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| Letter 5-2 |
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Wow, the most difficult thing is trying to figure out what to post from his letters.
I was so overjoyed by this hefty letter after the long silence. He got stores from a friend of ours so he now has paper and stamps.
5-2 It has been a busy day. I got a visitation from "Pastor". He was joking about how long my hair is now and said I was going to look like Jesus. Don't worry, it's not that long. Then we got to talking about my case. He said that he talked to the guys in Jefferson Parish and they told him that St Bernard Parish does whatever they want. We had a good time talking. He said he left me a money order for "stores" so I will get to play catch up with the ones who have given me things.
Then my tooth cracked today. The bottom left in the back, cracked down the middle down to the root. It's a dull constant pain right now and I don't know what to do when it gets unbearable. They will not give me anything. There are guys in here crying their tooth hurts so bad with the same thing. Due to malnutrition you think? You know how much they give us and it has absolutely no nutritional content to it. It's the only thing it could be with so many having the same thing and having been in here around the same or longer than me. Well, at least it has taken my mind off my constant migraines. (Scott is a Vet with a head injury)
I talked to the group about prayer and how we need to take the time for Glorifying God in our prayer time. Then there are "right now" prayers. When they talk to the guys in the tier and if someone talks about a need, pray for them right then and there. We approach the guys and tell them that we are going to get together with our prayer partners to pray and we ask them if there is anything that we could pray about for them. Then invite them to group or Prayer Call. Then I gave them their "cell" work which was to memorize the fruits of the Spirit and to pray Psalms 51.
I fell asleep around 1am and woke up to the guards racking the bars at 3:30am to pass out mail. What a piece of work they are. It's getting bad now because everyone is worked up.
"Stores" day is usually Sat. morning but they decide to do it now. (well I guess it is Sat morning) Once again someones stores were taken but this time the Guards threatened to take every-ones stores and not give them out for a month. Well, let me tell you these guys went wild! Lockdown! Threats were flying! The guys from our study group started trying to calm the people close to them down. Well we all did. We had to do what we could to get it under control before the bars opened in the morning. After just having done the fruits of the spirit, it was quite a test for them.
I forgot to tell you about Prayer Call. Two guys came in and started to disrupt it by coming in acting like bullies and trying to intimidate a few of our group. I squelched them quick and told them to take a seat. I let them know that it was not ok to come into our prayer time like that, (this is where I would get hurt if God weren't protecting me), to my surprise they sat down like scolded school boys. I told them to share with the group what they needed God to do in their lives. They totally opened up! They were embarrassed I guess because after prayer call they both ran to their cell and stayed there until the lockdown happened. (which means they did not even come out for stores) Shortly after PC had ended I went to their cells and shook their hands and thanked them for coming, for their honesty and invited them to come back.
5-3 I think I got about an hours sleep before the bars opened. Then after our "cup" of food I slept until lunch- another "cup". Then the guys showed up wanting to have PC. We prayed about everything going on in here and it really got deep. Back in my cell for some reading and then we had a Bible study. After last night everyone seems to be quiet. But our second Bible study when we started singing and Praising God it was like nothing could stop us. We do everything as a team. If someone is down, everyone brings him up. If someone is in trouble, they come get me and stand behind me. That one is kind of funny! If someone has a problem, it is like second nature for all of us to pray over them. I think I told you that we end every study with the "Go God!"
Before our dinner "cup" - one of the problem children came in to my cell and asked if I could council him in the ways of God because his way wasn't working. We talked for a while about what was going on in his life and worked out a plan for him to get started on. I started him in James and we will get together again. He came to PC, in fact we had several new guys the last few nights. People are sharing God with each other. Men are asking Christ in their lives and some are re-dedication their lives. The guys are making me proud. They are practicing the "pray now" action. This does two things for them 1. they are doing God's will by sharing the Word and living the Word. 2. they make themselves accountable to the tier. In fact one of the side affect of all this is that the guys are working on their relationships with their wives and their kids. I would have never thought that I would be doing marriage counseling here but it is happening. That is not the amazing part. The amazing part of it is where these guys come from and what they had done in their lives. A lot of them consider themselves "throw aways". The people that wouldn't be accepted in places at all. But they are souls that God cares about and I tell them that.
Well, it's midnight and I have to pray up and get ready for service in the morning.
5-4 Well, we didn't have service this morning due to a couple guys trying to be funny with the guards so we ended up in lockdown until lunch. I have had visitors on and off all afternoon. I keep telling the guys that we have to obey the "ear to mouth ratio". Listen twice as much as we speak. It keeps them out of trouble and it makes them more of what God wants them to be. Sometimes as guys talk to me about their problems, I let them talk so long that usually their solution comes from themselves as they talk it out.
"This Guy" came to me just after lockdown and asked me to talk to one of the guys in the group who I guess spoke his mind about the childish stuff that goes on in here and directed it to the ones who got us locked down. Now "This Guy" is one who would have someone beat another down without even thinking twice for less before he got saved- it's amazing. Anyway so I went and talked the other one down reminding him of that ratio.
I sometimes sit there and think and laugh that it would be so easy for me to take some of the bullies in here down. But you know how that goes, once you start with one but in the end they will all be taking a swing at you. Besides, my fight is not against flesh and blood.
I just had another guy come in and beg something. He asked me all kinds of questions about my case and then told me that I was going home. I told him that I wouldn't take their deal. He asked me if they dropped it to a misdemeanor would I take it. I told him I wouldn't. He then told me that you didn't want me to take any deal because you wanted me to stay in here. He said that you had your own thing going on with someone else back home. So in other words the enemy snuk in and tried to speak fear into me. That guy just doesn't know what a real marriage is about.
They racked the bars early for evening lockdown so I stood in the day room where almost everyone can see me and prayed over the whole tier. It caught them off guard but they not only bowed their head but they joined in when I said the Lord's prayer. I believe that everyone wants to do what is right and occasionally they prove it.
I love my Man! |
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| Oh, wow guys... I'm sorry it's so long. |
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Don't apologize for the length....I am so at awe with how God is working in that place. How He is using Scott to do His work. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these letters and being able to see this. Of course...in angers me so that this heartless parish does NOTHING. I will continue to lift it up! Thank you again for posting these.
Much Love! |
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I love you Val !
I don't understand how they can get away with starving them like that. |
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| Just curious...but has anybody contacted the Governor of your state, just to see if something can be done...about the conditions, lack of food and the whole Bible mess? Just wondered if enough people complained...or brought it to the attention of elected officials....would it help? |
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| I have filed complaints with agencies but apparently the wrong ones. All I ever get is "sorry, can't help you" So I have no idea. I guess if we found the right place to do it it may make some changes but I don't know who that is. |
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| Ruth, no apology needed. What a letter! Keep them. Maybe someday he can write a book. The powers that are alive and well working in these guy's lives where Scott is...it amazes me. He is obviously making a difference. The visual of him standing in the day room praying and then having others throughout the tier following him in the Lord's Prayer...that sends chills through me. TGBTG!! Scott, we are proud of the work you are doing for our Lord. |
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and hearing the echo of the concrete building... *sigh* yup
chills!! |
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Wow, I wish I knew your husband. He'd be an awesome friend. He's amazing. I have tears in my eyes for him and about the guys. Wow.
This is not 'long' enough, girl! I want to hear more! It's like reading a great author's book, then being left hangin for the next book to come out!
Love and prayers to you both, and the guys! :) |
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Aw... I love that!! Cuz that is how I feel waiting for the next letter.
Oh and Dad... I do have them all saved. |
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WoW........ I have chills and tears, to see God at work behind those
jail cell walls! Like I said before, you would never read this in the local
paper. Love and prayers to you Ruth..God bless you Scott and Go God! |
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Deb |
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May 10, 2008 at 12:58pm |
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My heart just breaks to hear that they are not feeding him properly. In this day and age it makes you wonder how they can get away with stuff like that. You are right, you just need to find the right person to make things happen. I can't even begin to tell you who that might be. I will continue to pray. |
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| Ruth, you are a joy to my heart! |
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| ...and mine! Thank you for sharing Scott's letters........ (never apologize for length, please) |
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Thanks Deb.
and back atcha Dad!
and Mike! |
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| This gave me goosebumps!!!!! First, we're gonna start praying for food!!!!! God's giving spiritual food........and Scott needs physical food to keep going!!!!!! So, let's get the prayers going!!!!!! |
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In one of his other letters he said that he found out that the same company that does "stores" does the meals. They do that to make you purchase food with your store money. Most inmates families can't afford to keep sending in money orders because the cost of food is so outrageous. And they have stopped our pastor friends from getting in there for visits and store money so he has been without for about three months now.
*sigh* |
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| Oh and YES!! But I will also stand firm in his release. |
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Joey |
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May 10, 2008 at 3:09pm |
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Yes, stand firm. I'm praying!!! |
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| Thank you so much for sharing these letters. Our God is so awesome |
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stu |
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May 10, 2008 at 3:47pm |
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| Ruth that was worth waiting for, I pray Gods strength for Scott and the inmates! He is doing a wonderful work for Jesus! Love Stu. |
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That's my Man's job--- *sigh*
did I mention I love him? lol |
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| I stand in agreement with all the comments... Hey, I was gone this week and I notice a name change... I like it but, did I miss something??? Love you! |
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| luv u too lady! (sent you comment) |
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Thanks for sharing the letter and will keep you in my prayers. |
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| I kinda wish I would have stumbled upon this another time, just because, when you think things are going bad for you, there is always someone else doing worse. Glory be to God that Scott is being used in such a powerful way. I hate that he is being treated this way. I am still standing in agreement with you and your prayers. I cry for him, but cry also for the lives that are being transformed! This is amazing. Please keep them coming, and I don't care if it takes me all day to read, I want to hear it all! Your testimony has touched my heart, so as he works there and you work here, the Kingdom of God grows. You two make a great team! Blessings Ruth! |
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When all this is resolved I would very much like to meet Scott. I admire his faithfulness, his servanthood in what is undoubtedly a very difficult situation. God is being glorified while he is incarcerated; standing upon the truth he is testifiying, preaching and sharing The Truth!
God works all things together for good for those who are called according to His purpose and who love Him!
This is a season! This is not a permanent thing. God is doing a work in you, in Scott, in the men that he comes in contact with and ultimately a work will be done in this particular prison system. Once this season is over a new season will begin and Scott will be ministering The Word, The Truth to many more people!
Praise God! I speak the peace, the strength, the wisdom, understanding, discernment of God into Scott and you right now! I give charge to the angles of God to stand watch and to protect Scott, you and your family now. I plead the blood hedge protection of Christ around all of you right now! I give charge to the angles of God to bring in the provision needed to keep this family! In the authority of CHRIST, Amen, so be it! |
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| Oh - now I understand. I love him too! |
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| That's why your blog just hit my heart. |
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