An Adventure With God

by Kathie Siudyla

Jesus said, “It’s Me, don’t be afraid”. Peter answered, “Lord if it is You, command
me to come to You on the water”….. Jesus said, “Come”.

Ever been on an adventure? Webster’s Dictionary defines an adventure as a “risky undertaking.” It could be said that Peter stepping outside the security of that boat was a risky undertaking. But it was also an “adventure with God”.

The furthest thing from my mind was going on an “adventure with God”. “Hot flash” season had begun. My teenage children were rebelling and the relationship between my husband and I was strained. There was a rather nightmarish “undertaking” going on at home, when I thought I heard God speaking to me.

It happened one evening while I was sitting in a prayer group, overwhelmed with feelings of failure, as a Christian, wife and mother. Our prayer group leader was sharing an experience she’d had at jail with the Correctional Ministry team. She’d spoken there at a men’s church service. After the service, as they were getting on an elevator to leave, an officer and a female inmate got on the elevator with them. The inmate asked my friend, Lois what she was doing at jail. Lois told her about the church service. The girl then asked, “When are you coming to us?” When I heard the words “When are you coming to us?” the strangest thing happened. It seemed as though the words were directed toward me! Could God be asking me when I was going to minister to the women in jail? Like I said, it was strange. My response was, “Me? God, my life is a mess…but,Lord, if it’s You…”

Within six months I was nominated and elected to the church’s Evangelism Board and chosen as Correctional Ministry Coordinator! I’d never been on any kind of board or the coordinator of anything! My “duties” were recruiting volunteers, scheduling their services, going to jail with them, leading services and sometimes giving a message! Monthly, I’d give a report at the Board meeting. This would indeed be a “risky undertaking”…an adventure with God.

At times, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. A few of our volunteers wondered too! One person in particular made the comment “You really don’t know what you’re doing, do you?” She was right. I didn’t….But over time, God taught me to do what I didn’t know how to do and He met every need! He raised up men and women willing to serve! Some committed to pray for our ministry team, others provided music and others could deliver the Gospel message…

At the time, however, the Correctional Team was only ministering to men. Hadn’t God said He wanted us to minister to women as well??  The prayer team prayed. The Jail Chaplain was called and we asked about women’s services. We learned that all the women’s services were covered by other churches, but he promised to contact us if any openings became available.  We trusted God for an opening, a women’s team was formed and soon the chaplain called. We were conducting both men’s and women’s services. He did great things and we saw many people put their trust in Jesus Christ.

The three years I served passed by so quickly! Looking back, I am still amazed at what God did and that He chose to use someone so unqualified to lead that ministry. Robert Schuller is quoted as saying, “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” From personal experience, I know it is true.

Shortly after completing that (CMC) commitment my family and I transferred to another church and God was about to expand our adventure. The Chaplain asked me to lead a weekly women’s Bible Study.  “Lord, if it is You.”  Nearly sixteen years have passed and the studies continue. The lessons are simple and Bible-based. What a privilege: to get into the Bible, teaching and learning God’s word with these women. I once read ”If you will stop filling your mind with trash, God will fill it with treasure.” Each time the Word is opened, our minds are renewed and our hearts are changed…filled with treasure.

Like most people, sometimes I feel discouraged and want to give up. But …God has never let me!  “Someone” inside compels me to keep going back…..At times, He lets me see the hope that lights the women’s  eyes when they “get it”… when they understand what it means to have a real relationship with Jesus Christ … Sometimes, a girl will say a simple thank you. Often, He opens my eyes to look beyond the hardened faces to see their wounded hearts.

The church my family and I transferred to also has a Correctional ministry.  When the Chaplain asked me to lead a Bible Study, he also mentioned that he would like to see this church expand their ministry at jail to include women.   “Lord, if it’s You” ……..

Contact was made with Correctional Ministry Pastor; he confirmed they occasionally conducted church services for men, but none for women.  When told what the chaplain had said, the Pastor invited me to join their ministry.  He wanted to train me to be his secretary.  I tried… The women in the office were very helpful, but besides doing their work, they were doing most of mine. I had no secretarial skills.

One day, the Pastor called me into his office and said, “Kathie, I’ve realized you’re not cut out to be a secretary, but there’s a problem. Since you’re a volunteer, I can’t fire you!” We laughed, but I was relieved! I hated being a secretary. The Pastor then encouraged me to concentrate on my strengths, using the gifts and talents God had placed in me. When he asked me to lead a Jail Ministry team, my former experience as a Coordinator helped greatly. And once again, God met every need and He gets the credit for His favor and guidance, for providing the prayer support and volunteers. God raises up those needed, He opens doors of opportunity, His Spirit empowers us to plant and water His Word…but He alone gives life to those ministered to and makes them grow! (1 Cor. 3:6)

God’s heart is toward those who are imprisoned. (Matthew 25:36). It’s humbling to think He wanted to take me on this marvelous jail adventure.  It was a “risky undertaking”, but OHHHHH…it’s been worth it!!

It began when I was in my 40’s. This year I will be 61… and it’s not over yet! Lord willing, there are many adventures ahead. In fact, there may be a new one just around the corner…..   “Lord, if it is You”