Sorry it has been so long for this update. I have been moved several times, and my mail has not followed me. It has been weeks since I have gotten mail. Someone decided I should be separated from another inmate who is apparently fighting the IRS so that we don’t get involved in “criminal activity.” We have different judges and different issues and I am sure that neither of us want to get in any “criminal activity” separately or together.
I had begun sharing Christ with this man and he was beginning to ask questions. Although I barely know him and had spoken with him only a few times, I was earnestly praying that God would allow me to be instrumental in his salvation.
Instead, I was moved to Marianna, Florida. The only place they had to keep me was the suicide watch cell in solitary confinement! It was a seven foot by fourteen foot cell. Its concrete slab in the middle to sleep on was surrounded by steel rings used for tying people down. I got out one hour a day to exercise in a bigger cage, but for eight days, it was just the Lord and I.
That was quite an experience! God was so good. I sang every song that I could remember and read the “Good News Bible” that they had there. It was a very hard experience, but a time of revival for me as well. I pray that I do not have to endure it again.
Then I was told I was being moved. I had leg irons, hand cuffs, and a waist chain for the entire six and-a-half hours. The restraints get real uncomfortable real quick. I was moved to Tallahassee, a much nicer holding facility with about forty other men. There was a small library area with a small table where I could read and study. It was clean, well-lit, and quiet. The best CO’s I have encountered were there. They treated the men firmly but with respect.
I had the opportunity to read several books that I have been wanting to read for a long time. Frank Peretti’s book “This Present Darkness” was especially encouraging to me.
I am also writing a new book, “Help, I’m a Public School Student.” I plan for it to be written in an “E-mail” format with students writing in questions for me to answer and geared for the Junior High and High School student. Although it is more difficult to write without any research materials or my computer, I am making progress and have about twenty-five pages written so far.
Next, I was told I was being moved to South Carolina via a transfer in Atlanta. After being taken out at 4:45 a.m., God answered my prayer to be allowed to be “the orderly” for the trip. The orderly passes out drinks and cleans up the messes. I was very grateful I was granted this privilege, because it meant that I did not have to be chained for the three hour trip.
I witnessed to a famous man during this part of the journey. He was not open to the gospel, but I pray that the seed I planted will be used by God to help reach him for Christ.
At present I remain in the United States Penitentiary, a maximum security facility. I am told that I will again be moved without notice at some future time. I must close as my four-inch pencil dulls so quickly!
I continue to plead to God for my wife’s sentencing, for the CSE Team and the Creation Ministry, for a Stay request to be granted while our case is on appeal, and for our case to be overturned.
Above all, God is still in charge. Thank you to those of you who have been faithful in supporting us with prayer and finances. Thank you!
The prison system is an incredible mission field! The needs are so great that it is overwhelming. The federal system gives long sentences so many inmates are very depressed and angry. I continue to try to minister to the many, many hurting people with whom I come in contact. Let’s each continue yielding each day to HIS leading for HIS glory.
Kent