Prison Ministry Prayer Requests for this week – 3/27/23

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Ever heard the old rumors of how divided a church can become over the color of new carpeting? As a recent helper with some church remodeling, I can confirm truth in those stories. It seems renovation project team volunteers are bound to meet with resistance, frustration, and hard feelings on many levels – but why?  Why is consensus so elusive when it comes to interior decorating?  Why are opinions and style choices held so strongly?  Why does it become so personal?

 

Certainly more important than the final product are the attitudes of and relationships between everyone involved.  We could achieve the most prestigious look for our gathering place, but at what cost?  Jesus was keenly aware of our human nature and continually reminded us throughout His teachings of the importance of getting along.

 

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

 

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”(John 13:35)

 

Being a peacemaker doesn’t require 100% agreement, but it does require thinking of others with kindness and humility – in other words, love.  Three of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) record Jesus telling us the two most important things to get right in life.

 

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:34-40)

 

Then Paul helps us understand what it means to love our neighbor.

 

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)

 

God the Father loves us so much He sent Jesus.  Jesus loves us so much He went to the cross to pay our sin penalty.  The Holy Spirit loves us so much He guides us in all truth, reminding us of the Father and Son’s love, and expects us to practice the same. Our wonderful chaplains within Chester County prison remind inmates and staff daily of the love of God in word and action.  And it’s your support that keeps it all going, so thank you.  Have a spectacular week and surprise someone with love when they least expect it.  It will change you both.

 

Grace and Peace,

Rick

 

 

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Heinrich:

P.S.- His father passed away suddenly, and he received final divorce papers around the same time he learned of his father’s death…all while incarcerated.

 

Ramadan began on Wednesday 22 March, following the sighting of the moon over Mecca and ends on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Ramadan (and Passover) generates much zealous religiosity. This has in the past lead to hostility. Pray that the message of “saved by grace alone” will dawn on all inmates and staff during this time.

 

A Mother’s cry: My son N.H. is back at Chester county prison. Would it be possible for you to go in and visit him again? We feel he desperately needs some spiritual healing and deliverance”.

 

R.P.- “Thank you for the Word of God. It has inspired me so

 

A.T.- Former Muslim from Albania, now Christian and ostracized by his wife and only family members in the USA. He fell into sin and crime. Thank the Lord for a repentant heart and for full restoration.

 

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

Please keep Chaplain Rhonda and Chaplain Heinrich in prayer for continued strength, endurance, compassion, and wisdom as they minister to many residents, staff, and family members connected through the prison.

 

Pray with us that prison doors would open again to volunteers to minster in-person to inmates, and that God would restore the ability for inmates to gathering for sharing, study, and worship. 

 

We are so thankful that prison leadership holds our Chaplains and religious programming in high regard, may that continue and may they be blessed because of it.

 

Pray for peace among the prison population, and healing mercies for all forms of illness within the prison.

 

Keep in prayer the prison aftercare programs throughout Chester County – may more churches and organizations become active partners, and more volunteers hear the call to action in discipling men and women coming out of prison.  And may all involved with these programs – mentors and clients alike -experience the greatest spiritual growth of their lives.

 

Want to know more about being a mentor, and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison? Drop us a note at info@onesimusministries.org.

 

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Prison Ministry Prayer Requests for this week – 3/20/23

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I’m getting excited that my church is making concerted efforts to reach younger generations with the Gospel message.  It’s part of Grace Covenant’s newly revised vision and mission statements, and (in my opinion) a wonderful implementation of the great commission given by Jesus himself to all followers.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28.18-20)

He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)

Discipleship begins with relationships. In this case, intentionally finding common interests and making friends across generational boundaries, and earning the right to be heard by showing first that you care.  We must listen without judgement.  We all have much to learn, and must humble ourselves to realize that we can learn from both older and younger people in our lives.

Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?” (Matthew 21:16b)

Relationships pave the way to trust, discovery, and deep sharing of the things of God – His promises, His commands, The Truth.  Our wonderful chaplains in Chester County Prison – Rhonda and Heinrich – do their best in the short time they have with county inmates to establish trust and share the Good News whenever and wherever possible.  We should all take a lesson and determine how we too can get engaged in doing the most important work in this life.

Thank you all for your ongoing commitment to pray and support this prison ministry.  God bless you.

Grace and Peace,
Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda:

  • V. G. – a sweet young woman struggling with extremely low self-esteem, shame, regrets, and guilt. Pray that God will reform her thoughts about herself to line up with His thoughts about her, and release her from the pit of self-loathing.
  • J. E. – grew up in a Christian home; strayed away and now struggling with drug addiction and incarceration.
  • T. C. – a young woman dealing with physical and emotional issues, but really seeking to grow closer to God
  • S. S. – wrote saying, “I’ve been feeling pretty bad, it’s hard being pregnant in here”.
  • Please pray for the growing number of older female inmates (50s, 60s, & 70s) that we are seeing. Whatever it is that’s bringing them here, pray that God will have His way in their lives.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries:

  • Blessings of continued strength, endurance, compassion, and wisdom for God’s hands and feet in Chester County Prison – Chaplain Rhonda and Chaplain Heinrich, that they would continue to bless many residents, staff, and family members connected through the prison.
  • That God would soon bring back the ability for inmates to gathering for sharing, study, and worship.  And that He would also make a way for volunteers to once again minister in person to inmates within the prison walls of Chester County Prison.
  • For religious programming and the work of our chaplains to continue to be held in high regard by prison leadership, and continuance of Heinrich and Rhonda being treated as staff.
  • For relief and healing of inmates with illness or infirmity, and peace among the prison population.
  • For resolution of staffing issues, politics, and anything else in the way of allowing volunteers back into the prison.
  • For God’s promise of His Word to never return void to resonate within the halls of prisons everywhere, that inmates might enjoy a time of spiritual enlightenment like never before.
  • Blessings upon prison aftercare programs throughout Chester County – may more churches and organizations sense a call to action, and may more volunteers be drawn into serving our great God by discipling men and women coming out of prison.  And may the former inmates within these programs bear Spiritual fruit as they integrate back into society as godly women and men.

Want to know more about being a mentor, and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison? Drop us a note at info@onesimusministries.org.

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Prison Ministry Prayer Requests for this week – 3/13/23

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This past weekend, Grace Covenant Church hosted a marriage seminar called “Created for Connection”.  As a volunteer running the AV systems, I was blessed to hear the presentations and workshops offered throughout the day.  Afterward, I thought how most men (like me) are not very comfortable or experienced in the domain of relationships.  Many of us can be shy or just prefer to keep to ourselves.  But didn’t Jesus give us instructions that might require us to step out of our comfort zone?

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

We serve a relational God – He wants to hear from us and bless us, and He wants us to relate to and bless one another. We hear that from several disciples…

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:8-10)

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3)

So the question becomes – how best can we love and serve others with that which God has blessed us?

Our wonderful Chaplains inside Chester County Prison demonstrate this relational love every day with inmates, prison staff, and their families.  As they relate to these people, serving needs from dietary requests to serving family death notices to counseling for just about any life situation, they allow the love of God to shine into each interaction.

We are blessed to have them ministering within the prison walls, and blessed that so many of you support this ministry with your prayers and contributions.  May our Father in heaven bless you in a special way this week.

Grace and Peace,
Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Heinrich:

  • E.R.: “The Life Recovery Bible has opened up my Heart & Soul to the Lord. I am no longer lost. It helps me to understand the Word in many miraculous ways. Please keep me in your prayers as I start on my new beginning. May God bless u4ever”
  • M.T. (57): On his way to a State Correctional Institution (SCI) for 20-40 years. He found Jesus at CCP. Pray that he will be a disciple-maker. Pray for the family of his victim.
  • J.F.: “It’s hard for me to follow the Bible”. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give him super-natural insight and understanding of God’s Word.
  • N.R.: “I need to talk about my problems and I need help with a bus ticket to Niagara Falls. Please help me. I don’t have no one to help me…please”

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries:

  • Oh Lord, would you please make a way for volunteers to once again fulfill their calling to minister in person to inmates within the prison walls of Chester County Prison.
  • May God also make a way for inmate gatherings to share, study, and worship. 
  • Heavenly Father, please inspire prison leadership to allow religious programming for the benefit of those who really need a personal touch from our great God, and thank you for the favor our Chaplains have enjoyed for years.
  • May the population of the prison enjoy a time of peace and spiritual prosperity.  May the inmates also be blessed with physical, mental, and relational health.
  • May those suffering from illness, disease, or mental deficiencies enjoy healing and wholeness from the Great Physician that is our gracious God.
  • May the prison aftercare programs throughout Chester County enjoy a time of ample volunteers and support through great partnerships with churches and other faith-based organizations.  May the women and men in those programs make real strides in their faith journey and their re-integration into society as responsible citizens.

Want to know more about being a mentor, and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison? Drop us a note at info@onesimusministries.org.

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Prison Ministry Prayer Requests for this week – 3/6/23

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

During a prayer meeting Sunday afternoon, a friend sought prayer for an upcoming discussion on salvation with a recent acquaintance of hers.  After the meeting, I sought to help my friend since her acquaintance and I share a common history of Catholicism. I described to my friend how the pivot point for me many years ago was understanding the difference between religion and relationship. 

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)

We imperfect humans are constantly contriving systems where we select certain rules to follow, rank everything, and usually end up putting God in some type of box – then we wonder why it ultimately doesn’t satisfy our heart’s desire.  And the reason is we try to substitute religion for a relationship with our living God.

I think Jesus illustrated that point when religious experts of His day tried to pin Him down and say which of their 613 laws was the most important.  As usual, His response went far beyond what anyone expected.

One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”  Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:35-40)

Like any good parent desires relationship with their children, God desires a relationship with each of us, and that’s only possible (on our end) if we accept Him as our heavenly Father by the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, who paid the penalty for our sin debt on the cross.

Educating or reminding inmates of God’s promises and desire for relationship is precisely why we support our wonderful Chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich inside Chester County Prison, growing the kingdom of God and sharing the Good News with “the least of these”.  Pray for continued seasons of fruitfulness within the prison walls for both inmates and staff (and their families).  Thanks for your ongoing support of this ministry – God bless you!

Grace and Peace,
Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda:

H. Z. – has been in CCP  many times; struggling with addiction and dysfunction due to brain injury; longing for a better life and to have her children back, but not sure how to get there; resisting God in favor of Buddhist beliefs

V. G. – sweet young woman dealing with mental health issues; excited to hear about God and desiring to know Him more; struggling with a lot of shame

J. F. – older inmate; wrote “I have no clothing, no shoes or coat, no transportation, nowhere to live, no ID,  no access to money, no friends or family”.  Pray that I can help her get connected to resources and she can find the help she needs, especially a relationship with God

C. S. – a very frequent resident of CCP (she actually holds the record for the most arrests for females); after years of alcohol addiction, a homosexual lifestyle and no interest in faith in God, she is asking for a Bible and other material. Please pray for these first steps toward faith, that God will meet her and bring her closer to Himself.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries:

  • For the doors of Chester County Prison to soon open to volunteers to minister in person once again.
  • For God to inspire leadership to allow religious programming and gatherings among inmates.
  • For peace among the inmate population (which also helps make the decisions above).
  • For healing and wholeness for those suffering from illness, disease, or mental deficiencies.
  • For strong aftercare programs among Chester County churches to support the men and women recently released from prison to further their relationship with the living God, build upon progress made in prison, and take positive steps toward wholeness and reintegration to society.

Want to know more about being a mentor, and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison? Drop us a note at info@onesimusministries.org.

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Prison Ministry Prayer Requests for this week – 2/27/23

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

If you’ve ever experienced someone coming to Christ for the very first time, it’s not something you soon forget.  Such an awesome feeling of joy and excitement as you see a life changed for eternity.  My wife and I just saw the movie “Jesus Revolution” in the theater over the weekend, and it was full of those moments. We highly recommend it.

The movie chronicled the start of the Jesus movement in 1970-71 out in California, then sweeping the nation.  Historians record it as the greatest awakening in our county’s history.  The movie centers on the Pastor of a small church full of people who all judged the Hippies for their behavior, until God brought one particular Hippie directly across the Pastor’s path.  But this Hippie knew the Lord, and opened the Pastor’s eyes describing that whole generation as thirsty, searching for something in all the wrong places, and as sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (Matthew 9:35-38)

The parallel to today’s culture was uncanny – many churches don’t understand millennials who mostly elect to avoid church and organized religion.  Like the Hippies in the movie, they are thirsty and searching in the wrong places, like sheep without a shepherd.  And yet we hear of revival happening at Asbury University in Kentucky.

It’s exciting to think of what God may be doing in our time.  Many of us want to be a part of it, and maybe aren’t sure how.  One thing is certain – we must hold fast to God’s Word and faithfully do what it says.  And God’s Word tells us to take care of “the least of these”.  Thank you all for your part in doing just that – through prayers and other forms of support. May God have His way with us all!

Grace and Peace,
Rick

Praise and Thanks from Chaplain Heinrich for:

  • What God is doing at CCP…in the lives of staff and inmates.
  • Increasing willingness of CCP Staff to share their personal and spiritual needs with the Chaplains.
  • After more than 3 years of COVID-related restrictions, Permission was granted to counsel inmates in the chaplaincy offices.
  • Several reports of inmates meeting for Bible study in their day rooms.
  • The “unlimited” supply of Life Recovery Bibles by Prison Fellowship.
  • God’s provision in the ministry’s needs by means of individuals, churches and others.
  • Invitations for Chaplains to speak/report at churches.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries:

  • Pray for our Chaplains in Chester County prison – Heinrich and Rhonda – that God would bless them in so many ways to continue being a wonderful blessing to others.
  • Pray that God would make a way to reopen Chester County Prison to ministry volunteers and religious gatherings.
  • Pray for prison-related ministries to all be ready when God decides to move.
  • Pray for continued progress within the prison for Chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich around face-to-face counselling for inmates, and that they would be able to have more personal interactions with them.
  • Pray for those within the prison system suffering from physical or mental illness – may they experience a swift and complete recovery and healing.
  • Pray for peace among the prison population and staff, and that more may come to experience God’s peace that surpasses all understanding.
  • Pray for continuation and growth of aftercare programs among Chester County churches and other faith-based organizations. And pray for the men and women in those programs to build upon progress made in prison, and take positive steps toward wholeness and reintegration to society.

Want to know more about being a mentor, and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison? Drop us a note at info@onesimusministries.org.

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Chaplain Jottings – Rhonda Soland

As we head into our 3rd year of Covid restrictions, the temptation is to wonder if we will ever get back to “normal”. Will we ever be able to gather for services in our chapel again? Will we ever be able to meet with the residents face to face to offer encouragement and spiritual guidance and to look them in the eye and let them know that there is a God who created them, who loves them and has a plan for their lives, no matter what they’ve done or where they’ve been? Will I ever again be able to meet freely with the women, learn their names, hear their stories, and point them in the direction of One Who wants to walk with them throughout their lives?

It feels like the answer to these questions is in doubt, but, at some point, we will get back to gathering for chapel services and meeting for spiritual counseling. When that will be is not known to us; God is in control of the details. And while we have been hampered in our ability to minister, He has not been deterred at all.

God is still hard at work in Chester County Prison. Even without church services, there are a number of women who are striving and growing in their faith. They are reading their Bibles, spending time in prayer, journaling, and pursuing growth, understanding, and knowledge. I receive written correspondence from them requesting study materials, asking questions about faith, and expressing their desire to grow closer to God.

A recent example of such correspondence that I received is from a woman who was very distraught and troubled a few weeks ago when we met briefly. She was anxious and worried about her circumstances, but now wrote saying, “I have been struggling with feeling isolated – and have tried to fill those moments with prayers out loud, to feel more connected to Him.” She also wrote, “My prayer is that I use this time to glorify Him and deepen my relationship with Him, His Word, and spiritual leaders like you, so that I might be put to good use in celebrating God’s Kingdom.” A very beautiful expression of desire to grow in God.

Another woman wrote to me, “I really am so thankful to get back in touch with God – a journey I started many years ago but lost my way. I’m excited for this new chapter of my life with God by my side.”

This is the work that God is doing in Chester County Prison. We are hindered, but He is not. I am not able to freely meet with the women, but that is not a problem for Him. He meets with them.

This time of Covid restrictions at CCP will be over at some point, but through it all, nothing has been lost; ministry is still happening and those who are seeking are still finding.

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Faithful Over These Few Things – Heinrich Botes

Faithfulness, the definition of this word and its application on prison ministry is so much more relevant than ever before. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines faithfulness as “firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty”.

Jesus concludes a parable in Matthew 25:23 with these words: “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”

Ministry to prisoners across the globe has been shaken to its very core by the strange developments since 2020. The chapel at Chester County Prison, just like in all other prisons, is not in use, and approved religious volunteers who have been serving for decades are not allowed access. This is unprecedented…a word that is sadly used far too often to describe the days we’re living in.

We’re hearing reports of prison volunteers “moving on,” of dwindling financial support and hardly any invitations to speak in Sunday services. Does this also impact prayer support and “visiting those in prison” with sympathy, compassion, love, and notes of support? This is a frightening realization…we as chaplains could be on our own!

But, God forbid, we as Onesimus Ministry volunteers and supporters should fall into this trap of being unfaithful when the “winds of time are contrary,” as happened in Matthew 14:24.

Whether you’re a chaplain, a prison volunteer or “only” a supporter of prison ministry, now is the time to display impeccable “faithfulness” over the few things for which our Master made us responsible. What are these few things Jesus Christ expects from you regarding ministry to those incarcerated?

Have you been, or rather, are you faithful “over these few things”?

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How Do We Answer “Honest Questions” From a Serious Inquiry? – Vernon Myers

“WHAT IS GOD? AND WHERE DID HE COME FROM?”

“WHO IS HIS FATHER? SHOULD I BE SCARED OF HIM OR IT?”

“ARE THESE STORIES IN THE BIBLE TALL TALES?”

“I AM REALLY TRYING HARD, BUT THE MORE I READ AND DISCUSS THE BIBLE THE MORE I CAN’T UNDERSTAND. I MAY BE TOO CLOSED MINDED AND/OR AFRAID. I WORRY THAT I WONT BE ABLE TO EVER GET IT.”

“I UNDERSTAND LOVE BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME AND I KNOW WHAT UNCONDITIONAL LOVES FEELS LIKE TO GET AND GIVE BECAUSE OF MY FAMILY AND MY BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN. IS THAT GOD?”

 “THESE QUESTIONS ARE REAL AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY MIGHT SOUND CHILDISH, BUT IF YOU COULD HELP ME, I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT. THANKS.”

“THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL BIBLE.”

What you just read are real questions of an honest mind and heart from someone desperately wanting to know and understand the spiritual truths of life. Chaplain Rhonda reported at our last board meeting she received a request form asking the questions. How shall we respond to these questions? Can we help this person find answers in the Bible she was given?

These questions put us on a search to find some help for her. Part of our search has taken us to booklets about Biblical truth from ServeNow. ServeNow is a mission agency headquartered in Denver, Colorado, offering hope to people who are most vulnerable. Part of their significant ministry is providing leadership training for local pastors to help their people, through the use of 30 booklets in a Basic Series set, which provides basic teaching about God and Jesus, as well as on subjects such as prayer, Bible study, worship, and other Christian-based interests.

Rhonda gave the woman who asked these honest questions the booklet entitled, “Basic Things You Should Know About God.” After reading it, she wrote in reply:

“I loved the booklet and appreciated the thought behind it. Yes, it’s informative and it was really cool to know exactly where the Scripture came from in the whole context. I love reading the Bible and learning about our God, Jesus, and the history behind this Book. I can even hear myself changing and feel myself evolving with a deeper understanding of God & Jesus & His teachings. I have so many more questions, but I am not afraid of God, I talk to Him now in my own way throughout my day. He is with me. He is for me always! Can’t wait till our next meeting and thank you!”

What a wonderful response! The Lord willing, we will be purchasing some of the booklets as a resource for others to experience a deeper understanding of God’s forgiving and enabling grace. 

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Pray Without Ceasing – Rick Chiavetta

Prior to the pandemic on any given Monday evening at
7pm, you’d find a group of about twelve volunteers from
different churches and different backgrounds gathered in the
professional visitors waiting room at Chester County Prison.
The purpose was simple, follow God’s command to love
our neighbors as ourselves (Mt 22.39) and, by conducting a
weekly church service for the inmates, remember those in
prison (Hebrews 13.3) .

After a quick greeting, each service begins with a time
of prayer. We ask the men what’s on their hearts – what they
really care about – then spend time lifting up each prayer
request to our Heavenly Father. But requests don’t stop
there, because later that evening, those same requests are
sent out via email to prayer chains across several churches,
to be shared in prayer meetings and small groups throughout
Chester County and beyond.

The pandemic shut down many things, including
volunteerism in the prison, but it can’t stop God’s people
from praying – a discipline highly encouraged throughout
scripture. But what to do during the shutdown when we can’t
meet with the men? Well, we applied the idea of recycling,
reaching back through piles of old prayer lists (just can’t
throw those lists away). In an attempt to keep us all in that
spiritual habit of prayer for those in prison, we kept up the
weekly emails.

Chaplaincy was deemed an essential service, and our
Chaplains continued to show up in the prison week after
week, ministering to the many needs of inmates and staff,
and doing so without volunteer assistance. Once direct
contact with inmates resumes, we will again receive “live”
prayer requests via Chaplains Heinrich and Rhonda. We
are so thankful for our tireless chaplains, and all of our
prayer warriors who lift up the inmates and their heart
cries week after week. Won’t you join us? To receive the
weekly prison prayer request email, just send a note to rick.
chiavetta@gmail.com.

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“Exceedingly, Abundantly More….” Ephesians 3:20 – Rhonda Soland

Sometimes God surprises us with how extravagantly
and abundantly He meets a need. It stops us in our tracks
and leaves us wide-eyed in wonder and amazement. But
why should it surprise us, when we serve a God who can
do the impossible?

We have been using the Life Recovery Bible as the
main Bible at Chester County Prison for the past few
years. At times, it has been a bit of a struggle to keep
them in stock and there have been times, when we did
not have any at all, and we had to generate a “wait list”
for the residents who requested them, with a promise
to send them a Bible once we received more. The
Life Recovery Bible is particularly well-suited for use
in the prison environment, as the majority of inmates
struggle with substance abuse issues. It uses a very easy
to understand translation, and includes notes to help
the reader understand how to apply the Word to their
lives, so it has been very popular among the men and
women. Therefore, the Bibles would fly off our shelves
very quickly and we would have to stretch to meet the
demand.

A few months ago, Prison Fellowship contacted us
with an offer of free Bibles. They were offering up to
220 Bibles for free (in English or Spanish), including
free shipping! And the Bible they were offering? The
Life Recovery Bible! We marveled at God’s provision,
rejoiced, and jumped on the opportunity.

A few weeks later, unexpectedly, I received a call
from the officer at the guard-station at the entrance of
the prison, informing me that a delivery had arrived for
me. I thought there must be some mistake. All the book
deliveries for the chaplain’s office come in through the
mailroom and are either delivered to our offices or we
pick them up from the mailroom. So I was confused. He
told me that a large truck was there with a delivery for
me, and that it was Bibles. Then I remembered. He said
he would send the truck through and I could come out
and meet the driver at the second guardhouse.

By the time I got outside to the guard-station, they
had the driver out of the truck, questioning him, the back
of the truck was open, and officers were in the truck
inspecting the pallet of Bibles. I was completely taken
aback. I had not considered how heavy 220 Bibles would
be or how they would be delivered. I had not informed
anyone from security or administration that a shipment
would be coming. They had no knowledge of it, were
not expecting it, and were very suspicious of a truck
that showed up out of nowhere with a “delivery” that no one knew about. I
wanted to kick myself. I apologized to the driver, who looked very nervous.

The officers did not want to allow the truck to pass through the gate into
the heart of the prison to get to the loading dock. It was after 3:00, and no
trucks were allowed into the prison after 3:00. There were
many phone calls to higher authorities, and back and forth
conversations, questions, and confusion. I offered to take
the Bibles into the prison myself, if the driver would just be
allowed to open the pallet right there. I could use a cart and,
with multiple trips, carry them into the building. The driver
informed me that there were over 800 lbs of Bibles on the
pallet. I was deflated, but still determined to do it.

There were more back and forth calls and conversations
between the officers and administration, as they determined
how to handle the situation. I apologized to the driver again,
feeling helpless and foolish. Finally, the approval came
through to allow the truck into the prison grounds to unload
the pallet at the loading dock.

I thanked the officers and the driver and went back
inside, relieved, but still feeling embarrassed to have been
the cause of such commotion.

Later, it came to my attention that, when the call had
gone through from the officer at the guard-station to the
administration regarding the Bibles, it was at the time of the
afternoon briefing, when all the Majors, Captains, Directors,
and even the Warden are present. They all were made aware
and involved in the discussion of the 800 pounds of Bibles
arriving in the prison. Suddenly, the Word of God was the
topic in their meeting.

It is said, “God moves in mysterious ways.” He blest
us with an abundant supply of Life Recovery Bibles, and
in doing so, He broke into the consciousness of every
high-ranking official in the prison. But why should we be
surprised?

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted
among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm
46:10

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