We were not able to see him!

One of our dearest friends behind the bars has written a booklet. This booklet is directed to youth and others who are involved in the life style of gangs and drugs. He shares that a life lived in the streets is one that leads to suffering, pain, prison, and even death. He continues by saying that a life centered on Christ is one that brings peace, contentment and purpose.

A sister in Christ at Tecate Mission has edited this booklet and put it into a readable form. We wanted to show the finished product to our brother in Christ who wrote it, but he was OUT TO COURT last week when we went to visit him. His friends said he was waiting for it and will be glad to see it. We only go to his institution once every three months, but we will try to return soon. We can’t wait to see his face when he sees the booklet!

Some recent one-liners from your brothers & sisters in Christ behind bars!

J. : "Praise God, I just received notice that I will be going to minimum! I hope it will be near my family."

E.: "Carlitos, when I heard the music and your message about Christ, I can’t explain what happened, but something changed inside me. Now I have sent copies of the songs and Bible studies to all my family."

S.: "Please pray that my Mom will bring my daughter to visit me. I haven’t seen her in a year & a half. . . I don’t even know what her favorite color or subject in school is. I want to know my daughter!"

C.: "God has really used this time to motivate me to become more creative with my music skills…I have met others with the same interest & now we write songs to the Lord every day. I will be released to Milwaukee in a month & I am looking for other musicians there who want to form a Christian band to reach people for Christ."

A.: "I’m worried about my younger brother. No one knows where he is."

C.: "This new Bible that I received for finishing the first course of Bible Correspondence study represents a lot of hours of work, but it was worth the effort!"

M.: "I hoped my sentence wouldn’t be this long. I feel deflated & discouraged with God. Please visit me again."

He's been released!

On Our October 2006 and June 2007 postings, we spoke of our “John 3:16” man. He was one who not only knew John 3:16 but several other Bible verses. He re-dedicated his life to the Lord and we praise God because we were able to continue communication with him for these past two years. He is a precious brother in Christ!

He has been and is very committed to the Lord. And the good news is: he was RELEASED from prison yesterday. He wanted us to pick him up, but as you know, we are not able to do so. He will be staying at a Christian home called ‘Hope Street’. The disciplines there will be good for him. He loves the Lord and calls us his Pastors!

The DOC will let an inmate's old gang or drug-dealing buddies pick him up, but we as his Pastors cannot. Please pray for God's will for proposed changes to hopefully be okayed soon by the Secretary of the DOC.

Prison aftercare!

Some facts about prison work and prison aftercare:
• Almost 80% of crimes are committed by Repeat offenders. (They are NOT being rehabilitated!)
• 95% of prisoners will be released within 3 years
• Most will return to society ill-equipped to enter trades or professions; or hold a productive job
• Most will not have learned to deal with problems of loneliness, mistrust, and hatred
• The ONLY Programs that have been proven effective are those which seek to help change …
• The HEARTS of criminals rather than simply attacking the symptoms of crime.
• It’s Not a job for “A” church, but “THE” Church!
Please keep praying for prison aftercare. Does God want you involved in prison aftercare?