2007 - 11 - November
THE Grapevine NEWSLETTER > November 2007
Matthew 25 Ministries, Inc., A Ministry of Prison After-care
P.O. Box 5690, Lake Worth, FL. 33466
Dick & Maggie Witherow
Contact Us | (561) 432-9072
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Christmas is Coming… Support Us by Shopping!!!
How can I suppport Matthew 25 Ministries by shopping?!? Read more about it below…
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PRAY, PRAY, PRAY
There is real spiritual warfare going on regarding our attempt to obtain a loan to purchase the mobile home park in Leesburg.
We are having to pay 10% interest on a $960,000 loan, and our closing costs will be close to $40,000. If we could locate a private lender, we could cut those closing costs in half.
Dick is feeling the pressure resulting from these attacks. We need some real prayer warriors to engage the enemy, that we might have a breakthrough. Not for us only, but for other ministries that are assisting men and women coming out of prison; and for those ex-offenders who are being oppressed through unjust laws who are having difficulty finding work and housing. The attacks against them and our ministry are unrelenting, but prayer will break the back of the enemy.
“We’re so proud of you; you’re so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have come down on you. We tell everyone we meet in all the churches all about you. All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You’re suffering now, but justice is on the way”.
2 Thessalonians 1 in the Message Bible.
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“Le Book“
After many months of labor Dick has finished writing the book “The Modern Day Leper”. It is hoped that God will use this book to open the eyes of many who have been misled regarding the degree of threat, or lack thereof, when sex offenders come into our communities. We haven’t decided whether to submit it to a publisher or if we should publish it ourselves. But, for now, you can download a free copy of the manuscript from our web site.
Click here to Download The Modern Day Leper (PDF)
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NEW, INOVATIVE, EXCITING
These are words we use to describe our Online Shopping Mall and Bookstore. Now you can buy all your personal, business, church and ministry supplies through our “state of the art” Online Shopping Mall. Not only will you receive discounts, but a portion of the sale goes to support Matthew 25 Ministries. Just log onto our web site and you’ll see the invitation to shop. You will find recognized names like iTunes, Macy’s, Petsmart, Staples, Wal-Mart and many others. There is a Christian Bookstore with an unparalleled selection of Christian books, bibles, music, etc. SupportThisMinistry.com has developed partnerships with hundreds of online stores. Isn’t this great? In addition to your regular giving, you can add to your support of this ministry by buying items you were going to buy anyway, at our Online Mall, just in time for Christmas!!
How can I suppport Matthew 25 Ministries by shopping?!?
Shop Now! | Fact Sheet (PDF) | Promote Your Business & Support Us Too! (PDF)
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CHRISTMAS CAROLING
Those who would like to join us for caroling in several prisons and a nursing home on December 14th need to let us know now. We will make arrangements for them to obtain clearance to enter the prison facilities. Contact Dick at (561) 432-9072 for details.
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LOCKING ARMS
Recently we attended a Prison Aftercare Seminar conducted by Prison Fellowship. They presented their pilot program for assisting ex-offenders transitioning back into society. They are seeking volunteers that will mentor prisoners during the last year of their incarceration and their first year back in society. It has been demonstrated that when prisoners have someone who is willing to come alongside them as a mentor, they can make it. But, without this type of support, many fail in their attempts to stay out of prison. Our country now houses over two million of our citizens in prison. Each year 600,000 prisoners are released, and two thirds of them will return to prison.
Presently Prison Fellowships mentoring program is only operating in Broward County, however they have plans to expand to Palm Beach and Dade County in the near future. We have chosen to assist them in recruiting volunteers in Palm Beach County.
This is a great opportunity for the person who wants God to use them to make a difference in someone’s life. Anyone can be a mentor. It takes no special skills. You simply need the ability to care for others and to show it by visiting them in prison and continuing to mentor them for that first year after they are released. We have wanted to establish this type of mentoring program with our ministry and welcome the opportunity to lock arms with Prison Fellowship. One of the things they do so well is provide training for all their volunteers. The campaign slogan for this program is “Help Unlock The 2nd Prison”
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Body Counts and Culture
We hear the drumbeat of the media of the soldiers killed in combat, but why aren’t we just as concerned about the carnage in our own neighborhood? In the five-year war in Iraq we have lost nearly 3,800 lives, while in 2006 alone 12,658 Americans were murdered on our own soil. Our crime problem is increasingly fueled by alienated and abandoned youth left to find their destiny in drugs, sex, and violent gang life. Add to that toxic brew the injustice of many of our sentencing laws, and the result is the highest incarceration rate in the world. Join us in seeking to take God’s truth to every aspect of life. Join us on a journey with Jesus that refuses to give up hope.
Excerpts taken from Prison Fellowship’s October Jubilee Newsletter.
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UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Nov. 6th - Chapel Services Martin. C. I.
Nov. 11th - Chapel Service Okeec. C. I.
Monday’s – Alcoholics Victorious Meeting Glades C. I. *
Tuesday’s – Bible Study Okeec. C.I.*
Tuesday’s - Anger Management, Okeechobee Jail.
Wednesday’s Sexual Purity Glades C.I.*
Thursday’s - Woman’s Work Release. *
Thursday’s - Kairos Broward C.I.
* These programs are conducted by volunteers