WRITING TO PRISONERS

Have you ever thought about visiting persecuted Christians imprisoned for their faith in Christ? Well, you can. You can visit them through a letter and it can cost as little as 84 cents. The darkness of a prison cell can be transformed by the words of scripture on a beautiful card. Why don't you pick up the basin and a towel and fellowship with one of the least of these?
Remember those who are in bonds and suffering, knowing you are in the same body. Hebrews 13:3.

There are four types of letters we have been writing in VOICE Ministry New England.

E-mail Alerts:
We go to E-mail alert at www.prisoneralert.com each month where the story of a current Christian who is incarcerated for his/her faith is introduced to you. This site allows you to go through many scriptures and encouraging words and choose the ones you want in your letter. These are translated into the prisoner’s language. The postage is usually 84 cents. Your letter and their address are printed out for you.
You will not likely receive a letter back as they are not allowed to send letters and the cost of a stamp is too expensive for them, but it has been shown that letters have often resulted in better treatment for them.


Kanater Prison:
We became acquainted with Father Monir, an Anglican Priest, through Shirley Davis in True Freedom Outreach Ministry. She recently returned from a visit to the prison in Egypt. Fr. Monir is an amazing man with a heart big enough to hold the world. He spends his time visiting the prisoners in 2 prisons near Cairo. One is Kanater Men’s Prison, which has about 60 Christian inmates, who are English speaking, and housed in the section for foreign inmates. Some are there as a direct result of their conversion from Islam to Christianity, and there is now a strong Christian fellowship which holds Bible studies and prayer meetings. I have split them into 3 groups of prisoners who need 3 different kinds of encouragement. Many have been imprisoned for 15-20 years and as they live out their faith daily they are effective witnesses for Jesus, and prison life there has improved in ways noticeable to both inmates and guards. Romans 8:28.
His name is lifted high by many in this prison in Egypt, the Intellectual Capital of Islam. ALL Glory goes to the name of Jesus for his mysterious works.
Tried and True Christians: The first group I have identified through my own letter writing consists of the tried and true Christians. They are active in the fellowship and in ministering in various ways inside the prison. Many of them are studying to be involved in a ministry after their release - often it will be “underground” ministry. There will be no power point presentations. They don’t have a microphone, nor would it do them any good. They greatly appreciate Christians who write to encourage them, and Bible Studies done together via the letters are a “gift.” They will pray fervently for you......while they are in a cell. You will immediately become family, and YOU will grow and be challenged as you read of their great faith and what Jesus means to them.

Nominal Christians: The second group is of what we would call “nominal” Christians. We see others like them in our churches - they are actually in prisons as well! These brothers need friendship desperately. They need to build up a relationship where they will be discipled so they can grow in the Lord. They will need this in order to face a world that many of them left when they were incarcerated in their early 20's. Some have lost their wives and children through divorce while in prison. They will listen if enough time is invested in them to build a warm friendship. God will use you.

Open Muslims: The third group is made up of Muslims who are open to correspondence due to loneliness. I think those of you who choose a Muslim person to write to are what I call “servant-soldiers.” We know we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood. But we also know our Lord and Savior shed His precious blood for their salvation. In time, and with the Lord’s guidance,  there will be a harvest.

Things to Avoid!
- Tell them why you are writing. I think in all cases this is to encourage them in their hardship. This will also avoid any of their misconceptions that you are rich and can send them gifts. This only happens on occasion and should not be a deterrent.
- Avoid sending them money. If you do want to send them any, please go through Shirley Davis atTrue Freedom Outreach as she handles sending the money to be exchanged to Egyptian currency, through her non-profit ministry (www.imofinc.org).
- Avoid any possible suggestions that you are anything but a friend/sister/brother. These men are vulnerable and don’t need to believe there is any romantic intention. Remember, 20 years is a long time and many have no family left. An honest answer and/or explanation will suffice in stopping this if it comes up.
- Avoid any discussion on politics or the war in Iraq with those of the Islamic faith.
- Avoid questions about the Koran. You are a Christian and you know the Truth, which you can share as the Spirit leads...and He will...

Things to Do!
- Do involve children in coloring pictures.
- Do include your picture if you would like to.
- Do fill your letters with news about your everyday things as well as scriptures.

This has been such a growing experience for all of us at VOICE Ministry. We have become very invested in the lives of those in Kanater. For a list of prisoners please e-mail me at jonmik@comcast.net.

This is your chance, to do warfare against Islam and share the gospel with a Muslim; to disciple a “captive” audience into spiritual maturity; to share and learn with brothers who did not count their freedom important enough to deny Him.