Joshua 24: 15 - Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.

We would suggest that you pray generally for the inmates salvation, and the various issues such as forgiveness, guilt, loneliness, race relations, anger, worthlessness, bad news (no parole), loss of hope, fear (fear of man), sexual pressures, family, alcohol and drug addictions, etc. that they face when in an environment as such. Pray for those that are released on parole or day parole; that they will be able to function in the outside world again. Those that are already Christians need to be lifted up in prayer for strength to walk as a new Christian. Pray against the demonic influences that are present in this environment, and in the lives of the inmates. Pray for the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit to flow during the times of contact with the inmates.

We would also appreciate any material in the line of Christian books, pamphlets, magazines (such as Decision) and tracts that are pertinent to prison ministry, Bibles, etc. Please call Bob Ventura at 725-2733 if you have anything to donate. Bethel Christian Assembly Church, and St. George's Anglican Church of Brandon has a prison ministry fund set up if you desire to donate money. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes. Other churches in the future may want to consider this as an optional fund in their church for this ministry.

Peter is involved with one on one ministry Tuesday evening, and Chapel with Sections C and D (one hour for each section) on Wednesday evenings.  Mike Allen is working with Peter Wednesday evenings now. The first Friday of every month is being set aside and was started May 5^th for ministry with inmates in Section A - this being the first time ever to work in this area.  Life in Christ Fellowship Church along with Peter minister in song, sharing, and prayer. Only half an hour is allotted for three sub-units from Section A.  Pray for Ed, Orville, Johnny, Leslie, Keith (transferred), and Dominique who showed up for this first meeting.

There is power in prayer, and as volunteers we truly appreciate your prayers for the people listed below: GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU PRAY.

Bernie Mullins - BCI Chaplain; Peter, Bob and Allen - Volunteers; BCC Staff (Superintendent and Board of Directors) and Guards. Other volunteers that come into the prison to do one on one, church services or Bible Studies. Menno W.  Christian (in Rockwood now near Stony Mountain Prison)  He is on his last lesson in the Bible Study  pray for his successful completion of this course, and pray for deliverance from the addiction of alcohol (started a program on Dec. 6^th).  Pray for his family, close friends that are supporting his walk with the Lord, and the victims of his crime.

Bob Volunteer  Has a vision for a Christian Half-Way House, and Training Center for follow up with ex-convicts. Adolphus was transferred the middle of May to Dauphin Correctional Center at Dauphin, Manitoba. I will be writing to him there. Pray for the surgery he has to have on his nose. He is also taking medication for an allergy. Pray for his wife Sandra and two children. As of Tuesday May 16(2-3pm), I will be taking on another one on one ministry with Leslie in Section A. He is a young Native inmate who wants to learn how to be a Christian. Leslie would like prayer for his family - Rose, Chris, Pauline, Colleen, Brendan, Gary, Samantha, Darcy, Mayra (mother), Lazar (father) Marina, Audie, and William. I am involved now with the once a month Friday evening ministry sessions in Section A, as well as doing the prison ministry prayer sheet, prison ministry newsletter Setting The Prisoners Free@, and the possible newsletter A New Beginnings@ for the inmates (This is under review and will be considered for the month of July or August).

Peter  Volunteer - worked with Jeff who needs prayer for the anger in his life. Jeff is in Winnipeg. Peter is now working with a man named Tom. Tom needs prayer for salvation. Working with John who needs to be more grounded in his Christian walk, and wisdom to know what to do when released.

Matthew - Christian, and living in Winnipeg. Pray that his walk with the Lord will stabilize, and that he will get established in a church and find employment. Lately we heard that he has back-slid. Joe Medication for Aids is helping him feel better. Pray for a miracle healing in his life. . He went to Winnipeg to live with some friends, find a job, and appeal his case with the Welfare Board in Winnipeg.  The medical side of Welfare turned his request down here in Brandon. Pray for direction and wisdom in his new environment.

Andrew - Liver disease. He was released in April. He wants prayer for the hurt he has experienced in other church situations, and that his family would come together in love and togetherness.

Harold, Perry and Dale - guilt from the past. Gorden - Pray for a change of heart,  he says he will never change no matter how hard he tries. Past sins plague his life. Pray for his wife to come back to the Lord. Chris - has a vision for a Half-Way House. His walk with the Lord at this time needs clarification. Ernest - A desire to get back into the Word of God and get established in a church. Some contact was made with him after his release, but lately he has made no contact with anyone of us. Note Actual names are being used. PRAISE REPORTS - We may not know the outcome of our prayers, but we do know that the seed has been planted in their hearts and minds. God is in control, and through our faithful prayers, we will see victory. The first sessions with Leslie have gone very well. Pray for a stronger walk in his life with the Lord. God's anointing has been upon Bob as he ministers to Leslie, and God is doing a good work in Leslie at this time. I hear by letter from Menno, and he tells me things are going well for him. Prison Ministry website  http://home.westman.wave.ca/~newton7/ E-mail - [email protected] until July 11, 2000. See July Newsletter for updates.

Quote of the Month Wear a smile and have friends....scowl, and have wrinkles. George Eliot