“Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me’. There is need of coming close to the people by personal effort. If less time were given to sermonizing, and more time were spent in personal ministry, greater results would be seen. The poor are to be relieved, the sick cared for, the sorrowing and the bereaved comforted, the ignorant instructed… Accompanied by the power of persuasion, the power of prayer, the power of the love of God, this work will not, cannot, be without fruit… Many have no faith in God and have lost confidence in man. But they appreciate acts of sympathy and helpfulness. As they see one with no inducement of earthly praise or compensation come into their homes, ministering to the sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, comforting the sad, and tenderly pointing all to Him of whose love and pity the human worker is but the messenger—as they see this, their hearts are touched. Gratitude springs up. Faith is kindled. They see that God cares for them, and they are prepared to listen as His word is opened.” - MH pg. 143, 145
These quotes from Spirit of Prophecy are being put into practice in this way:
There are two things that I truly love, my home country of El Salvador, in Central America, and Prison Ministry. God has given me the opportunity to combine those two things, and He has put in my heart the burden to work for the inmates in El Salvador.
But there is a peculiarity about the women inmates there: The law permits them, if they are pregnant, to deliver their babies in prison and keep them from 0 to 5 years. This is not a regular prison, is more of a home, but it’s still prison. When I was told, a few months ago about this situation, my heart broke and I wanted to do something. And I started knocking on doors and inquiring about the needs, which are many, since this is a very marginalized population, and who is going to care about these criminals and their offsprings? Well, Jesus does care!
“I was in prison and you came to Me…inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25: 36, 40).
Since June of 2023 when I was visiting El Salvador, I was able to start this project, which for now, I’m calling, “The Hands of Jesus.”
I have been able to collect close to $3000, through the generosity of close friends and family, and buy and distribute: pampers, wet wipes, diaper cream, sanitary pads for the moms, toilet paper, rice, beans, flour to make tortillas, milk, baby formula, laundry soap, bleach, brooms, and trash bags. We are now collecting to get 700 Bibles for the women population - they are asking for Bibles! We were able to get a donation of 100 Bibles, but we are still short. These Bibles have an SDA Bible study, which is a blessing!
Among these women, there are about 250 moms with their babies from 0-5 years old, about 100 pregnant women, and about 400 women that are in the “trust” category.
There are three lay people that are cooperating on a voluntary basis using their own time and resources (gas and vehicle) to make purchases and take them to the facility—which is about two hours away from the city. Every time they go and visit—roughly every other week, they bring the word of God, preach to the moms, work with the kids, singing and telling them Bibles stories.
There is so much to do, so many basic needs that need to be met.
And this is only one area of the work that can be done with the prisons there. When I was visiting, I had the opportunity to go to the transfer station, women and men, where the main need is food. These inmates only get daily food that is paid by their families, and some don’t have anyone to pay for them. So, in concrete cells that hold about 14 inmates, sometimes there are only two plates of food. $9 per day is enough to feed one inmate 3 times per day.
The Lord has put this burden in my heart and I started this project knowing that God can use the generosity of many people. Two local churches are already working with us, and the word is spreading.
We can be the hands and feet of Jesus, and bring hope to these people, supply for some of their needs and then, when they see that someone cares, as the Spirit of Prophecy says, they will be open to hear the word of God.
I’m trying to get a more formal way of donating, through a local SDA that is considering working with me and be the receiver of the funds. Right now, people are sending funds to me and I transfer them to a trustworthy brother that buys supplies, and delivers to the prison.
If you are interested, please contact me at ninagiron06@gmail.com.
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Nina Girón