Your Letters, Great Angel Tree, In this issue: p.2 Exchange, p.3 p.4

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PRISON FELLOWSHIP’S NEWSPAPER FOR AMERICA’S PRISONS VOLUME 22, NO. 2 SPRING 2013 From Heist to Healing by A.R. Quinn to drug trafficking. A few years after his daughter was born, he effery Hopper has a got in over his head, and his picture of himself and entire family relocated to Las his daughter, Amanda, Vegas, Nev., to protect his life. sitting on the couch Jeffery had gotten divorced J when she was just a from Amanda’s mother, and little girl. he didn’t see his daughter as “She adored me. I was her often as he wanted. Amanda world,” Jeffery remembers. “I was the only good thing in his destroyed it by going to prison.” life. He fantasized about mak- ing enough money to take her “We’ll all go down somewhere they could live in together” peace, but his dream of a big Jeffery grew up in Port Nech- score backfired. es, Texas, where he adopted a Jeffery, his father, and one of criminal lifestyle early on. his brothers stole $1.1 million “I had no Christian upbringing from the Stardust Casino in a whatsoever,” he recalls. “Bibles heist that made headlines in were not allowed in my house.” April 1992. But they were soon Instead, his father taught him caught, and authorities threat- to have a survival-of-the-fittest ened to charge the entire Hop- mentality, taking whatever per family – including Jeffery’s he wanted. uninvolved mother and sisters “If I wanted a bicycle or a – with crimes. car,” he says, “I had to buy it or “My dad said, ‘Fine, we’ll steal it. I stole it.” all go down together,’” Jeffery

Despite spending a week in remembers, but he knew he Brandon Gouthier Photo by jail at age 14, Jeffery mostly couldn’t let that happen. “I real- avoided the consequences of ized that what we do hurts other Jeffery entered prison a bitter, broken young man, but behind bars he found new purpose for his life, and he’s a great role model to his two sons (seen here in the background). his actions, until he graduated people – my daughter, my Continued on page 2 Becoming a Better Dad A Q&A with Gregory Slayton Finally he was completely out to spend with his teenagers all children, there is no more regory W. of our lives. It was painful and the time. It was a big Catholic important job than being a Slayton is a difficult. We always had food family. The dad made sure to father. Fathers are critical to the successful and a home, and I went to col- take the teenagers out to lunch futures of their sons and daugh- businessman, lege. There were lots of bless- or dinner even though he was a ters. Statistics bear this out. best-selling ings, but my childhood was very busy executive. …When you One of the primary drivers of a G author, former really not a happy one. stripped away the cultural con- young person’s success or fail- ambassador to Bermuda, and text, there were a lot of similari- ure in life is the input they get Gregory Slayton (most importantly in his eyes) IJ: So how did you learn how ties across the continents. This from their mom and dad. We all to be a good dad? Photo courtesy of Gregory Slayton the father of four children. journal was just for myself and know – those of us who didn’t tion – what enables us to While living on five conti- trying to learn to be a good dad have real dads growing up – we change the tide of history and Gregory: I became a Christian nents, he took notes about myself. But then some of my all know painful it is to not have be a good father when we didn’t in college. I really wanted to what excellent fathers had in friends encouraged me to turn a father you can depend on. have good fathers growing up? get married, but I didn’t have common. His journal became it into a book about fatherhood. We all make mistakes, but to at The most important thing for an idea of how to be a good the basis for Be a Better Dad By God’s grace, Regal Publish- least have someone who cares me was recognizing that I had a father. I thought I would just Today: 10 Tools Every Father ers published it last spring and about you – even flawed – is far Heavenly Father. My earthly fa- try to do the opposite of my Needs, a book published in it has now sold over 65,000 better than having nobody! The ther had abandoned me, but it own father. But I realized that 2012 by Regal Publishers. copies. My wife and I decided challenge for our generation didn’t matter because my Heav- wasn’t going to work. I needed Inside Journal sat down with at the very beginning that we is – are we going to abandon enly Father loved me. It took me positive role models and good him to ask how incarcerated would give all our royalties to our children, or are we going a long time to understand that examples. So I kept a journal fathers can still contribute to Christian fatherhood and family to have to a better relationship deep in my heart. That’s a criti- about fatherhood for myself as their children’s well-being. charities, so we hope the book with them than we had with our cal reality. The second principle I traveled the world and lived has been a double blessing in fathers. is understanding how deeply on five different continents. I IJ: What was your family expe- that way. our children need us. They may watched good dads around rience like growing up? IJ: Can men be great dads even not say or show that, but that the world and how they oper- IJ: Just how important are if their own fathers were less doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Even ated. For example I remember Gregory: I didn’t have a real dads? than ideal? our teenagers need us, even if a really good dad in Buenos father when I was growing up. they can’t express it. They want Aires, Argentina. He made time He was in and out of our lives. Gregory: For men who have Gregory: That’s a great ques- us to be involved in their lives. Continued on page 2 Inside Journal | Spring 2013 1 Becoming a Better Dad circumstances we have to ask Continued from page 1 for forgiveness. If we’ve hurt Your Letters IJ: What about dads who are another person – and if we our- far away – what can they selves have been hurt – we have “I spent 48 days in the SHU old daughter … has struggled do? to learn to forgive and ask for between Terre Haute and a lot in my time gone and this forgiveness. That’s an important Elkton waiting for transporta- gift has taken on special signifi- Gregory: Long-distance dads part of the healing process. An- tion and bed space. Spending cance for her. Last week at the are a rapidly growing cat- other tip is to start a fatherhood Thanksgiving and Christmas Washington County Fair, where egory, whether it’s because group with other dads at your in these places was no picnic my daughter was showing a of incarceration, military prison, so you can talk about but God was with me always! pig, my younger sister noticed service, or business travel. I challenges you have in common I wrote to my family encourag- that she was wearing the same myself was a long-distance and how to share them. That’s ing them not to exchange gifts U of O sweatshirt every day. On dad for over a year. For the the “secret sauce.” at Christmas but rather spend most afternoons it was nearly first year my family was in that money at Prison Fellow- 80 degrees. So my sister asked New York, I was living in Latin IJ: How can our readers get a ship for the great ministry you her if she wanted to wear a T- America. That was a 12-hour copy of your book? have. It also helped that I was shirt or a tanktop. My daughter flight. My number one tip is able to listen to Christian radio politely replied, ‘No thank you, this: Make sure your children Gregory: Last year our little know that you love them. Get foundation was deeply honored in Pittsburgh where I heard the I wear this sweatshirt every day write this letter to pass on the on the phone. Write them a to partner with Prison Fellow- fundraiser for Prison Fellowship because my Daddy got it for happiness and joy your program letter every week. ship in providing fatherhood on WORD FM 101.5. I was me and I miss him!’ I could not has brought to my family told that my family did honor hold back the tears when my resources like the book to and me.” IJ: If a dad has burned his prison chaplains across the my request.” sister told me this and now I – D.E., Oregon – B.E., Ohio bridges with his children, nation. When these resources how can he start again? were shared with prisoners, they formed what we called “father- “We were very blessed to have Subscription Info hood fellowships” so that men [a church] volunteer to gift my Gregory: Reconciliation is a could get together and help children. My kids and I were At Inside Journal® (IJ), we receive many letters each week from in- slow process. Maybe you’re each other – with God’s help – amazed by both the afternoon mates asking for subscriptions to our newspaper. We are grateful for fortunate and maybe the become better dads. We don’t social events as well as the the interest and support of our readers – however, because of limita- first time you call home, your send copies of the book directly quality and quantity of gifts. tions on our staff and budget, IJ is only available in bulk shipments kids want to see you. But if you’ve caused pain in your to inmates. But if you are inter- Each of my four children was to your chaplain, programming coordinator, or a volunteer who visits kids’ lives, the path to res- ested, ask your chaplain if he given a sweatshirt of the univer- your facility. Chaplains, to set up these shipments for free, please toration is usually slow. For [or she] has a copy, or if not, he sity of their choice. Three bea- contact our editorial staff at P.O. Box 1790, Ashburn, VA 20146- most dads in that situation, [or she] can order one for the vers (OSU) and 1 duck (U of 1790 or [email protected]. (The previous issue incorrectly listed I recommend starting with a prison library. Chaplains can go O). The lone duck, my 13-year- the email address as [email protected].) heartfelt letter. In almost all to beabetterdadtoday.com. n

From Heist to Healing going to get even with – snitch- fell apart.” Continued from page 1 es, liars, people who betrayed “God told me to” me. [I wrote down] what they Jeffery studied his Bible had done and the punishment I behind bars, but he struggled family… I pled guilty and thought they deserved,” he says. to follow God after release. He agreed to testify.” At the Seagoville, Texas, wasn’t breaking the law and he Jeffery entered prison. In prison where Jeffery was still read Scripture, but he didn’t part, he was relieved to stop incarcerated, temperatures rose understand how it applied to looking over his shoulder – to unbearably high in the summer. his life, and he didn’t know stop dodging death. The only room with air condi- how to find a church to help tioning was the prison chapel. him grow. Jeffery and other inmates Things changed when Jeffery used to sit in the back of the was mangled by a five-ton ma- “I kept a list of chapel. Many slept through the chine at work in 1999. While he service. Jeffery thought the re- was in the hospital, a Christian people I was ligious volunteers were a “joke.” co-worker and his pastor came going to get even He tuned out their words about to visit him. God – until the chaplain talked “Why do you care? Why do with – snitches, about Prison Fellowship’s Angel you visit me? I’m not giving Tree program. Jeffery thought anything [to your church],” Jef- liars, people who about Amanda, and how nice fery said. it would be for her to receive a “God told me to,” the pastor betrayed me. [I Christmas gift that said he still answered. loved her. He signed her up. The pastor’s answer rekindled wrote down] what In December, Jeffery received Jeffery’s faith. He realized that they had done and a note from Amanda, her child- God could speak to him and ish letters written in pencil. She guide his steps, too – as long the punishment thanked him for the gifts and as Jeffery was listening. Wanting told him that she loved him. to grow more, Jeffery enrolled I thought they When he opened her note in seminary and studied to be- after mail call, Jeffery fought come a hospice chaplain. From deserved.” Brandon Gouthier Photo by tears. “Where I was, in prison, 2010 to 2012, he comforted After she received a Christmas gift through Angel Tree, you don’t cry. It says you’re the dying with the forgiveness Jeffery received a handwritten letter of thanks from his weak and a victim … The only and peace of God. When he lost daughter. He broke down crying when he opened it. way God got to me was through his hospice job, he went back my daughter – the only weak to construction work with a “When I look back on it, I spot I had,” he says. smile on his face. He knew God was teaching him about forgive- pretation of Scripture is,” Jeffery was rescued when I was ar- God had broken through Jef- had a plan for him, and he rested,” he muses. ness. He could no longer keep laughs. Now the married mother fery’s defenses of hatred. could serve Him wherever he a list of “enemies.” He had to of a baby girl, she even minis- But it didn’t feel like rescue On Christmas Eve, Jeffery’s was working. to five-year-old Amanda. When forgive and move on. ters to the women in a local jail. sister brought Amanda to visit Even while following God, Now Jeffery, a single dad, Jeffery still has a list, but a her daddy went to prison, she him. The little girl gushed about life hasn’t been easy for Jeffery. was devastated. uses old scars to minister to different kind. This year Jeffery the Angel Tree volunteers who When his second wife, the others in pain. has worked his way through had brought gifts to her home, mother of his two sons, left A Victory for Love He takes great joy in his role a call list of local churches, and who had told her about the because she “didn’t want to be as a father to his two boys, and recruiting them for the Angel Jeffery’s testimony spared love and forgiveness of God. a pastor’s wife,” Jeffery cried his mother and sisters, but his to grown-up Amanda, who fol- Tree Christmas program. He Amanda said that she loved out. He didn’t understand why lowed in his footsteps. has a compelling testimony to decision didn’t yet reflect a and forgave her dad. God would allow him to suffer change in his heart. He was still “She started going to church, persuade them. “I went to the chapel after for obedience. But over time, began to study, and will now “I know what it does,” he says. “angry at the world.” that,” remembers Jeffery, “and Jeffery came to realize that God “I kept a list of people I was challenge me on what my inter- “I know how far it goes.” n

2 Inside Journal | Spring 2013 The Great Exchange by Johnathan Kana overwhelmed by that word “guilty.” record that I, Johnathan Kana, had who was actually guilty wanted was waiving his valuable rights to Intellectually, I had come to court been there in the flesh that day. his companion to take the fall in a fair trial and due process. My vividly remember standing ready to accept responsibility They wanted proof that the same his place. The idea was that, since advocate refused to budge. before the district judge for my crime. Emotionally, not so individual who had actually com- his homeboy had the shorter “rap “Guilty, Your Honor.” at my final court hearing. much. When the judge spoke, mitted the offense was also the sheet,” he had less to lose. After the gavel fell, they ushered Several months before, I went from “accused” to “con- person who had stood accused I re-imagined that scene in this man who had spoken for I had agreed to a plea victed.” And conviction meant that and convicted before the judge’s the courtroom, standing before me to the side table, where they bargain with the prosecu- penal consequences would bench and who had entered cus- my judge as I prepared to enter required him to sign for my time. Ition, and now my holiday was soon follow. tody that day to bear the punish- my guilty plea. In my daydream, I The paperwork said my name, but up. Today I would finally enter my was not alone; I had an advocate the signature and thumbprint were guilty plea and surrender myself standing beside me. When the his: Jesus Christ. into the State’s custody. judge turned to me and asked As the bailiff led my Savior It is a scene that is perma- for my plea, my advocate away, he turned toward me and nently impressed upon my stepped forward. smiled. I looked back to the Judge, memory. “Guilty, Your Honor.” who was also smiling, His face I had already hugged my loved I watched as the judge shifted stained by tears. ones for the last time before his attention from me to the one “Not guilty,” He said. “Not entering the courtroom that morn- who had just spoken in my place. anymore.” n ing. I knew quite well that I would Instead of ordering him to step Johnathan Kana is an ex-prisoner and be leaving in handcuffs, and there back and keep quiet, the judge freelance writer. He lives with his wife would not be another opportunity reminded my advocate that he in central Texas. to say my goodbyes. My dad and fiancée would sit with me until the clerk called my name, but after that I would be on my own before Accept No Substitutes the judge. Where I was going, they could not follow. God is just. When you abuse His good gifts – your mind, body, and Pleading guilty to a crime is abilities – for your own selfish and wrong ends, the consequences a scary thing. I recall that, when are clear: you will be separated from God for all time. my turn finally came, the judge twice asked me whether I wished But God loves you so much that He came up with a plan to spare to persist in my plea, explaining you from the punishment you deserved – He paid the penalty that I was giving up my “valuable Himself, dying on the cross. He took the fall for you. Now He is rights” to a fair trial and other due ready to declare you innocent and free. In exchange, He is asking process. I suddenly felt very small for your heart and your life, so He can give you a future on earth and weak. Here I was, standing filled with peace, joy, and purpose, and life with Him in heaven before the man who held my forever. future in his hands, confessing Photos.com under oath that I had indeed The Bible is clear: if you want to get right with God, there is no committed the crime the pros- At some point I was ushered ment due for his crime. substitute for a relationship with Jesus. To get started, you might ecuting attorneys were accusing over to a side table where I No confusion. No substitutes. say a simple prayer like this. The words can be your own – just me of. Somewhere in the back of had to finally “sign for my time.” Just cold, hard justice. make sure it’s sincere. my mind I realized that this man Even in my emotional distress, I had complete say over my fate. thought it was odd that the State A New Verdict God, I accept Your great substitution. Thank You for sending Jesus He might probate my sentence or required this of me. Before the Several days later, while I was to take the fall for me. I want You in my life – as my Rescuer, my put me away for a very long time. bailiff slapped the handcuffs on waiting in the county jail to be loving Father, my Friend, and the Lord of my life. Please guide me me, they wanted me to declare transferred to the state prison as I walk in the path You have for me. Facing Conviction – in writing – that I understood system, I overheard a conversation Then came the dreadful the judge’s verdict and agreed to that changed my perspective on It’s a good idea to join a Bible study and talk to a chaplain to moment. submit to my punishment. It was that day in court. Two guys who help you continue in the decision to follow Jesus. Inside Journal “In view of the evidence before the first document I ever signed had been picked up on petty drug wants to help you, too. Write to “No Substitutes,” P.O. Box 1790, that required me to verify my charges were arguing about who the court,” the judge recited, “I Ashburn, VA 20146-1790, and we’ll help you sign up for a free hereby find you guilty as charged.” identity by placing my thumbprint should “take the case” for the correspondence Bible study and get access to a Bible, if you The judge said more after that, beside the signature. The State drugs. There was apparently some but all I remember during those wanted no mistakes: my thumb- confusion about who the drugs don’t have one. next few moments is feeling print would create a permanent actually belonged to, and the guy New Pope Washes Prisoners’ Feet by A.R. Quinn Washing your feet means I am Holy Thursday rite in Rome’s grand ing the feet of female prison- On this Holy Thursday, however, at your service,” Francis told the St. John Lateran Basilica, choos- ers, Francis has provoked some Francis was more concerned ome, Italy – Pope group, aged 14 to 21. ing 12 priests to represent the 12 controversy. about hope than about contro- Francis, the first “Help one another. This is what apostles whose feet Christ washed versy or church tradition. He had pope to come from Jesus teaches us,” the pope said. during the Last Supper before His a simple message for the young Latin America, spent “This is what I do. And I do it crucifixion. inmates, whom he greeted one- Holy Thursday at with my heart. I do this with my Before he became pope, as by-one after the Mass, giving each Casal del Marmo, a heart because it is my duty. As a archbishop of Buenos Aires, an Easter egg. Rjuvenile detention center on the priest and bishop, I must be at the former Cardinal Jorge Mario “Don’t lose hope,” Francis said. outskirts of the Italian capital. your service.” Bergoglio celebrated the ritual “Understand? With hope you can There he washed and kissed In a video released by the Vati- foot-washing in jails, hospitals, or always go on.” the feet of 12 young prisoners, can, the 76-year-old Argentinian hospices – part of his service to One young man then asked why including two women. The Holy was shown kneeling on the stone the impoverished and outcast. He he had come to visit them. Thursday foot-washing ritual is floor as he poured water from a often washed the feet of girls Francis responded that it was traditionally done by popes to silver cup over the feet of a dozen and women. to “help me to be humble, as a imitate Christ, who washed the youths: black, white, male, female, That Francis would include bishop should be.” feet of His disciples during the even feet with tattoos. Then, after women in his first Holy Thursday The gesture, he said, came last meal He shared with them drying each foot with a cotton Mass as pope was remarkable, “from my heart. Things from the before being crucified. towel, he bent over and kissed it. however, because current church heart don’t have an explanation.” n “This is a symbol, it is a sign. Previous popes carried out the rules exclude women. By wash- (SOURCE: Huffington Post) Wikimedia Commons Inside Journal | Spring 2013 3 Prisoners Raise Funds for Kids There, designated elders and LOY, ARIZ.—Every deacons of the inmate church year, hundreds play a vital role in advertising of thousands and administering the program. of inmates who “The second year that we otherwise couldn’t had Angel Tree,” explains Chap- Eprovide Christmas gifts for their lain Brunk, “I turned around to children do so through Prison [the inmate church leaders] Fellowship’s Angel Tree pro- and said, ‘Here is a wonderful gram. In 2012 some Arizona opportunity for you to bless prisoners decided to give back the inmates around you … You – in the amount of $3,300. should be letting guys know La Palma Correctional Cen- this is here to be a blessing.’ ter, a prison privately operated The inmates themselves got by the Corrections Corpora- really excited about it.” tion of America, houses 3,100 The inmate church at La men in several compounds. In Palma has the same goals for 2011, says Chaplain James itself as many churches on the Brunk, one in six inmates outside – to preach the Gospel signed their children up for and to care for the poor and Angel Tree, so the men have outcast. But because of the come to know and value how many restrictions that come the program enables them to with incarceration, it can be connect with their families. hard for the inmate church When Compound 2 held a at La Palma to fulfill what it fundraising food sale – offering believes to be its calling. items like slices from Pizza Hut Photos.com “[Angel Tree is] just about and hamburgers from MacDon- Prisoners at La Palma pooled their resources - and their appetites - to raise funds for a program that the only thing that we have that ald’s for sale to prisoners – an has benefited many of their children directly. enables the inmate church to inmate advisory council se- actually be able, as an exten- lected Angel Tree as the charity is all about,” says Chaplain cal charities, he says. This time, impact,” says Chaplain Brunk. sion of the Church at large, to to receive the proceeds. Brunk. however, at the suggestion of “There are Muslims and Wic- give, just to give. It is one of the According to Chaplain Brunk, Chaplain Brunk believes the inmate deacons and elders, cans on that council. For them pure examples here of the grace Angel Tree has been an impor- that Compound 2’s donation the nonreligious inmate advi- to have taken the advice of the of God that is just giving and tant part of inmate life at La to Angel Tree is a sign that the sory council made the unusual deacons and the elders and not expecting anything in return. Palma since shortly after the inmate church is being heard decision to give the funds to a gone for it speaks volumes That makes a huge difference, facility opened in July 2008. across the prison. The proceeds national, Christian ministry. about what [Angel Tree is] because that’s what the church from food sales usually go to lo- “Angel Tree is making an doing.” n Sign Your Children Up for Angel Tree!

What is Angel Tree? Maybe you’ve heard of Prison Fellowship’s Give Your Child a Gift It might still be summer, but now is the time to sign your children up to receive Angel Tree program, but you’re not sure how a Christmas present from you through Angel Tree. Applications must be it works. Angel Tree is a simple way to let your postmarked by September 3, 2013. You must ask your chaplain or program children know that you are thinking about them coordinator for an application, and either the chaplain or program coordinator at Christmas. must submit it for you when you are done. Angel Tree works like this: You fill out an There are some important restrictions to the Angel Tree program, so please application asking Angel Tree to give your child read carefully before filling out an application: a gift from you at Christmas (you can suggest what kind of gift you think your child would 1) You must be the child(ren)’s father, mother, stepfather, or stepmother. like). During the summer, your chaplain collects all the applications and sends them to Angel 2) There must not be a court order restricting your contact with the child(ren) or Tree. In the fall, Angel Tree volunteers call the person who takes care of your child to verify their caregiver(s). what gift your child would like to receive. Before Christmas, Angel Tree volunteers will buy and 3) Your child(ren) must live in the United States. wrap the gift. The gift will be delivered to your 4) Your child(ren) must be 18 years old or younger. child’s home or given to your child at an Angel Tree Christmas party along with a presentation 5) The form must be filled out completely and legibly. of the Gospel. Your child will be told that the gift is from you – their mom or dad who loves them! 6) The form must be signed. Plus, your brief, personal message to your child 7) The form must be postmarked by September 3, 2013. will be written on the gift tag.

Get an application and sign your kids up today! A special gift from you at Christmas will help them know that you love them, and it will connect them with a church that can come alongside your family in your absence. Best of all, it will give them an opportunity to experience the transforming love of © 2013 by Prison Fellowship INSIDE JOURNAL® is published 4 times a year Jesus Christ. by Prison Fellowship Ministries, P.O. Box 1790, Ashburn, VA 20146-1790, www.prisonfellowship.org • (703)478-0100

Angel Tree makes great efforts to serve every eligible child. Sometimes, Managing Editor, A.R. Quinn; Writers, Johnathan however, if we are unable to locate your children’s caregiver, if the caregiver Kana, A.R. Quinn; Graphic Designer, Sheri Powell refuses to participate, or if there are not enough Angel Tree volunteers in a A member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, local area, we may not be able to deliver gifts to your children. and the American Correctional Association.

Prison Fellowship® is a registered trademark of Prison Fellowship Ministries®.

4 Angel Tree® is a registered trademark of Prison Fellowship Ministries®. Inside Journal | Spring 2013