Is God is jail? Can He work in prisons? Is God changing lives? Can He transform anyone who is struggling? We think so. – I want you to be encouraged by a letter that we just received. Please read every word of this (transcribed) hand-written “prison epistle”. Letters written from jail are unique. This one came to me in blue ink from one of Oregon’s medium security prisons. Ray (his real name is withheld) wrote this to me from his cell. He’s doing 8+ years for armed robbery and assault. I want to share the credit for all that God is doing in Ray’s life. First, only God can change a life. We thank and honor God. Second, this man, Ray, grew up without a dad. – His mom has been praying for him. We thank the mom’s who pray. I first met Ray through his mother. I want to thank our entire Hope International Church Outreach Team. They are faithful servants of God in our diverse community. Several of us were together when I was introduced to Ray, via his mom. Very briefly, the set up to this letter is as follows: A year or so ago, we met Ray’s mom on a routine outreach in the neighborhood of our church. Ray’s mom mentioned that she had a son “on the inside”. I told her that if she shared his address with me that I would write to him in prison. We have been pen-pals ever since. Ray started out cool, almost cold toward me and God. Now, as you will read, his life is changing fast. Please know that if God can change Ray that He can change your life as well.
“Hello George,
First, I must fill you in on things. I have walked in darkness since I was 17 years old. Over the years I have constantly used terms to express my life such as ‘Corruption, Forsaken, Insane, Tormented, Lunatic, Darkness, Tragedy… ‘ I wrote music then and those were the terms I used. Roughly 2 years ago I was in Oregon State Correctional Institution, Salem. I TRIED to put my faith in Christ, but I did not choose to trust Christ completely. Nor did I study (the Bible) or try to understand Him more, on a deeper level. I didn’t study even though He is The Teacher. I didn’t trust Him, even though He is The Savior. Ultimately, my faith failed.
One day I got a letter from you, and I said “You know what? I’m going to give God another shot.” I had thrown away all the flicks of sexual photos I had. I tried to give it another go. But I still wasn’t committing (to God). Shortly after your last letter, I contacted Religious Services and asked for a Bible. I began to read daily and stated to do the CLI Prison Alliance Bible Study Course that you sent me. Since then, I have completed two lessons and through them (https://cli.world/) plus for more through Gospel Echoes. I have completed reading the New Testament and the first three books of the Old Testament. I’ve read The Man in the Mirror by Tom Morley; The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. That one had a huge impact on my faith. I had a nagging sense of apprehension before, and that book resolved it and reinforced my faith. I read Speaking the Truth in Love by Ruth Koch. Before I read it, I would respond the Voices with insults and aggressive name calling. I was content with that. Now I speak calmly and avoid curse words or angry remarks. Now the atmosphere in my head is so different. It feels so good to think the way that Christ taught us. To try to live a life of faith, every day… That one book has changed me so much.
The reason I wanted to write is to tell you, Thank-You. You have brought Christ into my life. Now, everyday I wake up to a new reality. Only a Believer could understand how it feels to have a personal relationship with Christ.
On July 1, 2022, I was baptized in the chapel, here in the Correctional Institution. I contacted the Chaplain and told him that it’s only by God’s grace that I am alive. I give priority in all things. I put Him before even myself. I was finally ready to take that step (be baptized) and dedicate my eternity to fellowship with God. I realized that I had no root system in my life. That is part of why I had failed spiritually, before. Now I study 2-3 hours a day some days. I don’t have a TV, so, in my cell, I read the Bible, Scripture based books and Bible Study materials. Jesus spoke of believers who accepted the Word of God and produced spiritual fruit – some 30, some 60 and some 100-fold. I prayed to God that I would grow in spirit 100-fold. I prayed that my faith in Jesus would consume my life. I struggle with voices that I now believe are demons and these demons led me to a dark place. And now, as cliché as it may seem, Christ is the one leading me out.
I’ve decided to pursue higher education now. My desire is to get a bachelor’s degree in Christian counseling. I’ve had two people ask me to pray for them this week. And it got me thinking, maybe I can learn to handle those situations better.
Well, once again, Thank You! I hope that you are well and that you continue to lead others to Christ. All the angels rejoice when a single sinner is saved.
God Bless you!
Sincerely, Ray“
Letter received July 18, 2022, from Rey (not his real name) who is in an Oregon Correctional Institute. Ray is about 28 years old. Please contact me if you want to correspond with Ray or send him life changing and educational books…!