February 25, 2010
Dear Friends,
We began a study in Romans several weeks ago in our Thursday night men’s study at the brig. The first few weeks of the year we had more than 15 men each week. The last few weeks have been between 10 and 15—perhaps for the same reason that the gym is more crowded in January than in December. Our “resolutions” wear off.
The first two-and-a-half chapters of Romans are exceedingly bad news for us humans. Paul says very clearly that there is no one righteous—not even one. The news is so bad that I found myself each week pointing forward to chapter 3 verse 21: “But now…” just to give a bit of hope in the midst of things. The men in my study—unlike many of us on the outside—have no trouble believing that there is no one righteous—not even one. But also like many of us on the outside, it’s a lot easier to say with your mouth that you believe no one is righteous than it is to believe it in your heart. Thank God there is a righteous One—Jesus!
The brig is getting ready for another inspection. Being a Navy command, this means a lot of painting and cleaning. In the 12 years I’ve been studying with the inmates, they have replaced the carpet at least twice, and always just before an inspection. It also means a lot of tension. The pressure to pass the inspection is quite intense for the guards and officers. And they pass that intensity on to the prisoners.
Three men who were faithful attendees to our Thursday night group have been released recently. Caleb is in Arizona, JD is in Texas, and Joe is in Oklahoma. JD’s father was killed in a car accident and Joe’s grandmother (who raised him) died, both in January. So their returns home have the weight of grief added to the pressures of freedom.
To be released in the next several weeks are Teyna, Seth, and Kyle. Inmates who have been incarcerated the longest have been told that a new court ruling means their “good days” count is much better than they thought. Most of them will be joining their families three to six months earlier than expected.
Please keep these men in your prayers. Keep me in your prayers, too, that I might teach the Scriptures clearly and faithfully.
Thank you for your prayers and for your generous donations to this ministry.
Grace and Peace,
Ben Conarroe
Dear Friends,
We began a study in Romans several weeks ago in our Thursday night men’s study at the brig. The first few weeks of the year we had more than 15 men each week. The last few weeks have been between 10 and 15—perhaps for the same reason that the gym is more crowded in January than in December. Our “resolutions” wear off.
The first two-and-a-half chapters of Romans are exceedingly bad news for us humans. Paul says very clearly that there is no one righteous—not even one. The news is so bad that I found myself each week pointing forward to chapter 3 verse 21: “But now…” just to give a bit of hope in the midst of things. The men in my study—unlike many of us on the outside—have no trouble believing that there is no one righteous—not even one. But also like many of us on the outside, it’s a lot easier to say with your mouth that you believe no one is righteous than it is to believe it in your heart. Thank God there is a righteous One—Jesus!
The brig is getting ready for another inspection. Being a Navy command, this means a lot of painting and cleaning. In the 12 years I’ve been studying with the inmates, they have replaced the carpet at least twice, and always just before an inspection. It also means a lot of tension. The pressure to pass the inspection is quite intense for the guards and officers. And they pass that intensity on to the prisoners.
Three men who were faithful attendees to our Thursday night group have been released recently. Caleb is in Arizona, JD is in Texas, and Joe is in Oklahoma. JD’s father was killed in a car accident and Joe’s grandmother (who raised him) died, both in January. So their returns home have the weight of grief added to the pressures of freedom.
To be released in the next several weeks are Teyna, Seth, and Kyle. Inmates who have been incarcerated the longest have been told that a new court ruling means their “good days” count is much better than they thought. Most of them will be joining their families three to six months earlier than expected.
Please keep these men in your prayers. Keep me in your prayers, too, that I might teach the Scriptures clearly and faithfully.
Thank you for your prayers and for your generous donations to this ministry.
Grace and Peace,
Ben Conarroe
