2007 - 01 - January
WHY HELP SEX OFFENDERS?
To answer that question, one needs to know that their has always been a segment of our society that has been the whipping boy. Their was a time that if you were black, you were an outcast. Also remember the slogan, “once a drunk, always a drunk”? Today, many believe that those who have acted out inappropriately sexually cannot be rehabilitated. In his efforts to bring light into this situation Dick has written extensively on this subject. His writings can be found here under Writings. Some of the subjects covered are as follows:
A MYTH AND ITS EFFECT: Have you heard that 90% of sex offenders will re-offend? That they never change? Learn the truth!
STRANGER DANGER: What should your response be if you learn that a sex offender has moved into your neighborhood?
THE PROBLEM: How can sex offenders coming out of prison put their lives back together when confronted with laws restricting where they can live, work and play? Will the law keeping sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of where children congregate make our communities safer?
Why would anyone want to go against public opinion and try to assist sex offenders in their efforts to integrate into our communities upon completion of their prison sentences?
Why would anyone continue to try to help when opposition comes from everywhere and others who have tried to help have been forced to throw in the towel?
Because God has put it into our hearts. The Lord does not abandon those who have repented of their sins. Because the facts concerning the numbers that re-offend show that in reality sex offenders (contrary to popular belief) have the lowest recidivism rate of any other classification of crime. Fewer sex offenders commit new crimes, than do drug dealers, burglars, robbers, or any other type of criminal.
THE BATTLE WAGES
The county commissioners in Okeechobee, Florida passed the ordinance that is supposed to make our communities safer from “sex offenders.” It provides that two or more sex offenders cannot live together outside of a treatment center unless they are related by blood or marriage, and they cannot live within 2,500 feet of any schools, daycare centers, parks or playgrounds. That means a sex offender in essence cannot live within a mile of anyplace where children congregate. Sounds good doesn’t it? However one who has been convicted of a sex crime and paid their dues, and is not one who is a real threat to children, would disagree! You see, only about one percent of those convicted of a sex crime are pedophiles that stalk children. These need to be either given a life sentence or if released closely monitored by law enforcement. Those who are not pedophiles and have served their time in prison need to be able to put their lives back together.
Not everyone agrees that the passing of this ordinance is a good thing. Since 99% of those convicted of a sex crime are not a real threat to our children, how does restricting where they can live, work and play make our communities safer?
It behooves us to look at the other side of the coin. How does this affect those who are not deserving of this hindrance on their living a productive life? To better answer that question I encourage you to read; “A Case Study” here under Writings.
IN WITH THE NEW
We are anticipating that God is going to do great things with this ministry in 2007. We hope and pray that He does great things in your lives also. May you and yours have a wonderful Christ centered New Year!
Dick & Maggie Get A Break
Maggie and I had a wonderful vacation. We flew to our daughter Bonnie’s house in Santa Ana, Calif. on Nov. 24th. Bonnie’s husband Ralph is a cancer survivor. They along with their daughter Faith, live in a 112-year-old Victorian style house. Ralph is a professional photographer and an artist. Bonnie is a gifted singer and an organizer. We affectionately refer to her as “The Choir Director of Life”. While we were there she and Maggie sang with a chorus in the production of Handel’s Messiah at the Richard Nixon Museum and Library. Bonnie also sang with a 300-member chorus at the City of Orange Tree lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3rd. They sang traditional Christmas carols interspersed with the reading of the Christmas story as found in Luke 1:26-35; 2:1-14. It was awesome! Speaking of awesome, Bonnie and our granddaughter Faith also were character actors in the performance “The Glory of Christmas” with continuous performances from Nov. 24 thru Dec. 30th at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA. This included live animals and angels flying back and forth several stories above ground. It also was based on the Christmas story as found in the Gospel of Luke.
Our son Len and his daughter Kaitlin came over from Phoenix so we could all have an early exchange of Christmas gifts. While in town we all spent the day at Disneyland. It was a great family outing and was Kaitlin’s first time at Disneyland.
GOD MOVED
On Dec. 14th twelve volunteers sang Christmas carols to the men and woman at the Work Release Centers in West Palm Beach. One of our alumni, Sarah Beatty gave her testimony and Dick challenged them to begin a new life with Jesus. Their were about 10 in each facility that gave their hearts to Jesus.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Jan. 2nd - Chapel Service Martin Correctional
Jan. 9-13 Gospel Crusade Ministerial Fellowship Convocation.
Jan 14th - Chapel Service Okeechobee C. I.
Monday’s PM – Alcoholics Victorious Meeting at Glades Correctional Institution. *
Tuesday’s AM - Sexual purity Okeechobee C.I. * Tuesday’s PM - Anger Management, Okee Jail.
Wednesday’s PM Bi-Weekly - Sexual purity Glades C.I. *
Thursday’s PM - How to have meaningful relationships. Woman’s Work Release Center. *
Thursday’s - Kairos Broward C.I.
* These programs are conducted by volunteers.