One of my favorite stories in the Bible is found at the end of Mark chapter 4 and continues into Mark chapter 5. Jesus had a long day sharing with the multitude, as “He taught them many things by parables” (Mark 4:2). On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat just as He was (Mark 4:35–36).

It is interesting that it says they took Him as He was. I would imagine that after a long day of teaching, answering questions, and explaining things in such a way as to reach each intent listener—with no food and perhaps little to drink—they took Him as He was: exhausted, yet still attentive to a single heart-cry far in the distance, one that no one but God could hear. And for this reason, the command is given: “Let us cross over to the other side.” He entered the ship and found a quiet place to lay His head on a pillow. The story continues with a great storm arising that nearly sank the ship. His disciples were in panic mode, just about to give up hope, when perhaps a flash of lightning illuminated their beloved Master, reminding them that He had never left their side. Waking Him with the words, “Do You not care that we are perishing?”— how this must have broken His heart.

But how often do we say the same thing in the storms of life? How often do we forget the promises from Jesus: “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” and “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”? (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20). And let us not forget the admonition from the Apostle Peter: “Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). It was Jesus who commanded them to cross over to the other side. He surely knew that Satan would try to hinder the purpose for the crossing. However, Jesus would endure the storm—and He was also seeking to teach His disciples that it is often through the storms and trials of life that He is leading us to some precious soul in need of deliverance from the shackles of sin.

It was for this one precious soul—a demon-possessed man—that Jesus would endure the storm. He could hear his heart’s cry for freedom. And although there were many others whom Jesus would have gladly set free from the prison house of Satan, at that time, only one would respond. For Jesus, it was worth enduring the storm for the sake of even one.

Not long ago, while in El Salvador, there seemed to be an opportunity to gain access to a prison that few had been able to enter for several years. I had submitted a request through a government contact—someone a friend of mine knew—to visit the newly built CECOT prison. Arrangements were made for us to meet, but each time an appointment was scheduled, it was canceled. In March 2024, during a mission trip with nearly 180 participants, I asked everyone to gather in groups of two or three and specifically pray that the Lord would open this door. I read a promise from a bookmark my wife had made, which included a quote from the Spirit of Prophecy based on Matthew 18:18–19. It reads:

"The promise is made on condition that the united prayers of the church are offered, and in answer to these prayers there may be expected a power greater than that which comes in answer to private prayer. The power given will be proportionate to the unity of the members and their love for God and for one another." Lt 32, 1903, par. 16

Many times, we came together in prayer and claimed this promise for this request and others. Finally, the meeting was scheduled—and this time, it happened. Praise the Lord! However, when I met with the government official, she said, 'I want to take you somewhere else—a place where the inmates have no hope. I want you to go there and give them hope”. When we arrived, the prison was heavily guarded, and we had to pass through multiple checkpoints, each involving a search, before being allowed to proceed. It was close to 100 degrees that day. Part of the prison appeared to be underground. As I observed the conditions, I understood why she brought me there.

I spent six hours, with a translator, speaking to over 600 prisoners who remained in their cells. Some were confined in small concrete boxes with steel doors and no light—or only minimal lighting—while others were in larger cell blocks. There were no mattresses, pillows, or blankets. Some might say this was extremely harsh. However, I wasn’t there to judge the government’s method of housing these men. These were some of the worst of the worst.

It had been three years since anyone had visited this prison. From what I understood, no one had entered without wearing a ski mask for security reasons in years. I walked down the first corridor on the lower level. The guards opened only the food slots so the inmates could hear me. As I spoke, I saw faces pressing up to those small openings, trying to hear and see who I was. I began by introducing myself and explaining why I was there. I made one thing very clear: only God could have opened the doors of this prison to let me in. That was a fact. After about 15 minutes of speaking, I told the government official that I wanted to shake the inmates’ hands before leaving. I remembered what a friend once said while we were at a maximum-security prison in the U.S.—about the impact of a simple, gentle human touch through a handshake, especially for those viewed with scorn and hatred for their crimes. Everyone in this section of the prison was there for multiple counts of murder. These were gang leaders and members of the two most brutal gangs in El Salvador: MS-13 and Barrio 18, also known as the 18th Street Gang.

The official asked the warden, and though I could see hesitation on her face, I assured her that I was not afraid. She told him to allow it. The warden spoke to a guard and gave the clearance. I approached the first cell and, after the translator explained what I was doing, I put my hand near the food slot. The guard stood close by. The inmate didn’t respond at first. I asked the translator if he understood what I said, and he confirmed he did—but that the inmate was afraid to put his hand outside the slot. I told him to reassure the man that it was okay. This time, I reached into the food slot with my hand.

Finally, a firm handshake was given.

As the other inmates watched, they realized it was safe. One by one, they began putting out their hands to shake mine. It was a deeply touching experience.

Two months later, I returned with a team to deliver commissary packs to all the inmates—something they had never received before. Just like in the U.S., if an inmate doesn’t have money in their account, all they receive are the standard meals provided by the prison. We wanted to do something special to show them the love of God in a tangible way. My wife and I decided to cover the cost ourselves if necessary, putting it on our credit card to ensure that each inmate received about $7.00 worth of items—cereal, cookies, and powdered drink mix. It was going to cost close to $4,000.00. But as God has done so many times before, when we stepped out in faith, He stepped in. Before we left for the trip, without us asking, different church members who heard about the project began giving us money. On that trip, they not only received the goodies but also handed out Bibles with study guides in the back, along with copies of The Great Controversy, Steps to Christ, and my book A Drop of Grace for those who were bilingual.

Before heading to the men’s prison to distribute the gifts, we visited a women’s prison—unlike anything I had ever seen. In this prison, over one hundred of the women have their babies with them. If a woman was arrested while breastfeeding, she had the option to bring her child. If she was pregnant at the time of arrest, she gave birth in prison and kept the child with her until the age of five. This is done to allow for bonding and to teach parenting skills. From what I observed, the women and children were well cared for, and the facility was very clean. We also distributed books and literature there. However, the needs are great. You can learn more by searching for the Fundación Dora Hope Behind Bars program in El Salvador. After sharing some words of encouragement at the men’s prison, we began passing out the packages. From smiles to handshakes, you could see the joy and gratitude on their faces. It was clear that the Holy Spirit was working mightily on their hearts.

As I approached one cell block, an inmate told me that two weeks before my first visit, he had a dream. In that dream, God told him someone was coming to visit. That seemed strange to him, as no one had been there for several years. He assured me that it was God who sent us. And that was true—only God could open those doors to set the captives free.

After we completed the program at the men’s prison, I met with the gentleman from whom I had purchased the commissary items to pay him. Interestingly, he had also helped us distribute the items at the prison. I thanked him for his help and partnership, but when I went to pay him, he stopped me. He said, “I’ll take care of this. Use that money to help the women in the prison who have children with them.” My eyes began to tear up—and so did his, though he didn’t want me to see. He quickly shook my hand and walked away. God is so amazing! Please pray for this man. A few days later, before I left, we met again—this time with the government official—and we had prayer together. I asked them both if they would be open to Bible studies, and they said yes. Even though the official is a Seventh-day Adventist, she said she would appreciate a review. God is so good, and only He can open doors like this.

But as always, the enemy wants to keep his captives in bondage to deception, doubt, and fear. Since that visit, the doors have not reopened. However, over the past several months, many people have been praying, and it looks like things may soon open back up. I’ll be returning to El Salvador at the end of June and hope to get back into the prison. I still have the money that the man gave me, ready to be used to purchase items for the women and their babies.

Please join me in prayer that these doors—and others like them—will open again, so that the light of truth can reach those in darkness and set the captives free. You can click the links below to see videos from the two visits, and you can visit our website where I’ve posted photos from another facility we were able to access, where we handed out sandwiches, Kool-Aid, my books, and other literature.

What Jesus sought to teach His disciples through the story of the demoniac's deliverance—and what I continue to learn in life—is that the storms we face may very well be necessary to reach that one precious soul in need of deliverance, love, hope, and encouragement. Too often, our eyes are fixed on the difficulties of life rather than on the possibilities before us—of the heart cries that have reached the Savior’s ears. The storm that Satan stirs may come because God is directing your life toward someone in desperate need, and Satan will do all he can to keep that soul in bondage.

Let us take courage in the storms of life as they never allowed without a purpose and opportunity. Remember one soul is always worth it. It sure was for Jesus. Is one worth it for you?

****