American Rehabilitation Ministries, Inc. PO Box 1490 Joplin, MO … Notes from... · 2020-01-15 · American Rehabilitation Ministries, Inc. PO Box 1490 Joplin, MO 64802 Phone: 417-781-9100

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American Rehabilitation Ministries, Inc. PO Box 1490

Joplin, MO 64802 Phone: 417-781-9100 Fax: 417-781-9532

Website: www.arm.org Email: [email protected]

January 2020 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, FROM A SPANISH PRISONER IN FL: "I am from a remote part of Mexico. I was a shepherd and spoke a native dialect …not Spanish. I was hired by a Spanish construction crew here in the U.S., so I had to learn two new languages at the same time. When I was sent to prison I enrolled in ABA in order to better learn English and Spanish. I always rejected the Word before incarceration, but ABA led me to Christ and now I am determined to follow the Lord for the rest of my life. " "You have brought me much knowledge, more each day I study, and not for me only, but also for the group of prisoners who gather with me for Bible study. Together we revel in the Word of God. We pray He enables us to take it to all souls, both those incarcerated with us, as well as those outside these walls of concrete. Prisoners are thirsty for the Spiritual Water that only Christ can provide, even as He did for the woman at the well. " "The ARM family has given us something to drink that satisfies our thirst and increases our hunger. What you do for others is not easy. It requires discipleship, commitment, money …and above all ‘Love’. Love for Christ, love for lost souls - and a desire to give them spiritual drink by way of the Precious Word. “But the water I give them,’ He said, ‘becomes a perpetual spring within them, watering them forever with eternal life.” Jn. 4:14. " "This is my prayer for you: “Father, thank you for everyone involved with ARM. I commend them into your care. Bless each and every one of them that their joy might be made perfect in love and that their focus continues to be to teach prisoners about your truth and righteousness. Thank you Lord for my new ARM Bible that has helped me step out of darkness into light. Please give me more revelation concerning you and your son, Jesus Christ.” Helping spread God's word behind bars and beyond, Joe R. Garman, Evangelist 1 Peter 5:6-7

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December 2019 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In addition to serving all 50 states, plus America’s five territories, we also help support four other ministries. They are in Cambodia, Mexico, The Philippines, and a transitional home for women here in Joplin. I want to share with you a letter I received from the Mexican prison ministry that will give you insight into how worthy they are of our support. They write: “We just finished a Bible program we have been teaching to 700 young non-Christians in four different high schools. 86 successfully completed the studies and we baptized 38 of them. Statewide we have had 663 new students enroll in our Spanish correspondence school. 92 of them were from Azapotzalco where they are now united in starting a new congregation in the city. In addition to all of this, we continue to focus primarily on three prisons and a jail in Sinaloa. “One of our correspondence students, Emiolio Lopez, was transferred by his company to Croatia. We did not previously have students in Croatia but Emiolio is sharing the Word of God with everyone he meets and we are now in the process of printing 10,000 brochures about our school and purchasing 1,000 Bibles in the Croatian language. “PLEASE PRAY FOR US: The Mexican prisons in which we minister are overpopulated and filled with dangerous people. Many of the Mexican youth with whom we work are constantly be sought after by drug traffickers. We are thankful to ARM for the support we receive. – ALFREDO JOSE APARICO.” FROM BROTHER JOE: Oh, how I thank God for Brother Alfredo and for all of you who support ARM so we in turn can help him and the other ministries mentioned above. There are no words in Webster's dictionary that can help me adequately express my appreciation and gratitude for Christian friends like you who make this ministry possible. We currently have about 11,000 prisoners actively enrolled in ABA. Someday, you will be about to meet many of them in Heaven! Until then, please keep up the good work. Thank you for giving to the Lord. Helping spread God's word behind bars and beyond, Joe R. Garman, Evangelist 1 Peter 5:6-7

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November 1, 2019 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

FROM A PRISONER IN FL: “My youngest daughter, Anna, led me to Christ while I was in a jail cell in Graceville, FL. I saved her from drowning in our family pool 28 years ago. In a recent visit she introduced me to the One who could save me from drowning in the sins of drugs and money that had taken over and completely ruled my life. She left me with a Bible, a prayer, an ARM “forgiven” card and an ABA enrollment card.” FROM A FEMALE PRISONER IN AZ: I was raised in Christian schools from 5th grade through graduation where I received regular religious education. Unfortunately, Christianity wasn’t necessarily a focus in my home life; therefore it was nothing more than something required at school for me. Study it, memorize it, and pass the tests. So the Bible isn’t completely “foreign” to me. It definitely has been many years since I have studied it so I look forward to spending time with it from a completely different perspective (desired vs. required). FROM A FEMALE PRISONER IN HI: The thing I appreciate most about ABA is that it has challenged and enabled me to witness to others. My knowledge and faith keeps growing stronger by the day. I can’t help but get excited when someone, who is down and out, comes and talks with me. This gives me an opportunity to tell them about my new friend, Jesus. Thank you for all you are doing for me and for my friends in this prison. FROM A PRISONER IN WI: This latest study required more meditation and research than previous ABA courses I have completed. I spent weeks writing out each and every answer to the review questions. Although it required much hard work, the lessons I have learned will last a lifetime. I have now opened my heart to Christ and He is completely changing my life. I am scheduled to be baptized next month.

Helping spread God's word behind bars and beyond, Joe R. Garman, Evangelist 1 Peter 5:6-7

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October, 2019 FROM A SPANISH PRISONER IN FL: "I am from a remote part of Mexico. I was a shepherd and spoke a native dialect …not Spanish. I was hired by a Spanish construction crew here in the U.S., so I had to learn two new languages at the same time. When I was sent to prison I enrolled in ABA in order to better learn English and Spanish. I always rejected the Word before incarceration, but ABA led me to Christ and now I am determined to follow the Lord for the rest of my life. " "You have brought me much knowledge, more each day I study, and not for me only, but also for the group of prisoners who gather with me for Bible study. Together we revel in the Word of God. We pray He enables us to take it to all souls, both those incarcerated with us, as well as those outside these walls of concrete. Prisoners are thirsty for the Spiritual Water that only Christ can provide, even as He did for the woman at the well. " "The ARM family has given us something to drink that satisfies our thirst and increases our hunger. What you do for others is not easy. It requires discipleship, commitment, money …and above all ‘Love’. Love for Christ, love for lost souls - and a desire to give them spiritual drink by way of the Precious Word. “But the water I give them,’ He said, ‘becomes a perpetual spring within them, watering them forever with eternal life.” Jn. 4:14. " "This is my prayer for you: “Father, thank you for everyone involved with ARM. I commend them into your care. Bless each and every one of them that their joy might be made perfect in love and that their focus continues to be to teach prisoners about your truth and righteousness. Thank you Lord for my new ARM Bible that has helped me step out of darkness into light. Please give me more revelation concerning you and your son, Jesus Christ.” Helping spread God's word behind bars and beyond, Joe R. Garman, Evangelist 1 Peter 5:6-7

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September, 2019 I recently returned from teaching a three night Bible Seminar in a NY prison. 31 men received certificates of perfect attendance and 13 enrolled in ABA. On the second night a young man came up to me, buried his face in my shoulder and cried, “I killed a lot of people in Afghanistan until a sniper shot me.’’ I said Mike (not his real name), while in the service you did what your Commander told you to do. You did your time, now leave it behind.” “What you need, is to join the Army of the Lord. His Commander invites, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Mike put his hand over his face and cried, “But I have killed so many people.” The Chaplain stepped over to listen to our conversation. Later, the Chaplain told me that Mike had been over-medicated for too long after he was shot. He returned home to learn his wife had left him. The Chaplain said, “The drugs and depression got him. They led to his incarceration. It’s just not right that a young man should do three tours of duty in Afghanistan and then return home to do a fourth stint in an American prison.” On the last night eight men came forward to confess Christ. Mike was one of them! Leo Tolstoy has written: "For thirty-five years of my life I was, in the proper acceptation of the word, nihilist, a man who believed in nothing. Five years ago my faith came to me. I believed in the doctrine of Jesus Christ and my whole life underwent a sudden transformation. Life and death ceased to be evil. Instead of despair, I tasted joy and happiness that this world could not take away." Let this be our continued hope and prayer for Mike! Everything that God wants to say, He says through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is both the Foundation upon which Christianity stands and the Door by which we gain entrance. Thank you for giving to the Lord. Your prayers and love offerings for this ministry enabled this story to be told. Helping spread God's word behind bars and beyond, Joe R. Garman, Evangelist 1 Peter 5:6-7

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August 2019 I recently conducted an in-prison seminar at the McLeod Correctional Center in Atoka, OK. This is a minimum security prison of 616 men. We averaged an attendance of 35 over the three day period. Two made a public confession of their faith at the close of the program. Their baptistry was so dysfunctional that we were unable to have baptismal services but the chaplain was pleased to learn that we would soon be sending them a new one. One of the prisoners who lead the music before each session told me, “I was reared by my grandparents in the ways of the Lord. But when I became a teenager I despised God. Coming to prison was a wake-up call for me. Today, I am once again walking by faith with the Lord. Then he quoted Pro. 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Might we always be mindful of this scripture! It is because of your faithful and generous love offerings that we are able to visit and minister to prisoners in the Name of the Lord. Thank you so very much for “locking shields” with us. If I had another life to live I would want to spend it in prison ministry. That’s just how rewarding it is. I thank God that you also choose be part of it. An ARM supporter recently wrote: “Thank you for your vital ministry that allows other lovers of Christ to touch those so often forgotten. We thank God for ARM. Over the years we have enjoyed reading about your (our) ministry to prisoners. It’s not easy to provide for all the spiritual needs of those served by ARM but I will continue doing what I can, just as I have for many years. You are in my prayers as (we) continue serving the incarcerated.” I know you feel the same way. May God continue using us together! "All my theology is reduced to this narrow compass - 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.'" - Archibald Alexander

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July 2019 My dear friends, Bill and Debbie Corum, invited me to accompany them on a visit to the apartment of Timothy Chung in Kansas City, MO. Timothy Chung was sentenced to a labor camp in China for ‘re-education’ through labor. His sentence was to be 3½ years. But he entered the camp in 1958 and was not released until 1979. After spending 21 years in prison for his faith in Jesus Christ, he was finally released and came to America. Timothy’s life is a testimony for us all. After 3½ years of his sentence, he was asked if he was ready to denounce this superstition of believing in Jesus and go home to be with his family. The only thing he was required to do was to say the words, “I do not believe in Jesus,” and even if he didn’t mean it he would be released. Timothy told the interrogating officer that as a Christian he was obligated to believe with his heart and confess with his mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord. The officer pounded his fists on the table and said he would not release him. Year after year (although never again given the opportunity to deny his faith), he was kept as a prisoner, and registered with an “unannounced life imprisonment.” In the labor camp the prisoners were forced to work from 10 to 16 hours a day. Timothy labored in the rock quarry and the brick kiln. The living conditions were inhumane. There were two thousand men in his labor camp. In 1979, a church in Waco, TX began fasting and praying daily for him. Within a month he was released. He gives all the glory to God. He calls it a miracle. He said, “I have never done anything for God. Only God has done things for me.” The beds in these prisons were made of hard dried mud, and then covered with straw. Each bed was 100 feet wide and slept 50 men to a bed. During the time of his incarceration there was a famine in China from 1959 until 1962. During that time, ten million people died from starvation. Two thirds of the prisoners in the labor camps also died. Can you even imagine what it would be like to spend 21 years doing hard labor in a Chinese prison camp? This has been one of the greatest spiritual blessings I have ever received. God granted me the opportunity to meet a man more faithful than Peter (Peter denied his faith when provided the opportunity to confess.) Timothy’s picture hangs on my office wall.

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June 2019

FROM A PRISONER IN OK: As a result of my renewal with Christ a great burden has been lifted off my shoulders. I once walked with Christ but drifted away and became consumed with self. But after arriving in prison I was introduced to ABA. Now I have stopped hanging out with those bad influences that used to occupy my life and thinking. I am walking with Christ once again. Thank you for helping reunite me with my Lord. I am encouraging all I know to enroll.

FROM A PRISONER IN GA: Religious services in my institution are decent but they must be politically correct so as not to offend someone of another faith. It’s such a shame that we all have to observe “the new tolerance.” Soft, cute, devotional thoughts are nice but eventually we need to get down to the meat of the Word. This is why I like ABA… especially your two courses on Christian Doctrine written by Denver Sizemore. Thank you for teaching solid Christian doctrine.

FROM A CHAPLAIN IN AL: As we distribute your Bibles and Bible correspondence courses, it’s amazing to see prisoner’s faces light up with joy, because many have never had a Bible to call their own. Some can't believe we are giving them a Bible without a string attached. Once an inmate gets his or her Bible, they start requesting Bible studies. There’s a lot of spiritual hunger here. It’s just a matter of getting everyone fed. ARM is making a big difference in this regard.

FROM A PRISONER IN MO: During Chapel service a friend of mine was baptized in an ARM baptistry. We also had communion. He wanted me to baptize him but prison rules required the chaplain to do it. A number of men here are taking ABA courses. I recently read an article about great revivals that have resulted in reduced jail populations. That’s the answer, isn’t it? By planting the gospel seed, like ARM is doing, there actually can be a reduction of crime in the future.

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May 2019

FROM A CHAPLAIN IN NY: Thank you for the two cases of The Gospel of John and seven cases of The Gift of Freedom. We appreciate your generosity in donating the Word of God for the changing of prisoner’s lives. All these materials will assist the love of Christ to shine into the hearts and minds of our men. ARM is a faithful ministry. Everything you have ever supplied to us has resulted in great blessings toward the spiritual and personal growth of our inmates.

FROM A CHAPLAIN IN PA: Thank you for sending Joe Garman to the Federal Correctional Institution in Loretto. He encouraged the men with love and grace. The seminar began and ended with standing room only. Although the men were not all from the same faith background it inspired in them a sense of unity and purpose. Thank you for leaving extra Spanish courses for our Spanish Bible study groups. Much seed was sown and much harvest will be the result.

FROM A PRISONER IN CA: Your Bible courses are top notch. I will recommend them to the chaplain and the other inmates. I loved Denver Sizemore’s Christian Doctrine study. It was informative, interesting and thoughtful, especially on the subjects of mission work and tithing. By the way, lesson seven in this study dealt with baptism. Here at my prison we are fortunate to have one of you baptistries. This year we witnessed 32 prisoners baptized. Keep us in your prayers!

FROM A PRISONER IN TN: Some Bible programs teach their opinions right along with their studies. But that is not the case with ABA. You dear brothers and sisters present the facts of scripture and encourage the student to draw his or her own conclusion to the matter. I respect you for that. The statements you make are factual, not opinionated. Do not change this rare quality. Open minded people quickly become close minded when opinions are emphasized.

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April 2019

HAPPY EASTER!

“THE Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” John 1:14 NIV

How hell must have celebrated the day Jesus was crucified! The Word had become flesh and dwelt among us …the only begotten of the Father! And now, He had died on a cross. But Satan’s big party didn’t last long! One author writes: “In the most ironic twist of all history, what Satan meant for evil, God meant for good. Jesus’ death bridged the gap between a perfect God and a fatally flawed humanity. Through it all, God defeated sin and death. He took the worst deed of history and turned it into the greatest victory. No wonder Jesus commanded that we never forget. Because of the cross we have hope. It’s through the Servant’s wondrous wounds, not His miracles, that we are healed. And it’s through Christian servants such as you that we are able to take this blessed news to men, women, boys and girls sitting in isolated jail and prison cells without God, without Christ and without hope. FROM A PRISONER IN MI: “There are eight of us prisoners in each pod. My pod has a group bible study each day for about an hour using ABA as our guide. I came to prison as a 16 year old kid. I cannot remember how many times I contemplated suicide. I never shared my faith with anyone until recently. Now, I can’t wait to tell everyone I know about Christ.. My dream is to someday take what I have learned back to my family and friends. These courses have taught me the true meaning of repentance and forgiveness. One of my pod mates is blind so you can understand my joy when he suggested he also wanted to enroll in ABA. I have found I learn better by having to read each page out loud. He is excited too. You ought to see him smile when we study the Bible together. I can only imagine how exciting this Easter will be for him. You are sponsoring eight for the price of one.”

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March 2019 Dear Brothers and Sisters, ARM has five branch prison ministries around the world. They are located in Korea, Cambodia, The Philippines, Mexico, and a ‘Rescue house’ for women here in Joplin. Recently we received a 2018 summary of activities from Mexico. I knew you would be thrilled to learn what is happening in the Spanish speaking world. When you support ARM you are also supporting prison ministry in these five locations. Thank you for all you do for us and them.

A 2018 SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES FROM THE PRISON OUTREACH PROGRAM IN MEXICO CITY

7 new churches planted Students in 8 universities enrolled in their Bible correspondence school 40,720 packages of correspondence courses shipped to Bible students in 42 countries 104 hours of gospel broadcasting on the radio Ministered in 218 prisons Baptized 472 students Shipped 960 Bible study CD’s Enrolled 1,340 Bible students from Muslim countries Counseled 1,780 people Enrolled 1,840 new prison inmates Taught kindness and respect sessions to 18,200 people Graduated 3,856 correspondence students Distributed 4,600 Bibles to people who did not have one Conducted a Bible training conference for 5,200 correctional officers Distributed 46,400 gospel tracts In addition, they work hard to increase spiritual maturity in each student and convert. YOU HAVE HELPED ACCOMPLISH A GOOD PORTION OF ALL OF THE ABOVE THROUGH YOUR SUPPORT OF ARM!

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February 2019 I have good/great news for you today. We have now placed 7,554 copies of my book “SOAR” in 2,900 jails and prisons nationwide. Prisoners from coast to coast will be able to read “Safely abiding in spite of the storm”, “Waiting on the Lord” and “Risking more to Fly higher”, plus other exciting chapters of the book. They will be able to catch a higher vision and soar with new understanding as they discover the many ways God desires to bless them. No doubt you are familiar with the award-winning movie SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION! A scene I cannot forget is when the library clerk pushes the book cart down the walk-way, stopping at each cell to ask the prisoner if he wants a book to read. I am impressed, because that scene is repeated each day in almost every prison in America since most maximum level prisoners are not allowed to leave their cells to go to the library. SOAR is often requested. Last month a chaplain ordered 100 books for his prison. I thought that was a little excessive until I discovered that he had well over a thousand inmates. Another chaplain wrote: “Thank you for SOAR. I wish that every one of my residents could read it. Please send more if you can.” So we still need more books. You can sponsor “SOAR” by going to our website www.arm.org and clicking “donations”. Order one for yourself. They only cost $10 each. FROM A CHAPLAIN IN OH: Thank you for the SOAR books you sent for my prisoners. They have proved to be a tremendous blessing. I distributed them after Sunday service and mid-week Bible study. They certainly were appreciated. The men are grateful to receive “spiritually meaningful” books. Sometimes after reading them they send them home to their loved ones. For many, Christ and family is all they have left. You are partners with us. I look forward to your next visit.

FROM A CHAPLAIN IN VA: Thank you for the services you have provided for us over the years. We are grateful for all who sponsor your ministries. It’s not easy finding support for the many programs I need and want, but ARM “bends over backwards” to assist. You have meant so much to so many Chaplains and prisoners across America. Because I trust in God and His anointed ones, I enjoy partnering with you. You have always supplied us with good biblical materials ...SOAR included.

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January 2019 Happy New Year to you and yours! I closed out 2018 by being the final speaker at the Western Missouri Correctional Center Christmas celebration. This prison is an hour north of Kansas City, contains all three levels of security, and houses 1,958 male felons. A week before the Christmas program 15-20 Christian volunteers went from cell to cell making sure each inmate received a DaySpring Christmas card and invited them to the service. Over 200 inmates (more than 10% of the population) came to the gymnasium and took their seat in the bleachers. They were treated to a band of drums, guitars, keyboards and exceptional singers (several were former prisoners). Then two Christian men (both ex-convicts) gave their conversion testimonies and challenged them to do likewise. At last, it was my turn to speak. You could have heard a pin drop. Everyone was ready to hear the Christmas story. I began by stating that Christ did not come from Heaven to earth to preach the gospel; rather that there might be a gospel to be preached. They got it; they understood it. When it was time to extend the gospel invitation three men came forward for salvation. Then I extended a second invitation for those who wanted to study to prepare themselves for specialized Christian ministry. Seven men came forward to commit themselves to Christian service. WOW! What a way to end the year…and what a way to begin 2019 by writing to you and thanking you for continuing to be my friend and partner in this New Year. God has been so good to us. It is a joy to lock shields with you and move forward for Christ. Fourteen thousand prisoners are currently enrolled in ABA. The late Don Earl Boatman, former president of Ozark Bible College, called us “the fastest growing Bible College behind bars’’. Those with whom we minister live in spiritual darkness, frightened from enemies within as well as outside the prison walls. God bless you for blessing ARM. Great is your reward …both in this world and in the one to come. Do not become weary in well doing. Many are being saved. As one prisoner wrote, “I don’t know you, I don’t know what you look like and I don’t even know your name, but thank you for teaching me about the love of God”.

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November 2018 From all of us at ARM: HAPPY THANKSGIVING! God has been so good to us and many of these blessings have been as the result of your faithful, generous and sacrificial prayers and gifts. We are truly thankful for you. My most recent In-Prison seminar was in Black River Falls, WI. One of the first things I saw as I entered the state was two bald eagles flying overhead. I took this as a sign from the Lord that the seminar was going to be a good one …and it was. 27 inmates received perfect attendance certificates, 15 enrolled in ABA and three wanted to be baptized. We now have about 13,000 prisoners in our Bible correspondence school to which these 35 will be added. Just before leaving for WI, I received the following letter from one of the prisoners: “The guys are excited about you coming to teach the Bible seminar again. Many lives have been changed because of ministries like yours. Thank you for including us in your schedule. We need as much Bible teaching as possible because falsehood spreads like a wildfire in here. I have completed all eight of ABA’s Bible Courses. What a blessing they have been to us.” While this is happening in America I heard from two of ARM’s branch ministries. Ernesto Alocelja in The Philippines wrote: “We have expanded our outreach to a juvenile rehab. Center for boys aged 12-17 who have been convicted of rape, murder, rioting, robbery and selling drugs. There are 115 incarcerated at this facility. We were amazed how receptive they are to Christ. 53 of them confessed Christ as Lord and Savior during the invitation.” And from our representative in Mexico (Alfredo Jose Aparicio) we learn: “Some prisons are housing six prisoners in one-man cells. As a result, fights and slashing are common. In one such cell all six prisoners became Christians as a result of our ministry. Whereas they used to curse and fight each other they now live in peace. Their individual and collective struggles have been alleviated because of the Prince of Peace. The Word does not return empty.” THIS IS THE PEACE I WISH FOR YOU AND YOURS DURING THIS VERY SPECIAL SEASON OF THE YEAR!

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October 2018 God is so good to give us Christian friends like you. Thank you for faithfully supporting this mission. Each night I thank the Lord for those who enter America’s jails and prisons with us through your offerings and prayers. Christ is a fountain to wash the prisoner’s guilt, a wedding garment to cover his or hers sins, and the “Balm of Gilead” to heal all their wounds and bruises. You are a blessing to many, as the following will confirm. You are GOD’S MOST WANTED and ARM’S MOST NEEDED! FROM A PRISONER IN TX: I am a citizen of Sierra Leone. I fled my country because of persecution. Before coming here I joined a cult (Poro), thinking they would assist me in getting to America, but I was arrested at the Brownsville border. While in jail I enrolled in ABA. I have grown so much in the Lord and am no longer affiliated with the previously mentioned sect. To a great extent God used ABA to deliver me. I will soon be deported, but in coming here I have found Christ. FROM A PRISONER IN FL. I just completed all of ABA’s Bible Courses, and I am so glad I did. At one time I was the worst of the worst. I ran with the worst and was proud of it. I was considered one of the dregs of society. But, ‘If anyone is going to boast, let him boast only of what the Lord has done’ (1 Cor. 1:31). So that I shall do! PRAISE THE LORD! ‘God has set my feet on a hard firm path and steadied me as I walked along’ (Ps. 40:2). FROM A PRISON CHAPLAIN IN TX. The guys are excited about you coming to teach another the Bible seminar. Thank you for including us in your schedule. Last time we had 74 prisoners attend and 42 of them made decisions for Christ. We need as much help as possible because falsehood spreads like a wildfire in here. We look forward to seeing you soon.

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September 2018 Last month I conducted a 3-day in-prison seminar at the Delta Correctional Center just outside Delta, CO. This is a level 1/minimum security prison holding 459 men. 48 received Certificates for Faithful attendance (that was more than 10% of the population …Praise the Lord), three enrolled in ABA and three were baptized. This month I will teach a 2-day seminar at the Jim E. Hamilton Correctional Center, population 695. Let’s pray that we get at least a 10% turn-out at this facility too …PTL. YOU ARE AN ENABLER! THROUGH YOUR GENEROUS AND FAITHFUL MISSION OFFERINGS YOU ENABLE US TO CONDUCT THESE IN-PRISON SEMINARS, PROVIDE BAPTISRIES FOR THE PRISONS, AND TEACH INMATES THE WORD OF GOD THROUGH THE AMERICAN BIBLE ACADEMY. ACCORDING TO MT. 25:36 JESUS SAID YOU HAVE DONE THIS UNTO HIM! THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE LORD!!

FROM A FEMALE PRISONER IN CA: I lost my husband while incarcerated and could not afford state transfer to his funeral. That was a difficult time. But the Lord provided some wonderful Christian volunteers who came into the prison to set with me during the hour his funeral was being conducted. I don’t know what I would have done without them. Wherever the need is God provides loving people to meet it. God has shown me so much grace and truth.

FROM A MALE PRISONER IN NY: A million thanks for what you have done. You have allowed me to study God’s Word through ABA. You have inspired me to grow in knowledge and grace. You have presented Bible truths that are able to keep me from being deceived by the Devil. You have taught me the fundamental doctrines of salvation. These are now bright and shining lights prominently displayed in my previously darkened mind and soul. Great will be your reward.

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August 2018 Recently I conducted an in-prison seminar at the Lamesa, TX prison. 63 inmates received “faithful attendance” certificates and 10 received baptismal certificates. All they had for a baptistry was a horse trough, so as I was leaving I told them to be on the lookout for an ARM Communion Table Baptistry. Everyone began praising the Lord. This month I received a letter from a chaplain in TN. Enclosed were several pictures of his baptismal service. I wish you could see them but I will honor his request not to distribute them. He said that last year he baptized about 175 inmates, which is 1/3 of the jail population, and that many times it has been the Christian inmates in the jail who have brought the prisoners to Christ. A prisoner in VA wrote: “I had just received my ABA study on John when my cellmate was notified he was being transferred. I was out of the cell when they came to get him and he took my Bible course with him. Could you please send me another? I hope that wherever he goes he will study the course and be converted. That sounds weird, but stranger things have happened. I hope to meet my ex-cellmate in Heaven and learn that the thief was transformed. If Christ did it once, He can do it again.” From SC a prisoner writes: “I have been shooting methamphetamines for eight years. I never smoked or snorted it. I went straight to the needle. It changed me. I was not the person I used to be. Recently I accepted Christ but it continues to be a daily and nightly struggle. I hear that ‘once an addict, always an addict.’ Some days I just wish I could die. In Heaven I will no longer struggle with this constant temptation. Praise God, there will be no crack houses there. Pray for me.” And finally, this letter from a prisoner’s mother: “My son was just baptized in prison! It was a joyous and wonderful experience for him! I’m sure there will be many Christian inmates to help him in his walk with Christ. God is so good. I know His eyes were on my son long before he entered the prison system. Sometimes it takes something like this to get us to look up and see how God is bringing us to Himself. Thank you for your beautiful ministry.”

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July 2018 Since the first of the year I have conducted in-prison Bible seminars in three states: CA, OH, and IL, resulting in 13 baptisms. Over the next couple months I will teach Bible seminars in five states: AR, CO, OK, TX and WI. Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life. So he who sows and he who reaps rejoice together” Jn. 4:34, 35. A few days ago I received an email from Ron Goodman, Director of Strategic Partnerships with ORPHAN HELPERS in El Salvador and Honduras. We donated a couple of baptistries to their ministries. They had 75 baptisms in juvenile prisons last year and have already had 56 in 2018. Ron thanked me for the baptistries, I thank you, and God gets the glory. That is how Jesus said Jn. 4:35 should work. Ron sent the following picture caption: “One young man with a broken leg and a cast wanted to be baptized so badly that he pleaded with workers from Orphan Helpers to pick him up and lift him into the portable baptistry. Thank you for all your support of these new Christians who are in some really tough places.” It seems that almost every baptism we have at ARM is with men, women, boys and girls “who are in some really tough places.” But I thank God for you and Christians like you who are faithful and generous to help them. Remember the man in Jn. 4:7? “The man answered, Sir, I have no one to put me into the water.” God had a lot of someone’s here! You, me, Brother Ron, and the men in this picture. It’s called DISCIPLESHIP!

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June 2018 From Jackie Brant of Glad Tidings Ministries in Grayson, KY to the ARM Family: “Some years ago I picked up some of your information at a convention. I was familiar with your ministry since my husband and I were missionaries for many years in Africa and all mission programs interested us. Since that time my husband passed away. We were doing mission work in Spain and reaching into North Africa. After his death I returned to Kentucky. Six years ago I found a new mission field a lady in our church had started – jail ministry. Kim Davis was incarcerated in our jail when she refused to sign certificates of marriage (as a court clerk) for same sex marriages. Carter County Detention Center in Grayson, Ky. was the closest county to her county that took federal prisoners. She came the same night we meet and our head staff lady asked us if we would minister to her at the end of our meeting. We listened to her and prayed with her for about 30 minutes. I have never looked back. I approached our Christian Jailer with information about your baptistries. Our cattle trough baptistery had sprung a leak and we were using a plastic tub that was too small. In spite of this there had already been nearly 70 baptisms among the women. Within a couple of days after ordering a baptistry, we had it! It has proven to be a wonderful asset. There were four baptisms two weeks ago and at age 83 I could not have managed without that baptistery. Our church supplies Celebrate Recovery Bibles for the women. They are encouraged to read them together and pray in groups. Our prayer is that this will also happen with the men. I am writing this as a testimony to the impact ARM is having here in Grayson, Ky. I never thought I would be involved in such a ministry as the prison ministry but it has become my mission field and I wouldn't change it for anything! God bless all who make ARM possible.”

FROM JOE: I thank God for Jackie and Glad Tidings. They minister to hundreds of women. I also thank God for you. Your support of ARM helps provide for other ministries in America and around the world.

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May 2018 Terry Weaver was incarcerated in Ohio when a chaplain gave him a sheet of paper that listed available Bible correspondence programs. A.B.A. caught his eye and he began taking studies from us on 8-5-2002 and completed six courses by 4-29-2003. Upon his release from prison, he began getting involved in jail & prison ministry. He is now 30 days away from completing all of the training required by the Federal Government and State of Ohio to be fully recognized as an official chaplain in their facilities. Terry is currently visiting 38 Federal and State prisons and several county jails. He has earned an honorable reputation from the correctional officials and inmates. His current ministry is designed to accomplish three goals: 1) share God's love and redeeming work with prisoners, 2) teach them to maintain a level of accountability that most have never experienced before and, 3) challenge inmates to choose a Christ-centered lifestyle that will assist them from becoming candidates for recidivism. Terry is an energetic speaker with a solid testimony describing his life "From Crime to Christ". He is passionate about his calling and is committed to introducing inmates to Christ in correctional facilities, residential treatment centers and transition facilities. He has chosen ABA as one of his most trusted tools to accomplish this goal! “Christ did not come to preach the gospel, but that there might be a gospel to preach.” –Dr. Dale Marsh. When I see how far Terry came to be where he is now, I cannot help but praise God for the precious gospel that transformed his life. I also am reminded of Christians like you who make this gospel available! Your support enables us to reach into isolated jail and prison cells to minister to people like Terry! – Joe.

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April 2018 FROM AN EX-PRISONER IN TX: Thank you for sending Joe Garman to the California Men’s Colony. He spends at least a week with us each year. The men and I have learned so much from his preaching and teaching. I was his Spanish interpreter for at least 12 of those years and honored to serve. I am now out of prison and working in a deportees and homeless shelter in a Texas border town. We have one of ARM’s baptistries. Come and see us when you can. The Lord continues to add to our numbers and we are pleased to see the many ways God answers prayer. FROM A PRISONER IN OK: I’m a Native American and used to be one of the leaders of a prison gang known as I.B. (Indian Brotherhood). I was 2nd in command. Today, I want the Lord to be 1st in command of my life due in large part to ABA. I just completed Christian Doctrine II with a 73% grade score. I thank ARM also for providing me with a copy of Joe Garman’s book The Way of the Eagles. That pretty much describes how I want to live. Some of my Native American friends are identifying with the book also. It is exciting to be part of the fellowship. FROM A PRISONER IN MD: I once had a relationship with God but I wandered far away. I am thankful that He never distanced Himself from me. Prison saved my life physically and spiritually. I would be dead and in hell right now had I not been arrested and incarcerated. There are a lot of good programs in here if the prisoner really wants to better himself. ABA is one of them. ABA is a five-star Bible correspondence school. I hope someday to become a minister. Several of the Christian ministers and volunteers who come in here are former prisoners. FROM A SPANISH PRISONER IN MO: ABA has been a blessing to me and many others in my facility. I plan to become a preacher when I am released. Many of the men here have committed crimes while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. What they need, now that they are sober, is for someone to teach them how they can turn their lives around and receive Christ before they go back home. I never thought the Lord would use a detention center to prepare me for Kingdom work. But what better place is there to learn how to minister to the incarcerated?

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March 2018

FROM A PRISONER IN TX: I just recently became a Christian. Out of 4,800 correctional facilities in America and 3,722 men in my prison, your Bible study came directly to my cell with my name and number on it. That was a sign from God that He is with me in my Christian walk. I am excited about ABA because I want to know His Word better. I believe God has great plans for my future but I must first prepare myself for the journey. I have a lot of work to do.

FROM A PRISONER IN VA: Another prisoner gave me your gospel tract entitled: Fifty Fascinating Facts about Angels. I am 55 years old and just now learning about them. I’m looking up all the scriptures listed and am having fun doing so. I never knew the Bible has so much to say about angels. When I think back, I can see many times that angels have protected me. I am taking your advice and not praying to the angels, but I am sure thanking God for them.

FROM A CHIEF JAILER IN GA: Thank you for the baptistry you sent our county jail. What a joy it is to witness for the Master right here where God has placed us. Nothing is as pleasing as being in the center of the God’s will. We encourage the men and women of this facility to know the Lord regardless of their circumstances. We are open for more Kingdom materials.

I NEVER CEASE TO BE AMAZED AT WHERE GOD HAS PLACED HIS PEOPLE! – JOE.

FROM A CHAPLAIN IN CA: We appreciate the DaySpring greeting cards you send our prisoners. They are having such a positive impact. Each of our five facilities allows all residents to receive two cards per year. This means so much to the families they leave behind. One resident gave his to a couple of church choirs that come in each month to sing. The cards directed his thinking outward to others. That’s the effect we’re looking for. The cards blessed the choirs! GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

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February 2018 Last month was my mother’s birthday; January 17 she turned 100 years old. And yes, the TODAY show sent a picture of her on a Smucker's jelly jar. Her church had a pot-luck after services and about 200 friends and family members were there to celebrate. Praise God! More good news! As you know, ARM helps sponsor four “branch” jail and prison ministries located in Cambodia, Korea, Mexico and the Philippines. All four are doing an exceptional job but I especially want to tell you what is going on in Mexico.

MEXICO’S END OF THE YEAR (2017) REPORT TO ARM

Distributed 60,500 gospel tracts in the jails Enrolled 1,194 new prisoner students in their bible correspondence school Baptized 608 inmates Sent 460 packs of gospel CD’s to prisoners who could not read or who were blind

Gave bibles to 3,120 correctional officers Personally counseled 786 inmates Provided bible correspondence courses to prisoners in 42 Spanish speaking countries Placed 11,659 bibles in Mexican jails and prisons Conducted worship services in 214 correctional facilities Entered into 104 “youth jails” and ministered to juvenile delinquents Taught prison awareness programs in 23 Mexican universities Supplied bibles to about 7,000 college students.

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January 2018 Happy New Year! Can you believe it is 2018? I wanted to share the following article written by Maxine Fream Gash, one of our wonderful volunteers. It is entitled "Get Right Back Up and Try Again." It is a great reminder to us all to never give up and to show grace often. God bless you and yours in 2018! "Sometimes people have “accidents” or failures in life which could easily defeat them if they allow them to do so. They fail to accomplish what they set out to do, experience a betrayal, or have a moral lapse. Sometimes they think there is no use trying and give up. But it was prophesied of the Lord that “A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory (Matt. 12:20).” I know of a young man who decided to study for the ministry. Both he and his wife had been active in their local church. But when he was away studying, she ran off with a married man who left his wife and several children. The student preacher was terribly hurt as was the church and all who knew them. He could have quit, but he trusted God and kept the course. Subsequently, his ministry proved meaningful to hundreds of people. There is an account of two missionaries who labored for years on a translation of the scriptures for a primitive tribe. They carefully packed the manuscript and sent it off to a publisher to be printed. However, the mail truck met with an accident and ran off a cliff and burned. All that work was gone in a few minutes! It was heartbreaking. Yet the missionaries did not give up but returned once again to the task. When Thomas Edison was working on the incandescent light bulb, he performed hundreds of experiments and finally found a filament that worked. He sent a young helper with the precious bulb to carry to a lab downstairs. The fellow accidentally dropped the bulb which broke into dozens of pieces. Edison patiently constructed another and entrusted the same worker to carry it again! His faith was rewarded, and a young man was restored. John Mark left Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 15: 36-41). Did he get homesick or discouraged? We aren’t told. But Paul was displeased and quarreled with Barnabas about taking him again. In this case though, Mark measured up the second time around and finally won back a place in Paul’s good graces and in Biblical history. As we have received grace, let us show grace to others. It makes a difference."

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December 2017 FROM A CHURCH IN CA: Keep up the good work. We have had an occasion to thank God for ARM. A young man visited our church and wanted to be baptized. He was from a Muslim home. I asked him where he had learned about Christ. He said he had gone to prison for stealing and while in prison he decided to take a Bible course to pass the time. He has been coming to Church ever since. He doesn’t drive so his father brings him. I wanted to share this victory with you. We pray his family will visit our church soon. FROM A CHAPLAIN IN MI: We are grateful for the assistance we receive from ARM. The ABA helps teach our residents about Christ, the baptistries enable us to baptize them into Christ, and the DaySpring greeting cards provide an avenue of communication with their loved ones. All three are a valued part of our ministry to the incarcerated, helping support and solidify their faith in positive ways. Last month we baptized five inmates. Thank you for providing us with some of the tools that help meet their spiritual needs. FROM A PRISONER IN TX: I am writing you from "the Hole." "The Hole" is comprised of a block of solitary confinement cells separated from the main population …a prison within a prison, reserved for those who cannot or will not obey prison rules and regulations. In my case it was a "will not." You cannot take anything in with you except a pen and note pad …no Bible, no book, no radio, no T.V. It is to be a place of reflection and meditation. I learned about ABA just before coming in. I plan to enroll as soon as I get out. FROM A CHAPLAIN IN TN: I conduct chapel services at nine prisons in Tennessee and Arkansas. Some are male and some are female correctional facilities. Over the past three months we have baptized more than 450 inmates in ARM baptistries. Another ARM baptistry will soon be installed in the Eastern Arkansas Regional Unit. I thank God for a mutually beneficial partnership with you.

I ECHO THAT LAST SENTENCE IN GRATITUDE FOR YOU! HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS – JOE G.

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November 2017 I recently returned from a rather large prison in CA (about 4,000 men) where I was scheduled to conduct two In-Prison seminars, one for the maximum security (south side) and another for the medium security (north side). The first one was to begin Sunday morning for the south side, but on Saturday the Chaplain phoned to say that due to “chatter” on the yard about a possible prison riot, authorities had cancelled all gatherings for security reasons. Thankfully, the riot never developed but the chapel remained locked down. The Chaplain and I prayed over the situation and felt led to go to the north side. We waited two days for the south side to reopen but finally authorities closed it down for good. So we returned to the north side and announced we would start our seminar Wednesday. The north side inmates were thrilled and we had “standing room only” the first night. The second night we put folding chairs in the isle to accommodate the overflow. On our final night together, we awarded 123 certificates to those who had been faithful to the program each night. We also had 11 baptisms. Then the best news of all …we had set an historic record for the greatest number of prisoners in the chapel in this history of the north side prison. Often times when things don't seem to be working out as planned, we tend to become discouraged. It is then when we can be still and know that the God who has commissioned us in His work, will lead us in the way that brings more glory to His name and a greater working in us. After passing through all of the difficulties and trials, Joseph reasoned this way with his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." We are doing the King's work. Hearing His leading is directly related to our closeness to Him. It is better to be close to the Lord than discouraged by a change in plans. Draw near to the Lord and He will draw near to you. The steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord.

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October 2017

CONGRATULATIONS TO ARM’S BRANCH PRISON MINISTRY IN MEXICO:

One of the most dangerous jails in Mexico is located in Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico. ABA has 126 inmate Bible students there. These prisoners have changed so much that they caught the attention of the jail guards. Nothing generates better results than God’s Word in action and we thank Him that ABA has impacted so may lives in this jail. The same effect is occurring in Centro Carcelario Juvenil de Morelos where ABA has 41 juvenile students. Alfredo Aparicio is director of this ministry. He and his staff were invited by the State Commissioner of Police for the State of Morelos to teach the Bible to the police officers in Morelos (a potential of 1,200 federal and state police officers). The Bible training lasted ten weeks. At the end of the conference the State Commissioner announced that the policemen who received biblical training improved in responsibility. Alfredo said, “Few of these officers had ever had a Bible in their hands before, so each received a personal Bible at the close.” After completing ABA’s study on the Gospel of John, one policeman said, “It was intense! Little did I know it would prove just a small taste of the glorious feast I was about to enjoy. But it was Christian Doctrine that really opened the doors of my heart and mind and challenged me to accept Christ. I found answers to questions I have had all my life, plus the study taught me how to cross-reference. Many spiritual truths have been brought into the open. ABA has been such a blessing. I thank God for it. “Prisoners are always talking about how much longer they have to serve. But I want to talk with them about Jesus. They either listen or they walk slowly away …like the Rich Young Ruler in Mk. 10. Either way, they see the change that has occurred in my life. ARM has already donated a portable baptistry for our jail. Now we are requesting the appropriate permit to have it placed inside the facility. Then we will be able to baptize the prisoners who cannot currently come outside the jail for baptism.”

I thank God for Alfredo Aparicio and the way he allows God to use him as a willing vessel to take the Gospel to Mexican prisoners and the police officers who oversee them. I also thank God for every remembrance of you!

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September 2017 FROM AN ENGLISH PRISONER: “‘Delight yourself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of your heart’ Ps. 37:4. Hello. I’m from Coventry, England and currently incarcerated in one of Louisiana’s parish jails. The above Bible verse has become my theme text since surrendering to Christ. If you want to know how I felt during my first four months of imprisonment read Deut. 28:67. It took 16 months, but at last I have confessed Christ as my Lord and Savior. It all began when I wrote the BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION and requested a Bible correspondence course for prisoners. They suggested I contact ABA. The very first study you sent me was ‘The Gospel of John.’ You could not have selected a better one because in chapter three I read about ‘the New Birth’ and fell in love with Christ just as Nicodemus did. I would study and then think …study and then think. Four months later I completed the 220 page course. In the process my heart and mind have been renewed. ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new’ II Cor. 5:17. It’s true; Christ transformed me. My whole reasoning process is changed and I am awaiting baptism. Until then, I will continue faithfully in my ABA studies. God has great things in store for me. I will soon be returning to England. My children are all anxious to see me. They have been provided for physically and I have been provided for spiritually. I am victorious and I pray that soon each and every one of them will be. Thank you for your part in helping make me into a Christian man. I haven’t seen my family in 16 months. I need wisdom on how best to impart my faith to them. But God is control. He will make a way.

How exciting is that? Who knows where it will end? All because you and I witnessed to a prisoner!

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August 2017

CONGRATULATIONS TO ARM’S BRANCH PRISON MINISTRY IN MEXICO:

One of the most dangerous jails in Mexico is located in Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico. ABA has 126 inmate Bible students there. These prisoners have changed so much that they caught the attention of the jail guards. Nothing generates better results than God’s Word in action and we thank Him that ABA has impacted so may lives in this jail. The same effect is occurring in Centro Carcelario Juvenil de Morelos where ABA has 41 juvenile students. Alfredo Aparicio is director of this ministry. He and his staff were invited by the State Commissioner of Police for the State of Morelos to teach the Bible to the policeman in Morelos (a potential of 1,200 federal and state police officers). The Bible training lasted ten weeks. At the end of the conference the State Commissioner announced that the policemen who received biblical training improved in responsibility. Alfredo said, “Few of these officers had ever had a Bible in their hands before, so each received a personal Bible at the close.” After completing ABA’s study on the Gospel of John, one policeman said, “It was intense! Little did I know it would prove just a small taste of the glorious feast I was about to enjoy. But it was Christian Doctrine that really opened the doors of my heart and mind and challenged me to accept Christ. I found answers to questions I have had all my life, plus the study taught me how to cross-reference. Many spiritual truths have been brought into the open. ABA has been such a blessing. I thank God for it. “Prisoners are always talking about how much longer they have to serve. But I want to talk with them about Jesus. They either listen or they walk slowly away …like the Rich Young Ruler in Mk. 10. Either way, they see the change that has occurred in my life. ARM has already donated a portable baptistry for our jail. Now we are requesting the appropriate permit to have it placed inside the facility. Then we will be able to baptize the prisoners who cannot currently come outside the jail for baptism.”

I thank God for Alfredo Aparicio and the way he allows God to use him as a willing vessel to take the Gospel to Mexican prisoners and the police officers who oversee them. I also thank God for every remembrance of you!

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July 2017 FROM A PRISONER IN MI: “I just finished ABA’s study on Galatians and Philippians. Your presentation of these Pauline letters made them ring loud and clear. I have always had difficulty understanding Paul’s letters, especially in the archaic Bible versions I have had to use in prison. Paul’s terminology is often complex and we do not have access to Bible commentaries and dictionaries in prison. But ABA takes great care to explain complicated phrases and words. I now have a much better understanding of Paul, his audience, his faith and his concern for the early Christians. He cautioned so many times that they not follow false teachers, but rather love and serve one another. Your courses take us deep into the Word by translating from the Greek language into the English. I have found ABA teachers are gifted in helping their students comprehend the message God is teaching us. My favorite ABA teacher is Kenny Boles. He makes even the most difficult passages understandable. Things I had almost given up trying to comprehend now make perfect sense to me. Brother Boles has provided me with spiritual blessings that will last a life time. Because of him, because of you, because of the ARM supporters, but most importantly because of what I have learned, I am obligated to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ my Lord.” FROM A SPANISH PRISONER IN IL: “Thank you to those who have provided my ABA Bible study courses free of charge. These brothers and sisters have been, are, and will be an enormous blessing to me for the rest of my life. There are not enough words of appreciation, even in Spanish, to express my gratitude for all of you have done for me. These courses have been ‘as gentle and fruitful as the springtime rains upon the grass – like showers that water the earth!’ Ps. 72:6.

ABA prisoners would not have to send ‘thank you' letters. They do so because they want to. I hope you enjoy reading them! Oh, the beauty of thanksgiving. Jesus saw it in the leaper and you and I can see it in these letters.

Documents

American Rehabilitation Ministries, Inc. PO Box 1490 Joplin, MO … Notes from... · 2020-01-15 · American Rehabilitation Ministries, Inc. PO Box 1490 Joplin, MO 64802 Phone: 417-781-9100