One-to-one counseling brings some surprising outcomes - who knows who is listening?
Dear Friend,
Thanks for your prayers for my health. I had a second biopsy of the mass in my spleen. It showed no evidence of cancer. But unless they remove the spleen and do a pathology of it, they cannot explain the origin of this fibrous tissue. I have chosen to leave it alone. I also am still waiting for ligaments in my thumb to heal so I can lead worship with guitar in the OBE services.
About a third of the inmates that OBE serves have either been released or transferred to other institutions in the last several months. We pray that God will richly bless them and that they will be salt and light at home or in
another institution. Please pray that God expands our ministry to meet the needs of other inmates.
I have counseled a deaf inmate for the past four months. It took me a
few weeks to recognize that as I mentored this inmate, I was sharing the gospel with the interpreters. I rejoice that this deaf inmate has grown in the Lord. He is becoming a more obedient apprentice of Christ, even though his obedience is costly. The interpreters have asked me questions after the session that shows they are interested in the gospel and its
application.
This deaf inmate will be transferred to the minimum-security prison in Monroe. There, he will take classes in drug and alcohol dependence and strive to complete his GED degree. His program will target students for whom English is a second language. The regular vocabulary used in standard GED instruction is too advanced for him. Please pray that God will make a way so that I might continue to mentor him even though he will be moved to another prison.
Thanks for your continuing support of this ministry that makes its success possible.
D. W. ‘Rip’ Van Winkle