Letters from Prison

Here are some excerpts from letters or notes we received in December that will hopefully bless your hearts as they have ours.

Larry,
Hello, how are you doing these days?…I just wanted to thank you Larry for introducing me to God. My life has taken a complete turnaround since I was out on the street.
I used to cuss God a lot, now I want to praise Him. I feel so much better in my mind and heart now. I got signed up for church and Bible study here (LCI). I only got to go one time so far, but it was great. I go on Thursdays since there are too many people to go on Sunday. I guess the day doesn't matter, the best thing is that I'm able to go.
The more that I read the Bible, the more that I want to know about Jesus and all the wonderful things he has done. And for that Larry Jarvis, I have you to thank. It's funny what a terrible person that I was on the street, lying, stealing…a drug using sinner and now I have no desire to do anything bad. All I want to do is help the people the best that I can. I have never been so free in my life. It's not just jail talk from me Larry. My heart has changed in me.
Steve (serving a year in prison)

To: Mrs. Sue Jarvis
Ms. Jarvis I want to really thank you for all you have done for me. You have really helped me through the good times and the bad times and God bless you for that. Please keep me in your prayers.
Gwen

Dear Larry and Sue,
Hello my first true Christian family. It was great to receive your Christmas card. What a blessing it was. Sounds like you are pretty active..energy. Pray for energy J ….
Jeff (serving 20 years in prison)

Larry,
Greetings my friend! I pray that this letter finds you in good health…first of all I want to thank you with all my heart for your visit. I never thought on God's green earth, anyone would visit me. Especially someone to visit me who knows me only from the wrong I have done…I thank our ever-loving Father for bringing you into my life, Larry. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for you.

This incarceration has been quite different from any that I have had before. It has been more about loving and doing something different…caring about how others feel and not my own feelings. …I still have my many problems, but they do not seem as dramatic and the Lord in His infinite wisdom has been showing me a lot of my pain and sorrow has been self-induced. Now … when I am singing or thinking about the words to Jesus I am no longer have my eyes on the things of this world, but looking up takes away all the pain. It is like you tell me all the time, “Seek the kingdom of God and all other things will come.”

…..Hi Larry, I'm back and refreshed. Today is a good day, but I can feel my new cellie getting underneath my skin. But there is no excuse no matter what he does. That is my evil nature and no matter what it tells me, I will not act toward it that way. It will become weaker and weaker, because I will do nothing that will cause another to fall. I must walk in peace. Oh, last night before I fell asleep, I thought about you and Saturday night movies at Medina and I hope that all went well and you got someone to think about turning from their sinful nature…

Larry, I didn't think I'd be happy being locked up this Christmas, but I thought how selfish I am not wanting anyone to have fun ….however, … It is Christ's birthday and the day God began His ultimate plan for God's salvation. In my present circumstance, this is my first true Christmas. It is very important to me. It represents my way of leaving worldly materialism for my true inheritance in Heaven.

I love you Larry and thank you for choosing me to be one of your friends!
George (serving 2 years in prison)

To a very dear friend,
God bless you Sue. I have been blessed to have you as a part of my life. You are my guardian angel. I wish to stay in touch … I want to thank you for everything. You have been such an inspiration in the word of God and the Christian way to live.
Nancy (on leaving the jail)

And then we got this one, that made Susan cry. Bill has spent six years behind bars already and refused to write. He said to forget him, it was easier that way. Well for six years Susan has stubbornly written to say that she hasn't forgotten him. Finally, a letter…

Dear Sue and Larry,
Thank you for the Christmas card. It was nice to hear from you again. I know that I have not written in many years and I apologize. As you can see from my graduation picture (an associate's degree from college while in prison after getting his GED at our jail with Susan), I have not given up on my education.

Sue, I owe you and Larry a lot of thanks for that. You never gave up on me and always took the time to help me. “Thank you!”

I still read everyday. However, I do not read my Bible. It is a long story and not one you would like. That is one of the reasons you have not heard from me in so long. I have been ashamed of the fact I do not read my Bible anymore. I still believe but I have lost my faith that God loves me and cares about me.

When I was in County Jail, I felt His love through you and Larry. You really helped me understand so much and gave me a reason to believe. But it is not like that here in prison. I hope to one day sit down and talk with each of you again when I get out. I have changed a lot over the years and for the good. But I still feel empty inside without my faith. I promise to explain in to you one day.

I Love you both… Bill (serving 11 years in prison)