Prison Life!

We have adjusted to 'Prison Life' without out too many hassles! Glenys finds enjoyment in telling people that Dennis is in jail when they inquire where he is.

Saying good bye is now a regular occurrence, as well as saying, 'Welcome home'.
Dennis often feels guilty leaving us at home and Glenys holding the fort while he is working in Tamworth. This is his calling, so we all work according to what he does.

His work has been quite varied in the people he deals with and the types of problems he encounters.

Some people have been incarcerated because of a silly mistake, and others have been in and out numerous times.

There was one week  Dennis came home emotionally drained. It was a week of heartbreak for some of the inmates. He said there were a few just crying on his shoulder, so heart broken at the way their lives have turned out.

That week, he needed family time and 'normality' just to recenter his emotions and refresh his batteries.

When these times happen, he understands the importance of family support, pastoral support, and prayer support. Working there 5 days a week would be very taxing emotionally and spiritually.

While Dennis does a few chapel services each week, he finds that often men will call him over to the fence during exercise time and men will talk to him through the wire about issues in their lives.

Inmates are able to ask for a 'one on one' visit with Dennis. He finds these men are really serious about how to sort out the issues they are facing.

Another thing he has found really useful is sharing videos of Christian testimonies. He chooses these testimonies on a variety of topics.  They share how God has transformed their lives from despair to victory.

The men relate to this and opens up a lot of opportunities to talk.

We cannot share stories of how God is working in individual lives, as this is not allowed in his job. Dennis can only share general issues with any one as he is in a job that requires confidentiality.

What he can tell us is that these men need God so much. Some are really seeking. Some have come to know the Lord. Some use the chapel time just for a free cup of coffee and biscuit.

Please pray for these people. Some of the staff at the jail also come and share with Dennis. It is such a privilege to have a small part in the seed planting process of God's kingdom.

Dennis meets with a pastor on a regular basis to share and unload about his work. This is a requirement of the job.