By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35 (NIV)

 

 

 

If you know of someone in prison who needs a word of encouragement or you believe would be interested in receiving our materials or becoming one of our pen pals, please e-mail their name, ID number, facility, and mailing address, along with your name to us at info@acupofwaterministries.org and we will contact them directly.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Many of our pen pals have come to know Jesus after becoming incarcerated through the efforts of other ministries.  However, unlike those of us in the free world, they do not have access to that special Sunday school teacher or pastor who through weekly love and care helped us to grow in our walk with the Lord.  Through our pen pal letters and encouraging materials we are giving the inmates a small part of what we ourselves have been given in the hope that they will grow in their walk with the Lord and upon their release get involved with a good Bible teaching body of believers.  As believers, we know that Jesus is the answer for the world today, but unless we show them Jesus and his great love for them, how will they ever really know what a difference having a relationship with Jesus can make in their lives? 

Below is a letter that we received from one of our pen pals telling us just how important our letters are to him and sometimes how perfect the timing of its arrival can be.  I have been amazed so many times by God’s perfect timing since this ministry began.  Many times I’ve thought my letter was running late, but found out later that it was just in time…

Jerome writes, “Your letter came Right on Time! God is Good! Hello Phyllis, I’m very glad to hear from you!  I thought something had to be wrong for me not to hear from you in such a long time, but I was praying for you!

About 20 minutes prior to my getting your letter, I got a one year set-off from the parole board, which means I don’t get out this year but they will decide again next year if I should get out. I was very, very upset. I hadn’t heard from my wife in a week, and the temperature in the dorm I live in has been 115 to 118 degrees for about two weeks. I was doing what I was supposed to do in here. I wasn’t getting into any trouble. I was obeying the rules. Still the parole board elected to set me off another year. I was mad at everything and everyone. I truly wanted to hurt someone exactly like I was hurting. I felt like God had just let me down. Then they came back with your letter along with the “Encouraging Hope” editions! At first I didn’t want to read your letter to me, but something inside wanted me to because I missed your mail and I knew something had to be wrong for you to take so long to write me because I really do look forward to your letters and the different editions! Anyway, I read your letter and then I looked at “Encouraging Hope” edition #2. Wow!  That just blew me away! The title, ‘Don’t Lose Hope” that spoke to me. The Hard Part and the Words to Remember! They applied directly to me—that edition saved me from doing something silly which would have caused me long-term consequences which wouldn’t have met my needs over time and would have caused me to have to stay here even longer. 

Now if the parole board causes me to stay that’s the parole board, but Jerome won’t cause himself more problems. God working through you saved me from getting into a bad situation because I was truly upset.  After reading the different editions, I got my Bible out and started reading the book of Job because I respect Job.  He was a strong Man! I would read a little, cry a lot because I know I don’t belong here but the important thing is I know God hasn’t forsaken me and He still loves me.  Now granted just knowing I must face another year in here I still feel depressed from time to time, but I’m still going to praise and thank God and I want Him to get the glory from my life. I thank God that He put such a godly sister in my life.  Again, thank you!”

 By recommending an inmate to us, you too may help make a difference in someone’s life and the decision they make.  If you would like to read some more comments that we have received through our pen pal letters from other prison inmates about how much they appreciate receiving letters and each edition of our “Encouraging Hope™” be sure to read the Comments We’ve Received From Some of our Pen Pals under the Become A Volunteer section of this website.