Doug and Erin Darland:

Doug and Erin Darland have recently found themselves working in a prison ministry that has brought them to a place they never expected to be. Erin shares that she still feels like she is on top of the mountain from this experience. For them, this passage from Matthew 25 really encapsulates a calling they didn’t anticipate.

Erin and Doug have five children and both are teachers. Erin teachers at St. Paul’s and Doug is a teacher at North High School. She shares that they have spent a good amount of time with the inmates and have truly been blessed by the experience. “It is amazing to see these men, who despite their choices and lack of freedom, come to know our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is even more special to see them go out and be disciples too! One inmate that experienced God’s love for the first time described his tears as tears of joy...a feeling he never felt before. This is what it is all about. Bringing others into a life in Christ. Life is easier with God at the center.”

Their faith in the Lord translates to their parenting also; wanting their children to know “that hole we all have in our heart can only be filled with God the Father.” This happened in a recent experience with one of their children. Their daughter came to Erin in tears with a problem and asked for prayer. “She was feeling pretty down. She and I both knew that God was the one we needed to go to for help. It is awesome to be able to give our burdens to the Lord and have Him help us through.”

As with many people who have moved into a deeper connection with the Lord, Erin admits that they “aren’t perfect. We struggle with all of life’s distractions and we are the first to admit that we are works in progress. But one thing is for sure…despite our struggles…we are always trying to seek Him.”

The Darlands continue to visit the prison once a month for reunions with the prisoners. They were recently invited to give a talk at one of these reunions, which turned out to be another meaningful experience. Doug explains, “I look forward to these times of continuing our journey of faith with these men. I was blown away by their strength and courage. I left the prison energized and thankful for God's gifts, and I continue to be amazed by how God’s plan works in our lives. "

No matter how we end up serving God or reaching out for His Kingdom he will find a way to reach us-even in the most unlikely of places.