One of the great joys of my work is hearing from people who are writing to share about the remarkable changes happening in their lives through Prison Fellowship’s work. It never fails that the Lord brings one of these letters to me at just the right time. Tomorrow I’m turning 58. I’m considering it a special birthday gift from the Father that, right now, I’m looking at not just one but several letters from people celebrating their own birth into a new life! I hope these testimonies of the Lord’s faithfulness encourage you as much as they did me!
On December 14, our 34th class of women graduated from the Prison Fellowship Academy at the Minnesota Correctional Facility–Shakopee. Here are just a few of the responses we heard when they were asked how their lives have been changed by this year-long, biblically based life transformation program (names of Shakopee graduates have been changed for privacy).
This is the most confident I have been throughout my life, and I’m confident I will do good. Getting closer to God, being a part of a sisterhood, community, and learning tools to help when I get out. Learning about boundaries and managing my emotions and assertive communication. What changed most was taking responsibility for my part in my crime and overcoming my quilt and shame. I loved building health relationships with women who have been through some of the same stuff as me.
—Cheryl
I feel empathy and goodness in my soul again. I feel love again. … I found healing for my brokenness and low self-worth. My biggest change was recognizing my anger and how unmanaged anger was detrimental to so many others. I no longer stuff my emotions … I have reclaimed my voice and learned how to create and protect my boundaries. It was a great bonding experience where I’ve shared the most personal things about myself and have felt the safest EVER in this prison, and I’ve taken every class and workshop that has been offered for over 20 years.
—Kimberly
I am able to affirm other people now and have better conflict resolution skills. There is less anger in me, and I’ve changed my thinking. I value the core values, can recognize healthy vs. unhealthy people, and I am experiencing restoration in my family. I have walked out these doors having made so many valuable internal and external changes. My life feels worth it, and I have hope and my fire is lit. Thank you, Prison Fellowship Academy!
—Monica
We’ve also been inundated with thank-you letters from people who have received one of the more than 126,000 Inside Journal Life Recovery Bibles sent out just last year because of your ongoing support. The Word of God is reaching into prisons across the United States, as these recent messages show.
Recently I received a Life Recovery Bible, and I must say, reading and studying it is pure joy. I have never understood the Bible as clearly as I do with this version. May God bless you always!
—Keith, Ohio
I would like to thank you so much for the Life Recovery Bible you sent me and for the Life Recovery workbook. Both of these are greatly appreciated! This is truly one of the best Bibles I have read! As I am a recovering alcoholic, this helps me so much. Once again, thank you for everything, it is a giant thing you all are doing! It has been a great benefit to help me with my addiction and my continuing recovery. Please keep me in your prayers and may God bless you!
—Keith, Virginia
I want to thank you for sending me a copy of the Life Recovery Bible. It’s exactly what I needed in my life. I’m embarking on a new journey in my life. I realize I have an addiction and accepting this is the first step to an alcohol-free life. With this Bible and my Lord and Savior, I will become the man God intended me to be. So, I thank you greatly and I appreciate you for this Life Recovery Bible. God bless.
—Jeffery, Texas
Thank you so much, I love it! The first day I got my Life Recovery Bible I bet I read it for eight hours. It means so much to me, God knows I need all the help I can get. It has been a great blessing. I promise to read and study it every day. Thank you!
—Tommy, Tennessee
Greetings from Las Vegas! I want to let you know that I have an Inside Journal Life Recovery Bible. It was free from the chaplain here, but it is my most valuable possession. I can truly say that I read from it and gain insight and truth from its living words each and every day.
—Marlee, Nevada
Praise Jesus for these testimonies of His goodness! Through your faithful prayers and financial support
, you are serving as the hands and feet of Jesus to people living in prison. We simply could not do the work the Lord has given us without each one of you who have come alongside us as co-laborers. Our deepest gratitude and blessings to you from all of us at Prison Fellowship!
Praising Him,
JAMES J. ACKERMAN President and Chief Executive Officer
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Prison Fellowship P.O. Box 1550, Merrifield, VA, 22116-1550 US
