Calendar year 2005 was a
productive one for Wings of Eagles. Both Bill and I did a lot of
teaching, I held four classes each week and Bill one. We have
learned over the 25 years (‘06 is our 25th year of ministry) of
our history, that what new believers are taught as theology very
early in their Christian life, stays with them sometimes
forever. We have seen the results of bad teaching, and have seen
how long it takes for that error to be turned to truth...THE
TRUTH! In most cases, many, many years. A few years back I
realized I could no longer travel all over the state to teach,
and be effective. I determined I could do the best job in prison
and still continue the “outside” work, the wives groups and
one-on-one with released men, if I concentrated on one prison
and more thoroughly work there, Southern was my choice, I was
the first volunteer approved there when they opened in 1983, and
have a terrific rapport with the administration and staff. All
of this facilitates good ministry to the men there. We have a
correspondence arm, conducted by the widow of an inmate. She
oversees our inmate mailing list, corresponds and sends
individual cards to hundreds, and has cultivated pockets of men
in prisons in other states. To those men we supply cards, Bibles
and devotional materials. New Jersey has many units called
“satellites,” extensions of hard prisons and used for specific
categories of inmates. We give the previously mentioned (and
other allowable items on request) materials to those units also.
Those who support Wings need to clearly understand that
statistics tell us 92% of our inmate population (currently
36,000) WILL be released...who do you want for a neighbor?
Some years back, the
DOC determined they could no longer afford to fund the prison
libraries. I will make no comment to you on the importance of
reading materials to idle men, I will just tell you that Wings
has contributed thousands of books, mainly Christian but also
quality novels and condensed books. Each week, I pull into the
Chaplains office, a travel cart filled with Daily Breads,
Guideposts, Sunday School teaching materials, paper handouts
such as we get in our bulletins. etc. We are doing what we can
to supply decent reading material to the whole population, as
well as update the book and video library that is part of our
office. Each evening, one of our teachers aides is allowed to
show a Christian video in the academic building, Wings “created”
the video library and updates it on a continuing basis. We
purchase cases of paperback Bibles, special greeting cards for
the men to send to family members, special in that Chaplain Ray,
an international prison ministry supplies ministries such as
ours with cases of 1000 cards and envelopes for $60.00. The men
who show promise as Bible students may be given a MacArthur
study Bible for his personal use. We purchase these and keep
them on hand, give them out selectively. You may remember
From previous years
that we supply home baked dessert for Southern’s annual
Christmas event, something we have done from the beginning of
our tenure. This should give you a pretty good overview of what
we are currently actively doing. I have not addressed the issue
of wives groups, when I finish my total report there will be
letters from some of the wives, moms and former inmates. Enough
to say, I meet with five different groups and a varying amount
of individuals, with the sole purpose of support and advising to
a select group of people, in out-of-the-ordinary situations.
I do have a couple of
plans in my head, and in the works. This year I hope to get a
group of former inmates, in some cases along with their wives,
approved to carry on the work of Wings in (eventually) all
fourteen state prisons and their various satellites. This is
quite a challenge, since New Jersey does not like allowing
former inmates into their facilities, even though they who have
succeeded are the best testimony in the world! I am also in the
process of having a video made on our history, and a friend and
I are writing a book on Wings.
Our financial
situation remains the same, whatever God sends in, I spend. Our
budget is extremely small, ‘05 total was just over $29,00.00 and
many times large purchases such as cases of Bibles, have to wait
until money is accumulated. It always comes in. I want to tell
you that I am very grateful to those of you that have been
generous and consistent. Every missionary I know believes
themselves to be under supported, sometimes because their
mission board says they are. I have never felt that way, always
looked at my finances as a primary way for God to direct me,
either forward or to stay still.
Personally, I am
well...for a 68 year old lady. You can pray that my cataract
surgery, scheduled for February 2nd will be successful, I am
really looking forward to being able to “see” again! I trust you
will be informed by this correspondence, and when my complete
report is finished I will send a few copies to those of you who
would like them..
God Bless YOU Richly…
