Newsletter

April 2009

Dear Friends, 

 I told you about Roger in my December letter. One day last fall, he told me, “I’m getting out on Thursday. I’m scared to death. I’m afraid I’m not going to make it.”

Roger called three weeks ago. Hey, Mark, he said, I just wanted to let you know I’m doing good and to thank you and Jean-Marc’s (his mentor) for his help. It made all the difference. I’m staying sober.  My girl friend and I are doing great. We’re even going to church together. And guess what? I just got a job. I figured you’d want to hear some good news. Thanks for everything.

The Lord is patient and wants everyone to be saved. Sometimes a pair of boots, a warm coat, and a few words of encouragement from a mentor is all it takes to put a man on the right track. That’s what we do.

It’s been a busy month. Bud and I each started teaching new classes at Middlesex House of Correction. The courses are designed to help soon-to-be-released inmates prepare for life on the outside. We’re half way through the first cycle. Response so far has been great. The classes help us build support for the mentoring program.

Several guys called me over Easter to report they are doing well and to thank us for our help. Interest in the Life Boat Mentoring Program continues to grow, but we need more mentors. It breaks my heart to turn a man away. If you would like to help a man build a new life….and….maybe…be transformed yourself, let us know. I’d be happy to connect you with one of our active mentors.

The bees made it through the winter! This counts as a small miracle and a great blessing. Many beekeepers in the area lost hives because of a wet summer and cold winter. We’ve been waiting. Sure enough, as soon as the temperature reaches 58 deg our bees are out buzzing around, looking for spring flowers. How great is that? “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”(Lamentations 3) We give thanks for God’s blessings and for your prayers.

Much grace and many blessings,

Mark

P.S. Putting Bibles in the hands of inmates is the most important and the most effective part of our ministry.  Last year we gave out over 3,000. For the past two years, a generous donor has supported the entire cost of this program. Due to the economy, he can no longer provide this support. Consider helping pick up the slack. The publisher offers prison ministries a special deal- buy two cases get one free. This means a gift of $120 will buy enough Bibles to last a month (three cases) at a unit cost of $2.00 per book. A small price for eternal life. Will you help?