Newsletter Christmas 2009

Dear Friends,

“He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.” Luke 1.32

I’m writing to ask you to help released prisoners stay out of jail this Christmas season with a gift to the New England Prison Ministries.

People often ask to hear a success story- and rightfully so. I felt so proud when Harry handed me a business card on Friday night. Harry called me almost a year ago. He had been out of prison for less than a month and was a broken man. He had experienced terrible hardship and abuse during his incarceration and was barely able to hold his head up or make conversation.

Harry and I have been meeting every two weeks for almost a year now. He’s had difficult times, but I’ve watched him grow. He now walks tall and speaks firmly. He smiles and he talks more about the future than the past. His biggest frustration is his inability to find work.  On Friday night, he handed me a business card. “That’s me,” he smiled, “I’m starting a business. That’s the first card I’ve given out.” Harry’s going to make it.

Our work is more important than ever. As the budget knife cuts deeper, inmate and re-entry services are the first to go. We are now fighting to prevent the Department of Corrections from laying-off Prison Chaplains. More cuts are coming. I have a vision of a tidal wave of need bearing down on us. I believe the Lord is calling us to stand against that tidal wave.

We need your help. It’s been a very difficult year financially. Our goal is to raise $15,000 by the end of December to catch up and lean into the New Year. Your gift of $50 will buy winter clothing for a man who was arrested in July in shorts and t shirt. A gift of $100 will cover the cost of a week of Bible Studies at Billerica House of Correction; a gift of $200 will cover the cost of mentoring one man for a week. We give out 2 cases of Bibles every month. That’s close $1500 a year. Please help.

Kate and I want to thank you for your prayers, your support and encouragement. God is good and His love is steadfast. We continue to give Him the glory, but we could not do our part without your help. Thanks.

Have a great Christmas, but please, “remember the prisoner as though you were one of them.” Thank you. 

Much grace and many blessings,

Mark 

P.S. Please fill out the enclosed card and return it with your check payable to:’ New England Prison Ministries” by December 31. Thanks.