Lyn’s journey to chaplaincy
As a teenager, I found attending church to be about as exciting as watching paint dry. It wasn’t until I was well into my adult life many things became apparent. And the words I had heard for years took on a new and real meaning. It was then I realised my life had a purpose other than the distractions of my needs. I realised image isn’t everything and there’s no clearer reflection of Christ than one person serving another.
I felt I needed to help and share how God can be reflected in what we do every day.
I had enjoyed a relatively comfortable life. I had been blessed with a loving family, good friends and meaningful opportunities at work. As I look back, I can see God had always been there guiding me. In contrast, there are many women who have only known a hard life, and as a result of their circumstances, some are now in prison. I wanted to share with them that there is hope and despite what they might have done, God loves them and will forgive them.
So when my family had grown, I decided to take another step in serving and enquired if I could visit the women in our local prison. They told me that visiting wasn’t permitted. I thought that was the end of it. When Jesse contacted me some time later, I realised God was still continuing to guide me, as He always had. But I had to learn to do it His way, in His time, and that included going through the right channels.
I am still a new Prison Chaplain with much to learn. I know I will need God’s help every time I pass through the prison gates, as I endeavour to make changes in His name. I will need prayers for confidence in my presentation, for awareness as to when to speak and when to listen, and for the right words to say. In fact, I will be grateful for prayers for every facet of my prison chaplaincy.