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My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Volunteers in second service are trying something different – ending the message a little early to allow for questions and interaction with inmates. It can be risky, like managing an inmate with a strong personality and an axe to grind. But it can also be fruitful, by taking the time to address what they want to know or questions they have.
Last night, Ryan asked the men “which attribute of God do you have the toughest time with?” The first response was God’s compassion- how can He still love us after all we’ve done (and sometimes continue to do)? It allowed us to expand on the greatness of God – how His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways above our ways – He is God, and in our limited understanding we rely on the truth of His revealed Word.
Another inmate added he (and all the men) are at the lowest point in their life. We remind them God’s been there all along, but our self-centeredness and sinful pursuits have us ignore Him. But now He’s got their attention. Life’s busyness crowded out any thoughts of praying or reading God’s Word, but now there’s nothing but time. I’ve heard inmates call it a Godly time out. Others tell me how God saved their life with jail – how most friends they ran with on the street were dead from shootings or overdose, and they should be dead too, but maybe God has a plan for them. Yes and Amen!
Interactions like these remind us why we go into the prison each week, and encourage us that we are making a difference. Your prayers also make a huge difference. Never underestimate how important your prayers are to the success of this ministry. We are so thankful for your partnership and support in many ways. Have a blessed 4th of July Holiday and stay safe!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):
- Lloyd– my daughter (Harley), my 9 kids, and my 9 sisters.
- David– for my girlfriend and my kids to be doing ok.
- Manuel– my court date to get set, and my family.
- Javier– my family, and my court date on 7/14.
- Ken– all the victims of wars in Iran, Israel, Ukraine – pray for peace.
- Arnaldo– my family, my 2 kids, my wife.
- Andy D– volunteer Matt had shoulder surgery yesterday, in a lot of pain, praying for relief and healing.
- Roland D– my wife’s healing and relief from pain.
- Eugene – my wrists, and my daughter (Cashmere) to be able to use right arm.
- Jack– crazy commissary situation again, my old cellmate using my PIN to order a ton of Spanish greeting cards. Pray my legal team can resolve an outstanding warrant for me in South Carolina before my release on 7/23 so I don’t have to be extradited again. Pray all of this could be over so I can start my voluntary rehab and get back to my kids.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Michael– my Mom, and everybody’s Moms, my Mom is 80 and has some health issues, pray she could stay calm because my situation really stressing her out.
- John– God to guide us all home.
- Daniel– my Mom is happy for my change of heart, and now my children can benefit, thankful for another day of life. Pray for all my cellmates in here, especially my Latino brothers who are afraid of being deported, like my friend here from Guatemala.
- Brian– My Mom has been in and out of hospital with a gall bladder infection and needs it out – she’s real weak, pray for her healing and recovery.
- Tim– I go to court tomorrow, pray for charges to be dropped or a new fair trial. Also for my family having a tough time.
- Erwin J– my wife Rena has back surgery on July 18.
- Manuel– my family, wife, daughter, and that I will be out in 9 months.
- Martin– to stay strong (in the Lord).
- Timothy– thanks that volunteer Dan is back with us, pray he continues to get stronger.
- Phil T– for Joy, who we previously prayed for to become pregnant, now pregnant with twins but one of them is very sick.
- Jim M– my son Jacob.
- Dan T– my brother-in-law is at my house, pray for opportunity to witness and get through to him- he keeps deflecting.
- Phil T– recovery for volunteer in 2nd service (Matt) who had shoulder surgery.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Frank– my Mom had heart failure and some cancer on her head- pray for healing. Also for all of us in jail.
- Sam– Today is my release date but I’m still here – must need to hear something tonight before I go. Also for Matt’s recovery from shoulder surgery.
- Brian– personally I’m blessed with food and shelter here, so I pray for the homeless and hungry, for the sick and suffering, for all of us to find God’s blessing and peace. Also pray for Bill’s court date Wednesday, for leniency and God’s will to be done, and that he knows Jesus.
- Mike– for Cheryl and Annie to have strength and safety until I get home.
- Sam #2– my buddy Mike going through a lot of turmoil, I want to help him as much as I can. And for my court date, that I’d be released on unsecured bail tomorrow.
- Ryan S– for motivation to get more physically fit.
- Rick C– for son Kyle to finally be rid of kidney stones and to put some priority to his spiritual wellbeing.
- Scott– for Prison Fellowship volunteering time each week to share God’s Word with us, and that we can remember what we learn to share it back on the blocks.
- Tim– my baby’s mom just lost newborn baby- for the family in grief.
- Vince– for myself, that the Good News would sink in , and for Armando’s rehab to kick in and be effective.
- Fernando– for my family having a hard time with me in here, and to get out soon.
- Jose G– for the salvation of all inmates and staff in the prison, and for each released inmate to engage with a Bible-teaching church and never come back in here.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- For Chaplains Rhonda, Heinrich and Jack.
- Continued prayer for Heinrich’s family in South Africa mourning the loss of his sister.
- For all the volunteers and supporters of this ministry.
- For everyone at the prison- inmates, staff, and their families.
- For the Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations across Chester County ministering to recently released men and women.
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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