I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the pen-pal. Over the past eight months we have been building a friendship on both a spiritual and a physical level. What a blessing!
On Friday the 21st of December, 2019, I received my first Christmas card in 23 years after my parents past away in a car accident. I was only in for 7 yrs of my double life sentence and was unable to attend the funeral because I did not have the money nor family support to provide it. That night when all was quiet, I put my head under my blankets and cried. What a release it brought.
My pen-pal (___) and her husband (___'s) gesture brought back memories of my parents. It helped me realize what Christmas stands for. Christmas is about people joining in a family - the Lord's Family. It isn't about gifts under a tree or dinner at Nana's. It is a card to a prisoner like me, a greeting and/or gesture to a homeless person, giving a gift so a child might have a Christmas that otherwise would not. It's a time for others, not ourselves. It's a time for giving and sharing in a manner in which Jesus gave us an example. Their card reminded me of that example and that is why I am thankful.
I would also like to share that because it took a few months for me to be assigned to my pen-pal (___), I thought no-one wanted to write me because of my charges. The night I received their first letter, I had made a rope and was just minutes from hanging myself. I sat their waiting for the CO (Correctional Officer) to finish with mail-call and leave the pod. Then suddenly the CO stopped at my door. As I read the letter from them, I could hear the Holy Spirit say: "You see, there is someone that cares about you." After that I could not go through with it and was able to dispose of the rope that night during rec and the next day we went on lock down for shakedown.
I just wanted to thank you and all the volunteers of RBTF Ministry for touching so many lives and moreover, saving my life. God Bless You All!- Mike C.
I am incarcerated in Virginia where I am an active member of the church, and Christian Community. It was during a Sunday service almost a year ago that “Reaching Beyond The Fence” Correspondence Ministry applications were being passed around. Of course, at first, I was reluctant, disinterested to say the least. Through further encouragement (by the Holy Spirit), I submitted an application. Not much after that I received my first letter from my pen pal (___). A strong woman of God, devoted wife, and a caring and loving mother. We bonded instantly. Over the past months along with sharing God's word with one another we have shared some of our life experiences as well. Our individual testimonies have had a way of ministering to both of our hearts. Anyway, back to the story. Throughout our correspondence we have had both responded to each other persons letter in a timely fashion. I work here at the prison as a sheet metal/HVAC teacher's aide. Recently the work and school schedule has changed consequently affecting my entire routine. As I tried to adjust to the new schedule, before I knew it five weeks had went by. The whole while I have not forgotten about my sister, and my friend, but just hadn't found the time. Little did I know my friend was worried sick. At the point where she ended up calling here to this prison, speaking to some people until someone assured her that I was still in general population so I must be okay. Let me be clear about something. I have been incarcerated almost 21 years spreaded over eight different institutions. During that time span I have only had one other person who has called a place that I was at out of sheer love and concern when a certain amount of time passed without me touching base with them. Wow... The actions of (my pen pal), was a demonstration of God's love, and it really touched my spirit. Thank God for (my pen pal) through this ministry. Thank you for allowing me to share this testimony. - Stacy S.
My pen pal and I could not be more different. I am a liberal, transgender, highly outgoing person. (My pen pal) on the other hand is quite conservative traditional and much more and introvert. However, our consistent communication is respectful, understanding and encouraging. I first met (my pen pal) shortly after my mother died, and he was amazingly supportive to an inmate he knew almost nothing about. Our communications are quite humorous at times as we share almost no common experiences, yet he strives to understand my liberal views and transgender background. I’m pretty sure he’ll just like to shake me sometimes. Still I have never detected one ounce of judgment in him directed towards me. Quite the opposite is true as my pen pal is actually researched issues that he has little or no first-hand knowledge of, simply to be able to correspond with me on topics that affect my daily life. When he feels I am wrong he lets me know it in a way that is neither critical or condescending. {I do the same☺️} (my pen pal), the having many major events going on in his personal life over the past several months, constantly makes time to send me emails as he has committed. Obviously, this has been such a positive experience for me and him, as part of the Reaching Beyond The Fence Ministry, is such a blessing. I would encourage anyone who believes in Matthew 25 36, 39 - 40 and or that prisons should be a place Rehabilitation, not simply punishment, to volunteer to be a pen pal. Just maybe it will be as much of a blessing to you as to the inmate whom you get to correspond. - Kelly B.
It is an amazing feeling when God blesses me with some way to be able to tell someone who gets it! I need prayer for something and be able to ask (my pen pal) for it and I know that she is actively praying for me and my situation. I have had Christian pen pals and the past and they just beat me up with scripture. I do love to talk about God but my pen pal also talks about everyday struggles and blessings. I love that. example they do not read; In the scripture God said this, you must… and that’s it. Her emails are, Well today I..., and I thank her so much for that. - Katie O.
I don't have a positive testimony yet, because I have not received a letter from my pen pal. I see in your letter you said one was assigned to me. So, if you could recheck to make sure one was assigned it would be very nice. I thank you for your time and effort and I'm sure this ministry is a blessing to all you've helped. I am grateful to be a part of your ministry and I would be so grateful to receive words of encouragement through letters, I believe we’ll be coming soon. I am excited to hear from any pen pal in Jesus name. Letters are a very nice way to touch someone’s life, especially those who are having a bad day or going through tough times such as us in prison. I am praying for you, your ministry and all the volunteers to be used by God in a mighty way. Thank you for checking up on me with you update survey, it has made my day. Please tell my pen pal I’ll be awaiting their first letter in Jesus name. - Robert W.
I am and inmate in Tennessee I've been doing time since 1992 off and on until 1990 when I took someone's life. I know the typical story, done what I wanted when I wanted to. I did not listen to God or Jesus when they were trying their best to guide me back to the right path. They always intended me to walk. I thought I was bulletproof and we get away from any type of trouble, but God finally had enough and said I'll put you in a place where I can protect you regain your focus and bring you back to me. I am doing my very best to walk the walk and talk God’s talk and I thank Him for this ministry. Through it I have spiritual support along with the opportunity to make a new friend (my pen pal).- Timothy F.
I truly thank God for Reaching Beyond The Fence Ministry. My pen pal and I write every month. (My pen pal) is an awesome man of God. His letters really keep my spirits lifted up. I also enjoy sharing with him my Christian walk with God and whenever I’m going through something I can write and tell him about it. He will give me encouraging words and scriptures to read. He also keeps me lifted up in prayer. Getting mail is so important when you are in a place like this. I pray that God will continue to bless Reaching Beyond The Fence Ministry for it has been a true blessing to me.- Tynekia R.
I am truly thankful for Reaching Beyond The Fence Correspondence Ministry because it keeps me connected with the outside world. (My pen pal) is a blessing in my life. We correspond through the J-Pay email system and have developed a wonderful friendship. Dealing with loneliness on a regular basis, (my pen pal) is a ray of sunshine in my life. I thank God for the Reaching Beyond The Fence Correspondence Ministry and the strength to live behind these bars.- Trina B.
I am a 34 year old male who is serving a fifteen year sentence at CCI. My family and friends no longer know me. I guess out of sight out of mind when you end up in this place. Some days are harder than others as I am sure you know all about. I’ve never been around so many people and felt so alone in my life as I do now in this place. I have been in desperate need of a pen pal. The truth is, I had given up on trying to find one. I have written at least 20 different pen pal sites and companies, with no success. That was just money wasted I guess. Well, they say it’s Darkness just before the light at the end of the tunnel. Well, Jim it must be true, because you and your ministry are my light, as well as your volunteers. I thank you for your time in locating me someone who cares for me as a person and not just someone who committed a crime. I truly hope your ministry will continue to grow and is blessed as your volunteers share God’s love with those of us forgotten on the inside. For the first time in nine years I feel accepted and loved by someone I did not know until six months ago. I feel like a human again instead of just a number sitting in a prison.- Vincent H.
Thanks so much for your assistance in finding me a pen pal. When I read your application on how you were incarcerated I thought I was reading my own letter and story. I have been in here for 20 years feeling abandon by family and friends really all alone. I just now began to receive letters of God’s love and support from my pen pal. What a life changing experience. God is making changes in my life and all it took was to trust in Him and let His will be done in my life. I pray one day to come meet you, some of your volunteers, and most of all (my pen pal) all face to face. I have a ministry I am beginning to establish also. I would like to get people, in Jesus name, to let God’s will be done in their lives as we all share God’s love with others. I have learned that I have to be still and know that He is God, my foundation through Jesus Christ. I really want to thank you for listening to God and allowing Him to use you to start this ministry, through which I now feel His acceptance and love through someone I never know prior to becoming part of your ministry. I also want to thank all your volunteers for allowing God to use them as well. Lastly, I would like to encourage anyone thinking about getting involved to listen to God and thank you for touching those of us on the inside. - Billy H.
I wish to send my thanks to you for the work you are doing in His name, as well as the volunteers of your ministry. My prayers that God Blesses your work daily, weekly, monthly, & yearly. You inspire inmates by showing God can and will use us in spite of our past. Your volunteers not only encourage inmates with their letters, but being us closer to God through the love they share with us.
I wish to thank you personally, as I know this kind of ministry works, as I had two. One was a couple from your state of VA (a nice Baptist couple who went to be with our Heavenly Father), who's letters I still hold dear. I had been writing them since 2008, so it works. It has encouraged me to stay infraction free. The other was an older widow that started writing me in 2012. She helped me get through the lost of my pen pal couple in 2014. Unfortunately, she also went on to be with our Heavenly Father last year (2016). Then I heard about your ministry through a Christian newsletter I receive, what an answered prayer. Please convey my thanks to your current volunteers and anyone who volunteers in the future for their time and effort they put into reaching inmates like myself. Your ministry is touching the lives of inmates who will benefit by having a pen pal to strengthen their faith while reestablishing our trust in society.
One of my best friends came by just such a volunteer in 2000. His pen pal went on to be with our Heavenly Father last month (May 2017). I gave he your ministries information in hopes he can find another pen pal to continue to encourage him through his last 10 years.
I know I do not need to tell you how much inmates starve for the acceptance, friendship, and Spiritual Guidance it takes to make & meet another person that gives you hope. I understand that you don’t choose the volunteers in which we are assigned. But I know God is in it based on the connection (my pen pal) and I have. In the last 30 years of incarceration I would never thought that I could have such a connection with someone I did not know prior to that first letter from him. Nor would I have thought that a pen pal could have helped my turn my life around. I had 150 institutional infractions in the first 21 and I have only had one in the past 9 years. Thank you and your volunteers once again for the time each of you invest in the lives of the forgotten on the inside of prisons cross the nation. May God continue to bless you all! - Chris V.
I have not had any contact with the outside world through letters, phone calls, or even a visit in 12 years. My mother and my father have both died since me coming in here and being an only child it leaves me with no one. This ministry has allowed me to feel validated once again. Just to know someone cares about you and is willing to write you and be a friend. Thanks to my pen pal, the organization minister and all the other volunteers for not giving up on all of us who are normally forgotten. - Michael H.
Happy St. Patrick's Day my friend! "You" are someone special to many men & women! As it's rare to find someone who can touch so many incarcerated lives in such wonderful ways! Thank you for you caring & thoughtfulness in the way of allowing me another chance at having a pen pal after being deceptive on my paperwork. I am grateful to have known someone as kind & caring as you! Your outreach is a bright spot in a very dark place, Prison! I appreciate you and you ministry more than you know for not giving up on me or casting me out. "KINDNESS IS BOUNDLESS". - King G.
When Reaching Beyond The Fence was first introduced to me I was in a bad way. I put the pamphlet on my TV where it stayed for two weeks. Then one day during count time I picked it up, and started reading it. I saw Jim's name, and I got curious the more I read his story. I was caught at a cross-roads here, because I don't like phony people. I'm striving to be what God wants me to be. When your leadership isn't correct then it's a problem for me. I want to know that what's coming out of your month is also in your heart, and your walk. It's not like that in some cases here. It makes me angry sometimes that I feel like walking away, but I know that I've come to far. What God has for me, it is for me. So I said let me give this a tray. It can't hurt! At first I thought I wouldn't get an answer. I prayed for someone that I could talk to outside of the prison circle here. God answered my prayer, and I can't thank Him enough. Now I look forward to hearing from my pen pal. I feel I'm laughing with them at times, and I know they have a good heart, because they didn't or don't have to write, but they do. I thank you all for caring enough about us on the inside to write us. - Brian R.