 AM in the states so I'm sure that God would answer your prayers if you prayed early. :0)  Pray that they will understand the Gospel and call on the Lord as well.  We hope to see one more great harvest of souls before we go home. Third, pray for us as we travel home and for the teams that will be going to Austria and Poland.  God is moving in a wonderful way.  Please keep praying.