FROM A PRISON INMATE

Thank you for the lessons you are providing me with as I grow in the Faith. Prayer is a blessing as I thank the Lord daily and pray for others, including family, prisoners, authorities, community and world.

I am 48 years of age with three children who I love with all my heart. Even though I haven’t seen them for over five years, they are all in my heart and I know the Lord is looking down on them. I pray that one day they will forgive my absence in their lives, even the forgiveness of my expartner who I have forgiven. Even if there is no forgiveness I pray for the person that they may know the Lord.

I recently wrote a letter to my tamariki telling them how the Lord works wonders and helps me through the Word and prayer. As I see myself I am a work in progress, and progress I am steadily making. For sure the Lord has corrected me in all sorts of situations which I am truly grateful for.

Being in prison has taught me a lot, especially patience, acceptance, forgiveness, listening, obeying authority, reaching out for help. I am not perfect but strive to be Christ-like in what I say and do. It really opens my eyes when I feel Satan is working to destroy people here and I’m constantly praying and blessing every day.

I pray for the mentally ill, vulnerable, weak, angry, frustrated people, especially unbelievers. I’m a work in progress, searching for the road of good, which the Lord is, and praying for help in reading the Word daily.

My chaplains here are awesome and do great work for our Lord. That is how I am and want to be. I’m ready to move on from this to bigger and better things that the Lord has planned for me and I am forever grateful.

This inmate is one of about 180 inmates in different prisons throughout Aotearoa who regularly receive and complete

MPA Bible Lessons. These lessons are available free of charge.

See our website (page 3) for these and other material. 22

12 Steps for Mental and Emotional Health

1. Take responsibility for your own decisions. 2. Be willing to take correction rather than offence from those who know better. 3. Develop the ability to accept short-term pain for long-term gain. Quick fixes are not the answer. 4. Have realistic expectations for both self and others.

Must be flexible. 5. Accept personal past. Learn the lessons but don’t repeat the mistakes. 6. Balance head and heart: Objective and subjective.

Don’t allow emotions to override logic. All head and you’ll dry up; all emotion and you’ll blow up. 7. Personal needs and wants must balance with others needs and wants. 8. Be careful making friends and who you trust. When you trust the right person there will be success. When you trust the wrong person there will be pain. Trust those who have been tested first. 9. Have worthwhile and achievable goals by which to make progress. 10. Have an inner sense of belonging and security. Don’t depend on others for this. 11. Have an inner sense of worth and value. We are all made unique by God. 12. Take care of your body seriously. Do not abuse it.

Mr and Mrs Keith and Enid Stoney in their home at Silverdale (North of Auckland), with Malachi, from MPA HQ in Whanganui. They have regularly supported the ministry of Maori Postal Aotearoa for many years. It is through people like them that the Lord sustains the work so that it can continue sending the Gospel to many people throughout Aotearoa.

Tena Koutou Katoa Anei Nga Korero Pai

Would you like FREE Bible Lessons for you or your Tamariki? Go online or fill in the form and send to: Maori Postal, PO Box 10, Whanganui 4500 We also have Lessons for Adults.

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Nau Mai Haere Mai