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My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I was so angry. Here I am, giving my time, and just waiting. And waiting. I’m sitting in the interview area of the prison, waiting for my weekly 1-on-1 session with Kenny. I know he works in maintenance, and last time it took a while to track him down before they brought him out to me. This time seemed excessive. After 45 minutes, I walk over to the officer in charge to ask what’s going on. He assures me he just checked and Kenny is working in another building but on his way.
So I sit back down and wait. And wait. And wait. All religious 1-on-1 sessions are 30 min long and must be done by 2:55pm before the afternoon count at 3pm. It’s already 2:15 and I’ve been waiting since 1:00. Finally, right around 2:24pm the officer comes over and says he’s not coming. “Wish I knew that an hour ago” I snapped back. I was so angry.
On my way out, the guilt set in – great Christian witness, Rick, snapping at the officer like that. And why am I so mad? Because it didn’t go my way? Because I wasn’t in control? If I come to serve and give my time, isn’t my time a gift? And if it’s spent differently than I think it should be, what difference should that make? If I give a gift, I need to let it go to be used (or not used) by the recipient. I need to model what God does with each of us.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn3.16) God gave the world the gift of His Son, knowing that some would accept His gift and others reject or simply ignore the gift. Is God angry at them? I mean, He went to all the trouble of sending His son to earth as a baby, then Jesus spent all that time teaching and showing us the way, and finally sacrificing himself for us. How dare we not respond in appreciation, acceptance, and thankfulness?
I think God is disappointed and perhaps broken hearted for those who will not be part of His Kingdom, but I don’t believe He is angry at them. And neither should we. May we all have hearts of compassion like our Heavenly Father, and present His gift to everyone in our community. And not be stressed or angry at what happens after that. As one of our ministry leaders reminds us – we are in charge of effort, He is in charge of results.
Thank all of you for your heart of compassion, and for your time spent praying for inmates, staff, the chaplains, volunteers, all of their families, and the prayer requests below. You are a blessing! May God bless You in a special way this week as our celebration of Advent continues.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):x
- Troy– hope to get out next Tuesday, and hope my phone is still working. [We prayed for his life to be different than before he came to prison].
- Lloyd– my son (Gabriel) has his 10th birthday tomorrow, and I hope to talk with him.
- Kenneth– pray for a miracle, a better turnout of my case, and wisdom in decision making around the deal they are offering. Also pray for relationship with my Dad – it was very unhealthy for a long time, but now really good.
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- Kenny– going after a job in the Work Release Center on the Farm Crew, process takes about a month. I’m thankful for the maintenance job I have, it makes the time go quickly. My Mom has a new job. My girlfriend cheated on me and is no longer my girl. Dad told me how the only true friends are the ones who stayed in contact with me. Looking forward to my Dad and Grandpa visiting next week. Pray for family and friends, especially Jimmy and Frances, and for my time to keep going smoothly and fast.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- John– that God would return us to our families soon.
- Kevin– mental health, my kids, all the single fathers in here, and for strength, guidance, and protection. Also pray for freedom and forgiveness.
- Austin– to make better choices, and for my son to have a great birthday on the 21st.
- John– for all those who don’t know the Lord, for all the upcoming court dates- that the judges have compassion and kindness in their heart. Also pray for world peace, and an end to violence and hostilities. And pray for those who pray for us, like the little old ladies in Lancaster.
- Mark– for trust, and not give up on the Lord.
- Nicholas– for family, and for all of us in here – we only have each other.
- Jim M– my son Jacob.
- Phil T– for my brother and his wife who had their first grandchild (Wyatt) born yesterday. And for all those feeling loss at Christmas time, like Matt’s friend Shaun who lost his wife earlier this year and has 4 small kids.
- Dan T– for my “ongoing project”- I have an opportunity tomorrow night to witness to my brother-in-law, pray it goes well and that he would see the light and accept Christ.
- Deron– perseverance in light of treatment by CO’s
- Andy L– my daughter and her husband have no interest in the Lord.
- Tim– for my elderly mom and dad (Nancy and Pete), I’m so sorry to put them through this.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Jeremiah– for my sister Aneeka (stage 4 cancer) who just had surgery.
- Mike– for the volunteers that come in every week for us, may they have a good Christmas. For Jeremiah and his trial in early January (after waiting over 40 months)- pray for a good outcome. And for my children and their mother who is agnostic.
- Logan– for all of us, for mercy, and for our families. Thanks to God for His grace, and pray we can get out soon.
- Pasquale– for our families, my wife and kids, and to get out soon. And for everybody here.
- Donny– for all the families of those affected by the school shooting in Wisconsin. For my Aunt Janice who’s cancer has come back and she has an upcoming surgery. And for my daughter and granddaughter and family.
- Morgan– for my sister (Katiera) who’s having twins and due in May. For all the families struggling during the holidays, and everyone whose struggling right now. Thanks for all the organizations helping people with food, toys for kids, etc. Trying to make positive change in the world.
- Ryan– for my wife (Janice) – the holidays are really hard for her, being separated from her family. Pray for her to have peace.
- Andy D– praise for my sister (Donna) – her cancer is in remission. Pray for a new opportunity to share the gospel with her.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- Our prison Chaplains – Jack, Rhonda, and Heinrich – for compassion and inspiration as they minister through the holiday season.
- Prison leadership and staff – health and wellbeing for them and their families/support system, so each one can appropriately deal with all the daily and weekly issues complicated by staff shortages and high turnover.
- All the inmates – Male, Female, incarcerated youth, and all of their families – prison doesn’t just affect the inmate – they are all doing time.
- Religious programs at the prison – to be looked upon with favor by staff, and seen as value-add by prison leadership.
- Ministry Volunteers – for more opportunities to engage them, and blessings upon those entering the prison each week.
- Aftercare ministries – to be effectively equipped with needed people and resources for ministry to released inmates, and for all involved to seek out and find true satisfaction in God alone.
If you’d like to find out more about mentoring and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison, drop us a note at outreach@onesimusministries.org.
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