February 11, 2014
Dear Friends,
Monday Afternoon of this week found me at East Mesa Reentry Facility, where we hold our twice-monthly reentry class. We had 13 men with us, all of whom will be released in the next year or so, many of them in the next six months. Our Bible study for the day focused on Isaiah 42:18-25. The discussion wandered around a bit, but eventually focused on how we approach the Bible. Do we come to it only for comfort? Or what if the passage isn’t very comforting?
Isaiah 42 is one of those uncomfortable passages. It accuses God’s people of being blind and deaf to the things of God; it warns them of coming punishment. All of the men in the class are committed to following Christ rather than returning to their habits and thinking that ended with jail time. They recognize that following Christ is not always easy.
The new year of 2014 has had a busy start for me. I am mentoring four released ex-offenders: David (released 1/7/14), Chris (released 12/10/13), and Justin (released 9/10/13) were all involved in the PRO Mentors class at East Mesa. Chris (released 2/10/13) is on state parole. I am mentoring two men at the Miramar Brig: Chris and Byron. And the Bible study at the brig, Thursday nights in Daniel, has been having 16-18 men each week since the year began.
The last week of January, I completed certification as an Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS). There are only 10 or so of us in San Diego County. This certification required about 160 hours of classroom work (a full week in September and then the week in January), online courses, and practicums.
At the invitation of the Sheriff’s department and the District Attorney’s office, I now serve on the TJC (Transition from Jail to Community) Subcommittee for Community Engagement. TJC is a national program that selects jurisdictions that show potential for improving the success of offenders as they transition. This subcommittee’s mission is to help offenders who are released without supervision (probation or parole) have more resources available to them. Our PRO Mentors program is one of only a few programs that serves this population—and the only Christian program. Although lots of churches and groups are available to serve them in various ways, they are not connected so that offenders know whom to call when they are released.
Two Big Needs for February
Need #1: Mentors Six men at East Mesa are ready for a mentor right now. These men have asked for help in their Christian life when they are released. All of our available mentors are already busy. Please Pray that God will raise up another 10 Christian Mentors to help these men. The commitment is 1-3 hours per week for six to twelve months.
Need #2: Funding Although God always provides for me, a few of the last few months have been uncomfortably lean for me. If you are able to give a one-time “extra” gift this month of $10, $50, $100, $500, or $1000, please do so. If you are able to increase your monthly support by $5, $10, or however the Lord leads you, it will be very much appreciated. If you are unable to give extra, please Pray that God will provide someone else to give extra this month.
In short: Pray for 10 Christian men to be mentors; Pray for increased funding for this ministry; as God provides, give a little extra this month, or soon.
Thank you for your hard work in prayer that keeps me encouraged and keeps me helping prisoners!
Sincerely in Christ,
Ben Conarroe
Dear Friends,
Monday Afternoon of this week found me at East Mesa Reentry Facility, where we hold our twice-monthly reentry class. We had 13 men with us, all of whom will be released in the next year or so, many of them in the next six months. Our Bible study for the day focused on Isaiah 42:18-25. The discussion wandered around a bit, but eventually focused on how we approach the Bible. Do we come to it only for comfort? Or what if the passage isn’t very comforting?
Isaiah 42 is one of those uncomfortable passages. It accuses God’s people of being blind and deaf to the things of God; it warns them of coming punishment. All of the men in the class are committed to following Christ rather than returning to their habits and thinking that ended with jail time. They recognize that following Christ is not always easy.
The new year of 2014 has had a busy start for me. I am mentoring four released ex-offenders: David (released 1/7/14), Chris (released 12/10/13), and Justin (released 9/10/13) were all involved in the PRO Mentors class at East Mesa. Chris (released 2/10/13) is on state parole. I am mentoring two men at the Miramar Brig: Chris and Byron. And the Bible study at the brig, Thursday nights in Daniel, has been having 16-18 men each week since the year began.
The last week of January, I completed certification as an Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS). There are only 10 or so of us in San Diego County. This certification required about 160 hours of classroom work (a full week in September and then the week in January), online courses, and practicums.
At the invitation of the Sheriff’s department and the District Attorney’s office, I now serve on the TJC (Transition from Jail to Community) Subcommittee for Community Engagement. TJC is a national program that selects jurisdictions that show potential for improving the success of offenders as they transition. This subcommittee’s mission is to help offenders who are released without supervision (probation or parole) have more resources available to them. Our PRO Mentors program is one of only a few programs that serves this population—and the only Christian program. Although lots of churches and groups are available to serve them in various ways, they are not connected so that offenders know whom to call when they are released.
Two Big Needs for February
Need #1: Mentors Six men at East Mesa are ready for a mentor right now. These men have asked for help in their Christian life when they are released. All of our available mentors are already busy. Please Pray that God will raise up another 10 Christian Mentors to help these men. The commitment is 1-3 hours per week for six to twelve months.
Need #2: Funding Although God always provides for me, a few of the last few months have been uncomfortably lean for me. If you are able to give a one-time “extra” gift this month of $10, $50, $100, $500, or $1000, please do so. If you are able to increase your monthly support by $5, $10, or however the Lord leads you, it will be very much appreciated. If you are unable to give extra, please Pray that God will provide someone else to give extra this month.
In short: Pray for 10 Christian men to be mentors; Pray for increased funding for this ministry; as God provides, give a little extra this month, or soon.
Thank you for your hard work in prayer that keeps me encouraged and keeps me helping prisoners!
Sincerely in Christ,
Ben Conarroe
