MINISTRY POTPOURRI

THREE STEPS FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK
We frequently experience ups and downs in this ministry God has called us to. Last fall a young man we have spent time with was released from prison. He had a good job and was promised an introduction to a local church by a Christian friend who had been leading a Bible study at his institution…Last week he showed up in our Dodge class, having returned to prison!

We long to see our guys and gals have success on the outside, but when this doesn’t happen, we welcome them back to the study to continue learning about the Lord.

He asked to give a testimony, sharing that his probation agent sent him back to the same setting where his offense was committed. It wasn’t long before his ex-girlfriend and her new man came to visit, and as they say,” the rest is history”. He realizes he wasn’t ready to handle the emotional challenges he faced.

What God seems to impact our hearts with is the GREAT NEED for a faith-based half-way house or transitional living house where ex-prisoners could live in a structured environment with daily training in the Bible and practical application. Please ask God what part YOU can play in accomplishing this goal.

“WILL I BE DEPORTED?”
We are working with many prisoners who will be deported when they finish their sentences--some did not have papers to enter the United States to begin with, and others have lost theirs due to having committed a crime here. Some will have to leave their families behind when they are deported, because some family members do have U.S. citizenship or residency papers. Please pray for God’s answer to the immigration issue, and pray for those being deported who have become Christians during their incarcerations, to continue to live entirely new lives “in Christ”.

A TRIP TO REDGRANITE
For many months we have been wanting to make another trip there to follow-up with two dozen contacts. We have been blocked several times. Join us in asking God to open the way to go soon.

RACINE CORRECTIONAL
God has opened the door for us to minister more regularly to the many Latino men in Racine. They have been encouraged during our special services and there may be an opportunity to have a monthly Bible study with them. Our schedule is already full, yet perhaps God has His purpose for us there. We need God’s wisdom. We ask Him to send more workers into His prison mission field to share the load.

WHAT COULD I DO?
We’re glad you asked! There is always a need for those who will partner with us prayerfully and financially. God may be calling you to become a mentor to someone in or out of prison, be on an aftercare network team to help after release in a variety of ways, or become a prison pen pal. You may have an idea of your own! We wait to hear from you.