August 22, 2011
Dear Friends,
When I wrote to you all in June, we were in John chapter 5 on Thursday nights at the Brig. Two months later, and we’re just two chapters further along—in the middle of chapter 7. We took our time through chapter 6—a chapter that has lots of hard sayings that need some contemplation and discussion. When I was in campus ministry with InterVarsity twenty years ago, I had a colleague who would do evangelistic studies in John. He said that by chapter 6 people had either dropped out or become Christians.
As we were finishing up chapter 6 a few weeks ago, we had 14 men in attendance—the largest group in well over a year. And six of them were from the A-1 dorm—that is, they were either awaiting their courts martial or had just had their courts martial. The A-1 dorm goes to eat at 6:30, the same time that Bible study begins, which means they must put in a special request to go to “early chow” if they are to come to Bible study. They have to plan ahead to come—and very little gets planned ahead in prison.
The things that Jesus says in chapter 6 are difficult and confusing. Many who have been following Jesus walk away from him because of these sayings. Indeed, Jesus asks the Twelve if they want to leave also. Peter responds, “Where else would we go?”
The culture around us, of course, offers us plenty of places to go. Places that offer excitement and challenge, perhaps, but do not offer life. Peter says to Jesus, “You have the words of eternal life.”
Last weekend, I visited with Javier in Los Angeles, where he is now on home confinement after more than three years in the federal prison in Herlong, California. I first met Javier ten years ago at the brig, and then met regularly with him for a year or so when he was released here in San Diego County. This was the first time I had been able to visit with him face-to-face since his second offense. I asked him why he did what he did—since he knew better. His response, “I was bored.” Since he has a faithful wife and two children (ages 13 and 11 now), one wonders what could be boring. A year ago, while he was still at Herlong, Javier asked me to be his spiritual mentor when he was released. He is still looking for work in Los Angeles, but is willing to meet me halfway to do some Bible study together—about an hour’s drive for each of us.
Last week, I spoke to Rob in West Virginia. I am traveling to the Midwest next week and wanted to see if we could perhaps connect. As I’m speaking to Rob, I hear his wife in the background saying things like “tell him you haven’t been to church in two months,” and “tell him you’re not reading your Bible.” Rob has a job and is staying out of trouble, but there’s more to walking with Jesus than just staying out of trouble.
Side note to anyone in the Midwest who’d like a visit: If I haven’t been in touch yet, please get in touch with me and let’s try to connect.
Norm sends email from Afghanistan several times each week. Norm’s case was overturned (after more than a year of incarceration), so he was able to retire from the Army, reclaim his security clearance, and now works as a civilian contractor in Kandahar. Norm’s faith is strong, and he’s kept pretty busy, but he is looking for fellowship.
Things inside the brig continue to be a bit tense as the transition continues to being the only military detention facility in the southwest. We are still awaiting the arrival of prisoners from the Camp Pendleton brig and two Air Force facilities.
Eric has recently been approved for parole and will be moving to Phoenix in October, where his father lives. Bruce, Joe, and Marty have all been approved for parole, but cannot get a residence approved. Bruce and Joe have been waiting on a residence for nearly a year; Marty for just a few months.
Roy has missed several weeks because of back problems, but also because he was helping watch a suicidal inmate. When Roy returned to Bible study, the troubled inmate (we found out later) also came, and offered testimony to new faith in Christ.
Most of the men who participate on Thursday nights come from the B-1 dorm, where there is lots of fellowship—even a weekly Bible study led by inmates. But Joe (the same Joe as above) is the only regular attender in the B-2 dorm and trying to get a Bible study started there. David is the only regular attender in the B-3 dorm. David works in the galley, and gets specific permission to finish work early on Thursday nights so he can attend Bible study.
Continue to remember the prisoners as they live out their faith in custody.
As always, thanks for your faithfulness in prayer and financial support.
Grace and Peace,
Ben Conarroe
Dear Friends,
When I wrote to you all in June, we were in John chapter 5 on Thursday nights at the Brig. Two months later, and we’re just two chapters further along—in the middle of chapter 7. We took our time through chapter 6—a chapter that has lots of hard sayings that need some contemplation and discussion. When I was in campus ministry with InterVarsity twenty years ago, I had a colleague who would do evangelistic studies in John. He said that by chapter 6 people had either dropped out or become Christians.
As we were finishing up chapter 6 a few weeks ago, we had 14 men in attendance—the largest group in well over a year. And six of them were from the A-1 dorm—that is, they were either awaiting their courts martial or had just had their courts martial. The A-1 dorm goes to eat at 6:30, the same time that Bible study begins, which means they must put in a special request to go to “early chow” if they are to come to Bible study. They have to plan ahead to come—and very little gets planned ahead in prison.
The things that Jesus says in chapter 6 are difficult and confusing. Many who have been following Jesus walk away from him because of these sayings. Indeed, Jesus asks the Twelve if they want to leave also. Peter responds, “Where else would we go?”
The culture around us, of course, offers us plenty of places to go. Places that offer excitement and challenge, perhaps, but do not offer life. Peter says to Jesus, “You have the words of eternal life.”
Last weekend, I visited with Javier in Los Angeles, where he is now on home confinement after more than three years in the federal prison in Herlong, California. I first met Javier ten years ago at the brig, and then met regularly with him for a year or so when he was released here in San Diego County. This was the first time I had been able to visit with him face-to-face since his second offense. I asked him why he did what he did—since he knew better. His response, “I was bored.” Since he has a faithful wife and two children (ages 13 and 11 now), one wonders what could be boring. A year ago, while he was still at Herlong, Javier asked me to be his spiritual mentor when he was released. He is still looking for work in Los Angeles, but is willing to meet me halfway to do some Bible study together—about an hour’s drive for each of us.
Last week, I spoke to Rob in West Virginia. I am traveling to the Midwest next week and wanted to see if we could perhaps connect. As I’m speaking to Rob, I hear his wife in the background saying things like “tell him you haven’t been to church in two months,” and “tell him you’re not reading your Bible.” Rob has a job and is staying out of trouble, but there’s more to walking with Jesus than just staying out of trouble.
Side note to anyone in the Midwest who’d like a visit: If I haven’t been in touch yet, please get in touch with me and let’s try to connect.
Norm sends email from Afghanistan several times each week. Norm’s case was overturned (after more than a year of incarceration), so he was able to retire from the Army, reclaim his security clearance, and now works as a civilian contractor in Kandahar. Norm’s faith is strong, and he’s kept pretty busy, but he is looking for fellowship.
Things inside the brig continue to be a bit tense as the transition continues to being the only military detention facility in the southwest. We are still awaiting the arrival of prisoners from the Camp Pendleton brig and two Air Force facilities.
Eric has recently been approved for parole and will be moving to Phoenix in October, where his father lives. Bruce, Joe, and Marty have all been approved for parole, but cannot get a residence approved. Bruce and Joe have been waiting on a residence for nearly a year; Marty for just a few months.
Roy has missed several weeks because of back problems, but also because he was helping watch a suicidal inmate. When Roy returned to Bible study, the troubled inmate (we found out later) also came, and offered testimony to new faith in Christ.
Most of the men who participate on Thursday nights come from the B-1 dorm, where there is lots of fellowship—even a weekly Bible study led by inmates. But Joe (the same Joe as above) is the only regular attender in the B-2 dorm and trying to get a Bible study started there. David is the only regular attender in the B-3 dorm. David works in the galley, and gets specific permission to finish work early on Thursday nights so he can attend Bible study.
Continue to remember the prisoners as they live out their faith in custody.
As always, thanks for your faithfulness in prayer and financial support.
Grace and Peace,
Ben Conarroe
