It is more blessed to
give than to receive.
Acts 20:35
This prison houses some of the most kindhearted, caring and decent men I have ever encountered...
give than to receive.
Acts 20:35
This prison houses some of the most kindhearted, caring and decent men I have ever encountered...
This is not an overstatement. During my almost twenty years here, I've seen firsthand how Jesus Christ changes lives, and how He takes repentant criminals and turns them into men of compassion. Christ takes men who've lived selfish lives and then helps each one to become a person who genuinely cares for the welfare of others.
One example that this is true can be seen when the church that's behind these walls takes a collection for a local ministry who's presently overseeing and managing an orphanage in the African nation of Zambia. Throughout the year an inmate, if he so desires, can give a portion of his own funds from his commissary account, and earmark it for "Hope House."
This money - it may be fifty cents, a dollar or more - will then get set aside and, at the end of each summer, my chaplain makes out the necessary paperwork to have two hundred dollars deducted from our church's general account. The facility's business office then issues a check for $200 which is sent to Hope Ministries in the town of Kenoza Lake, where it gets placed into the ministry's fund to help the orphanage.
These men, including myself, get great satisfaction by being a part of this. It's a good feeling to help several hundred needy children with funds for food, clothing and school supplies. Most of these kids have lost both their parents to the AIDS virus, which has decimated many towns and villages throughout the African continent.
Also, concerning the Hope House orphanage, on November 28, 2006, the local newspaper, the SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT (www.sc-democrat.com) published a lengthy article about the orphanage and the ministry who runs it. The article was titled "Giving Hope to Zambian Children" by reporter Ted Waddell.
I'm thankful for the God-given opportunity the little prison church I belong to has in being able to assist these children. In addition, throughout the year some of the men will also send their own small donations to Hope House apart from our church, and this is fine too.
Although we're convicted felons, we care about these kids. We love giving to those less fortunate than ourselves.
D.B.
Note: For verification that what I have written is true, contact:
Barbara Hust
Hope Ministries, Inc.
PO Box 75
Kenoza Lake, NY 12750-0075
(845)482-5300
One example that this is true can be seen when the church that's behind these walls takes a collection for a local ministry who's presently overseeing and managing an orphanage in the African nation of Zambia. Throughout the year an inmate, if he so desires, can give a portion of his own funds from his commissary account, and earmark it for "Hope House."
This money - it may be fifty cents, a dollar or more - will then get set aside and, at the end of each summer, my chaplain makes out the necessary paperwork to have two hundred dollars deducted from our church's general account. The facility's business office then issues a check for $200 which is sent to Hope Ministries in the town of Kenoza Lake, where it gets placed into the ministry's fund to help the orphanage.
These men, including myself, get great satisfaction by being a part of this. It's a good feeling to help several hundred needy children with funds for food, clothing and school supplies. Most of these kids have lost both their parents to the AIDS virus, which has decimated many towns and villages throughout the African continent.
Also, concerning the Hope House orphanage, on November 28, 2006, the local newspaper, the SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT (www.sc-democrat.com) published a lengthy article about the orphanage and the ministry who runs it. The article was titled "Giving Hope to Zambian Children" by reporter Ted Waddell.
I'm thankful for the God-given opportunity the little prison church I belong to has in being able to assist these children. In addition, throughout the year some of the men will also send their own small donations to Hope House apart from our church, and this is fine too.
Although we're convicted felons, we care about these kids. We love giving to those less fortunate than ourselves.
D.B.
Note: For verification that what I have written is true, contact:
Barbara Hust
Hope Ministries, Inc.
PO Box 75
Kenoza Lake, NY 12750-0075
(845)482-5300
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