This week I opened my post office box to find fruit! It contained more letters, written from prisoners, that have read my books. It never gets old to hear from those that have been so touched by the Lord in these books that they feel the need to reach out and tell me about it.
One in particular really stood out . . .
Nicholas writes to ask if I will pray with him and his family, and he tells me his story. Everyone has a story to tell, but the truth of the matter shines through. Another inmate’s letter clearly indicates he’s looking for an outside connection, he tosses in a few spiritual phrases to show me he’s on track but there is plenty of evidence in his letter to the contrary. Nicholas, however, lays no blame but to himself. He takes full responsibility for his choices and actions and is repentant. One can be remorseful, but only that he got caught. This man began reading the Bible while in solitary, broke down at Psalm 51, repented and gave his life over to God. Nicholas continued reading the Bible, over and over and over. He came out of isolation so full of the Word that he began a daily Bible study– preaching on Sundays, 19 men got saved!
The fruit of his genuine repentance is that it didn’t stop there . . .
Nicholas remains engaged in prison ministry; preaching every Friday night, leading services in the chapel, as well as preaching and ushering in Sunday services. He has taken 29 correspondence courses and helps inmates study for their GED. He enrolled in, and has now completed, one semester with Duke University Divinity program, called Project Turn. It is part of Duke’s grad program. Ten inmates are selected to take classes side by side with Duke University grad students; and if that weren’t enough, Nicholas, was recently selected to the board of directors for the Genesis Project; an inmate-led program, teaching inmates to become the sons, fathers and husbands God meant them to be.
Like I said, genuine fruit!
After reading Nicholas’ story, I contacted the ministry that distributes my books to prisons, jails and rehabs all across the country, hoping they could send him the rest of the book series; only to find she was about to contact me. Joyce, of Prison Book Project, tells me they have distributed all the books I have given them. I lost track of the exact count but well over 6,000 books! She said they don’t have a single book left. Is there anyone out there with the means and a willing heart to help? I have poured everything I could get my hands on, into providing books these last four years and now I must deal with some long overdue house repairs! To date I have not taken so much as a dime from any of my books, but have turned every cent of sales into more books to place in the hands of inmates and the homeless. I so appreciate everyone who has helped so far, are there more that would like to be a part of this important mission?
There are many men, like Nicholas, the Lord would like to reach!
Give the Gift of Compassion
All, “His Voice in My Heart” books, along with “Comfort in the Challenge” are being sent, free of charge, to prisons, jails and rehab centers all over the country; and are offered freely to the homeless. If you would like to be involved, your donations are very much appreciated and are tax deductible.
You may donate by visiting:
Click on ‘Contributions’ and scroll down to the thumbnail pic of the prison bars image above, type ‘for prison books’ in the comment section. Checks may also be made out to Nation of Women Ministries, and sent to: 619 Roberts Cut Off Rd., River Oaks, TX 76114.
Please write ‘For Prison Books’ on the check. Paying by check saves 3% of the order going to credit card fees. Thank you so much!
Your generous donation will be used for printing and sending vital books to a lost, broken, and hurting world–those hidden from society, but not hidden from God!
Comfort in the Challenge is a special book, given to Canaanland. Other than what is sent free to prisons, general sales of this book is given to Canaanland Ministries of Autagaville, Alabama. For over 40 years this wonderful ministry has taken in men, struggling with addiction, some facing jail. They house them, teach them, and pour love on them for an entire year free of charge. Their success rate in transforming these men’s lives is so tremendous that judges in that area often give the option, jail or Canaanland!
You may donate to them at the following website:
“Comfort in the Challenge” was written and published in November of 2019. It was written and dedicated to caregivers, before we knew of Covid 19.
My publisher had rejected the original title, stating that the Lord had spoken this to her, “Comfort in the Challenge.”
He had prophetically provided, in advance, for what He knew we were about to face.
Glory to God!
A special thank you to my publisher, Cindy Neathery, and to Prison Book Project, for making all of this possible!
Did you know that an individual can no longer send books into prisons? Books were being sent in laced with drugs, resulting in many deaths. Now, inmates can only receive books direct from a publisher, book-placing ministry, such as Prison Book Project or direct purchase through companies, such as Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Unfortunately, this is now the world we live in; therefore, I am all the more so very thankful for Prison Book Project’s wonderful ministry!
Please consider a generous donation to their ministry to help with the costs of shipping these books by visiting:
Home
Thank you so very much for considering partnering with this vital ministry! The good fruit is revealing itself, and I so appreciate your help, financially and in prayers.
Please place Nicholas and his family in your prayers as well. He has 21 more years, but as his transformation continues, it is my hope and prayer that he be reunited with his family much sooner. He has four children.
To God be all Glory!
“God, give me mercy from your fountain of forgiveness! I know your abundant love is enough to wash away my guilt. Because your compassion is so great, take away this shameful guilt of sin. Forgive the full extent of my rebellious ways, and erase this deep stain on my conscience. for I’m so ashamed. I feel such pain and anguish within me. I can’t get away from the sting of my sin against you, Lord! Everything I did, I did right in front of you, for you saw it all. Against you, and you above all, have I sinned. Everything you say to me is infallibly true and your judgement conquers me.” Psalms 51:1-4 TPT
“Identify with those who are in prison as though you were there suffering with them, and those who are mistreated as if you could feel their pain.” Hebrews 13:3 TPT
Love and Blessings to you, Lori J. O’Neil
Wordscroll 
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