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HOW I WAS CHANGED

 

             My name is Elizabeth Smith.  My story begins the day I got arrested on January 8, 2005 in Ruidoso, New Mexico, for a crime I did not commit. 

                 I arrived at the Matagorda County Jail on  January 10, 2005.  A few days later I went to a bible study only to get out of my cell.  I really did not want anything to do with the “church people”.  It was an hour out of my cell, which had no TV.  At that time, I could not even have any books.  The next week I went to the bible study and still had the notion I didn’t want anything to do with the “church people”.  I kept coming just to get out of my cell. 

              One of the times when Linda prayed for me, she prayed that I would change and have a change in my attitude.   It was either the 1st or 2nd week in May that I noticed I really wanted to go to bible study for God.  I came in with a big smile and fell into Linda’s arms crying.  That same night I gave my life to Christ.  I don’t know who was happier…..God or Linda.

The rest of my time in County, I learned as much as I could from the ladies who came each week. I had been locked up for almost a year by the time the Inmate Christmas Party for 2005 was held.  I told the ladies I thought I would get to go home for Christmas.  I got out on Christmas Day after 11 months and 15 days!

            My time with Linda and my faith did not stop there.  The day after Christmas I called Linda and on New Year’s Day she came and took me to her church.  I was very nervous because I thought they would not accept me because of my crime, but I was wrong.  They took me in with open arms.  That night I decided I would like to be baptized and 14 days later on January 15, 2006 I was baptized.

           Every Sunday and  Wednesday I was picked up to go to church.  They were my family.  They prayed for me about my court appearances and they even came to some of my court dates.  Everyday I would call Linda, or one of the ladies to let them know I was okay and to just talk.

          During my trial some of the ladies were there everyday praying for me.  Linda even took me into her home when my mother could not be there.  She let me stay with her so I could rest in peace.  My Mom and I really have not gotten along during my life and having that peace kept me from going crazy.  Being at my Mom’s would have been more than I could have handled.

           Linda told me that we have God.  He always knows what is going to happen and He will be with us no matter what.   When I was sentenced I don’t know who cried more, my own mother, my grandmother or Linda.  For the first time in my life my Mom had to watch her youngest get handcuffed and escorted off by a guard.

          The very next day was a Tuesday and bible study.  I got to see Linda and it was like the year before when I fell into her arms and cried.  She told me everything will be okay and we prayed.

           We still stay in touch and to this day 20 months later she and the ladies are there for me.  Once a year with the Mike Barber Ministries they come to see me.  I’ve seen Linda twice but I think this year was the hardest because I really wanted to go home with her.  I am still waiting on my appeal and know one day I will be home.

          So thank you South Texas Prison Outreach (S.T.P.O.) for coming into the jails and prisons because without y’all there would not be a success story like mine.  I’ve changed because of you and the power of God.  Thank You!

Keep up God’s Glorious Work!

ELIZABETH SMITH

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