April 21, 2010
Dear Friends,
Our Thursday night men’s study in Romans at the Brig has been moving along at a brisk pace. Last week, we studied the last part of Romans 7. Here, the Apostle Paul talks about his ongoing struggle with sin, even though he has been redeemed. As Martin Luther says, we are simultaneously saint and sinner. The men recognized Paul’s honesty in this passage—the Apostle is not pretending he’s “got it all together,” but acknowledges that he still does with his flesh the things he doesn’t want to do in his mind.
As much of a downer as this seems, he picks things up with verse 1 of chapter 8: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Many have memorized this verse, but its power is tenfold when you put it in its context—following the struggle with sin of Romans 7.
The group has been significantly smaller (less than 10 men) since Tim was released in late February. Tim had been awaiting trial for several months, and when he was finally sentenced, he was given less “time” than he had already served. While at the brig, however, he was bringing two or three men with him every week. Since he has departed, we haven’t had so many visitors. Will you pray with me and the inmates for another “inviter” in the A-1 dorm? This is the dorm where detainees will live as they await their courts martial, or during their orientations.
Also released recently—and something of a surprise—was Jeff. Jeff was one of those I mentioned in my February letter who had his sentence significantly reduced due to a recent court ruling. He was quite ill with the flu bug that made—or is making—its vicious rounds when he left to return to Japan to check out of his unit before returning home to Omaha, Nebraska, where his father is dealing with both Parkinsons’ and Ahlseimers’.
I spoke with Norm about a week ago. Norm was released in December 2008, and is now at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma. His case was overturned and he was reinstated by the Army to his previous rank. He has received back pay, and is awaiting orders to retire from the Army and return to San Antonio to be with his wife.
And just a couple of days ago, I spoke with Jared, who is in Abilene, Texas. Jared was released in July of 2009. I’ve written about him before—he was injured while in training to go to Iraq before his incarceration, and is dealing with brain damage that appears to be inoperable. When I last spoke to him in December, he was in the hospital in Lubbock, Texas, and paralyzed from the waist down. He has recovered from that, and was driving to church when I called him. He helps with the youth ministry. His medical prognosis is still very tentative, but he remains faithful and nearly as active as any other 23-year-old. His case was also overturned and he, too, has received back pay.
As always, thank you for your prayers for these men and for me. And thank you for your generous donations to this ministry.
Grace and Peace,
Ben Conarroe
Dear Friends,
Our Thursday night men’s study in Romans at the Brig has been moving along at a brisk pace. Last week, we studied the last part of Romans 7. Here, the Apostle Paul talks about his ongoing struggle with sin, even though he has been redeemed. As Martin Luther says, we are simultaneously saint and sinner. The men recognized Paul’s honesty in this passage—the Apostle is not pretending he’s “got it all together,” but acknowledges that he still does with his flesh the things he doesn’t want to do in his mind.
As much of a downer as this seems, he picks things up with verse 1 of chapter 8: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Many have memorized this verse, but its power is tenfold when you put it in its context—following the struggle with sin of Romans 7.
The group has been significantly smaller (less than 10 men) since Tim was released in late February. Tim had been awaiting trial for several months, and when he was finally sentenced, he was given less “time” than he had already served. While at the brig, however, he was bringing two or three men with him every week. Since he has departed, we haven’t had so many visitors. Will you pray with me and the inmates for another “inviter” in the A-1 dorm? This is the dorm where detainees will live as they await their courts martial, or during their orientations.
Also released recently—and something of a surprise—was Jeff. Jeff was one of those I mentioned in my February letter who had his sentence significantly reduced due to a recent court ruling. He was quite ill with the flu bug that made—or is making—its vicious rounds when he left to return to Japan to check out of his unit before returning home to Omaha, Nebraska, where his father is dealing with both Parkinsons’ and Ahlseimers’.
I spoke with Norm about a week ago. Norm was released in December 2008, and is now at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma. His case was overturned and he was reinstated by the Army to his previous rank. He has received back pay, and is awaiting orders to retire from the Army and return to San Antonio to be with his wife.
And just a couple of days ago, I spoke with Jared, who is in Abilene, Texas. Jared was released in July of 2009. I’ve written about him before—he was injured while in training to go to Iraq before his incarceration, and is dealing with brain damage that appears to be inoperable. When I last spoke to him in December, he was in the hospital in Lubbock, Texas, and paralyzed from the waist down. He has recovered from that, and was driving to church when I called him. He helps with the youth ministry. His medical prognosis is still very tentative, but he remains faithful and nearly as active as any other 23-year-old. His case was also overturned and he, too, has received back pay.
As always, thank you for your prayers for these men and for me. And thank you for your generous donations to this ministry.
Grace and Peace,
Ben Conarroe
