Newsletter

August 2009

Dear Friends,

Seems like we’re getting the entire summer in two weeks this year. It’s been a tough time for the men and women in jail. Some have air conditioning and some don’t.  Tempers grow short and patience runs out quickly.

We’ve been blessed by Spirit this month.  I was in a state facility two weeks ago, working the prayer line.  I looked up as a guy stepped forward. “What can I pray for?” I asked. His smile exploded. “Remember me?” He said. I paused, running quickly through my mental Rolodex. I remembered his face, but his name escaped me. “I was in this same spot a year ago. I was a Muslim then. You helped change my life. Pastor, I became a Christian that night and have been preparing for the ministry ever since. Pray that the misunderstanding that brought me back will be straightened out.”

We recently began sending birthday cards to the men in the Life Boat Mentoring Program. It’s a way to keep in touch. I’d like to share part of a letter I received from one of those men. “To whom it may concern: I want to say thank you for acknowledging my B Day, which no one else has or even thought of me… I truly appreciate the card very much. Please pray for me that the Lord will change me to become a better individual and stop living for Satan.” Even a small thing like a birthday card can bring joy, encouragement and new life. 

There are many aspects of prison ministry and many things that need attention. Our focus has been and will continue to be the individual inmate.  Our mission is to help released prisoners build new lives and stay out of jail. We achieve this mission through relationship- one on one, face to face, helping real people with real problems. During the past couple of months, I have taken this to the Lord and the answer still comes back- “keep on keepin’ on.” There are several things we need to do better and some things we need to stop doing entirely, but our commitment to the prisoner remains.

If you’ve been supporting this ministry, thanks for being part of the team. Every life we touch inside, you are there beside us. Last week, I as I peered through the bullet proof glass of a visitor’s station; I listened as the man I am mentoring shared his dreams. “You know, Mark, all I want is a little place to live, a job to make a little money and someone to share my life with.” Not much is it? Help us help him to that abundant life. Thank you.

Much grace and many blessings,

Mark

P.S. The need for Bibles is never ending. Thanks to those who have given. In addition to the Scriptures we give out weekly, I had six cases shipped to Cambridge Jail. These are the first new Bibles they’ve seen in a year. Please help.