Feature Writer: Michael – Returning Citizen

1. If I am at your home or mine, and I disappear around 11 AM, 4 PM, or 9 PM, please look in the nearest bedroom.  I am probably sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for the officer to do his count round.  You can remedy this by yelling “Count’s clear!” at which time I will return to the normal operation of my day.
2. If we are having a meal in a restaurant and I lean over to the next table and ask someone there, “Are you going to eat that?”, please give me a gentle reminder that food is plentiful and available to me, and that I no longer have to ask others for the food they are not going to eat.
3. If you notice me trying to cut meat with a spoon, or trying to stab a piece of potato with the same spoon, just give me a gentle quick lesson on the use of both the long straight eating utensil and the utensil with all the points.

More of Michael’s guidelines will be in the next newsletter.

They are food for thought and even though they seem humorous on the surface, they are very real. 

Inside the Walls Serving Prisoners

      The numbers are dwindling at the Muskegon Correctional Facility as they prepare to close.  Recently it was announced Pennsylvania would send some of its prisoners to the Muskegon Facility.  If it is God’s desire, the Celebrate Recovery® Inside classes will resume with the new clientele.  Please pray for the men who are transitioning to and from this facility.

Outside the Walls Mentoring Returning Citizens 

      Jim continues to pick up 3-5 men on a weekly basis for Monday night Bible Study, Thursday morning Bible Study, Friday night Community Recovery, Saturday Men’s Breakfast, and Sunday morning worship service.  Jim lifts up and encourages the men daily.  Jim’s wife, Linda, is hoping some more men will come forth to help with transportation and mentoring.

Ministry Home for Christian Returning Citizens

       PRAISE GOD! PRAISE GOD!       On Dec. 29, 2009 Living Water Ministry Network purchased their first home for returning citizens!  The home was a foreclosure and we had to move quickly to secure it!  As some of you may recall, when T’s 4 Him dissolved, they gifted Living Water $36,445 in Oct. 2008 for a purchase of this nature.  We purchased this new home for $33,327 so the necessary renovations plus insurance will exceed the gift.  Funds from the Gunn trust were presented to Living Water to continue what Carl had so faithfully begun.  It was his desire to have a home for returning citizens and now it has become a reality.  Praise the Lord! The new Ministry Home is a 4-plex with two 2-bedrooms, kitchen, bath, and living room downstairs and two 1-bedrooms, kitchen, bath, and living room upstairs.  It came with 4 refrigerators, 4 stoves, 4 gas furnaces, 4 nice kitchen countertops and a coin operated washer and dryer.  The major work needed is a small part of the roof, 6’x12’, which needs to be replaced and constructed on a slant, then covered with a small deck.  It needs minimal maintenance work:  painting, one front porch replacement, replace/restore 2 sets of kitchen cabinets, carpet cleaning, and possible carpet replacement in one apartment.  We will need to fully furnish the 4 apartments with basic furniture, towels and bedding, and kitchen supplies:  cooking and eating utensils.  When returning citizens come to this home directly from prison, they have nothing except the clothes on their back.  We will keep you posted on the progress.  Returning citizens will be doing the work under the supervision of Robert, one of our Board members.  The goal is to have some men living there by the end of January and then continue to renovate the remaining apartments.  Your prayers for this Ministry Home are gratefully appreciated.

      God works in observable ways.  Last month we mentioned Sylvester moved into the Ministry House that Living Water is managing.  As you may recall, Brian sponsored Sylvester and Brian’s wife, Diane, was the realtor that alerted us and closed with us on our new Ministry Home.  Thank you, Brian and Diane.

      Two men have moved into the Ministry House we are managing:  Keith on Dec. 14 and Joseph on Dec. 28.  Welcome!  Terry left, moved out, owing a sizable balance.  Sylvester continues to seek employment and, in the meantime, contributes much of his time doing volunteer work at the church and at Community Recovery.  Now he, along with others, are looking forward to working on the new house. 

Outreach Ministries 

      New Community Church continues to collaborate with Exodus, serving a pre-Christmas dinner.  Many volunteers from New Community Church, both East and West, plus Community Recovery volunteers graciously served the Christmas dinner.  Community Recovery’s Praise and Worship Team provided spiritual music that touched many hearts.  “O Holy Night” brought joyful tears to many.  Exodus is a men’s transitional living from missions, prisons, and shelters to society.

Executive Director’s Message – Jim Bright 

      Our web site is still under construction and hopefully will soon be running smoothly.  Linda and Julie are working with the computer technicians.

      As we move from 2009 into 2010, we look forward to the many challenges God has in store for us.  We give thanks to Him for each new man he brings to Living Water Prison Ministry.  We anticipate the work God is planning to do in us and through us.  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

      I would personally like to thank all those who have prayed for and/or donated to this ministry.  Your faithfulness and support keeps this ministry alive and growing.  I appreciate each one of you. 

      Have a blessed and prosperous New Year in the love and joy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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