IN THIS ISSUE: Whose Are You? FOR WOMEN p.3 ® Crossword Puzzle INSIDE JOURNAL p.3 Find Your Identity YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND INFORMATION VOLUME 3, NO. 2 SPRING 2020 p.4

WHAT IS ANGEL TREE CAMPING? How a Struggling Single An extension of the Prison Fellowship® Angel Tree® Christmas program, Angel Tree Camping® Mom Found True Riches helps children ages 5 to 18 who have an by A.R. Quinn incarcerated parent or stepparent to attend was never able to a Christian summer be just an innocent camp* on a scholarship. child,” says Michelle To find out if there is an “ Payette. Angel Tree Camp near Her father was your child, you or your anI abusive man with legal child’s caregiver can troubles. Those troubles call 800.55.ANGEL eventually drove Michelle and (26435) to get her family from Illinois, her connected to the Angel birthplace, to the racetrack Tree Camping specialist town of Saratoga Springs, in your region. New York. Soon after, her parents got divorced, and *Camps are not owned or operated by Prison Fellowship. Michelle’s mother married a man who was a convicted felon, though Michelle didn’t know it until much later. she had the appearance of He ran an automotive shop success—a nice house, a car, that kept two sets of books. a family. But her marriage Michelle grew up thinking was unhealthy, and when Photo by Veronica Huang by Veronica Photo that it wasn’t quite legal, but she got pregnant again, her she figured that was just the When Michelle was a kid, she tried to grow up too fast and wound up as a young mom in a bad marriage. husband didn’t want the baby. way business was done. Then the lure of nice things and the appearance of a successful life eventually led to a prison sentence— Michelle ended that Her life lacked stability. which finally opened her eyes to what really mattered. pregnancy, but the decision To top it off, her mother was left her depressed—and depressed. she was told she’d be By the time she was 13, makeup and pretending to be through town. child, a daughter. She settled unable to conceive again. Michelle was spending her much older. She partied hard At 21, Michelle married an into motherhood and worked evenings in a bar, piling on with the rock stars who came older man and had her first for a salon. On the outside, Continued on page 2

How to Find Your Passions Behind Bars by Stacia Ray you joy when you were write a screenplay or stand- younger? Even those of us up routine. The added bonus ou are so much with unhealthy childhoods of getting feedback from more than just had hobbies and passions. friends is that you can use some prison ID Did you love to draw? Were this information to improve number. You’re you good at sports? Acting, yourself. If you’re told you a unique person writing, reading, playing an have the gift of gab, ask withY gifts and talents. Using instrument? Think back to yourself if you sometimes talk these talents in the form of a what gave you fulfillment as too much and could stand to regular hobby can keep your a very young child and find work on your listening skills. mind sharp and help lower a way to recreate that as stress. But how do you even an adult. That might mean 3. Find inspiration in others. pursue your hobbies with exercising in your cell, joining If you hear a song that limited resources? a prison music program, touches your soul, ask Inside Journal reviewed drawing every day, or starting yourself what it was about research articles, blogs, and a book club or theater group*. that song you loved so personal stories to create a much. Was it the lyrics? list of tips on how to find your 2. Ask others to list your by ugde/GettyImages Photo Try poetry. Was it the passion while incarcerated. best qualities. answers to find your passion. offer to help tutor someone sound of the instruments? Find a few trusted friends If most of your friends agree in math*. If most of your Try finding books in the 1. Remember your childhood. and ask them what your you’re great at math, create friends agree you’re a funny What activities brought strengths are. Then use those your own Sudoku book or storyteller, start a journal or Continued on page 2

INSIDE JOURNAL | Spring 2020 1 Find Your Passions start a separate phrase going Continued from page 1 left to right. Letters to the Editor prison library about writing 5. Don’t stop until you find your passion. your family. Mark and John, and the book composition or see if your Kelly, Mississippi Like the old saying goes, of Ephesians might also help facility offers music classes. I have been here for about a you’ll never know unless you month. I have chosen to do Fina, Arizona you. God bless your journey! Reading biographies and I am serving a 11 ½ year autobiographies is also try. Figure out what classes the time I have to serve with you’re allowed to take. Find God. I yearn to learn all I sentence out of 14 years. Tamarr, Arizona helpful. There are some All my life I have been a I have been inspired by the fascinating people in the out which programs involve possibly can so when I return the fine arts. Ask about home to my family, I will be victim and also played a things I read in Inside Journal, world. If their talents impress victim. I have lied so much and one day I hope to share you, try them out yourself. volunteer opportunities for the mother and wife God mentoring, pen-pal letter wants me to be. I love my I don’t even know the truth my story to do the same for Look around at fellow anymore. I pray to God, and I others. Without you sharing prisoners who inspire you. writing, tutoring, and other family, and I spend every day services. Try a variety of growing in God’s Word. I am know how much I need Him. this newspaper, some of our 4. Think outside the box. activities and make a note so thankful that God’s love is I know I can’t do this time institutionalized brothers and Just because you’re in of your reaction to each. If ever-present. Thank you for without Him. I am fully ready sisters would not be as blessed. a prison cell doesn’t mean you experiment long enough, the words of wisdom in Inside to accept Him in my life. I It gives us hope. Thank you you can’t get creative. Find you’ll eventually find the Journal, and I ask you to just don’t know how to do it. again and God bless. clever ways for using the talents and gifts that make remember me and my family Dear Fina: Dear Tamarr: items you’re allowed. Check you tick. And when you find in your prayers. To fully accept God into your With God’s love and hope in the commissary for items them, stick to them. Make Dear Kelly: life, start with prayer. Just talk your corner, you are already that might have unexpected a schedule if necessary. We will keep you in our prayers to Him like you’d talk to a close equipped to inspire those purposes. Have you always Consistency will help as you continue to grow in friend. If you have a Bible, around you. Stay strong and loved to cook? Experiment strengthen your skills and n your relationship with God and reading the Gospels, such as keep the faith! with different items to create reduce your stress. unique cuisine behind bars. (Inside Journal ran recipe People who are incarcerated articles in Spring 2019 and with limited resources are some of the most creative, Subscription Info Fall 2019; see if your library or chaplain keeps old copies.) Are inventive people around. That ® At Inside Journal (IJ), we receive many letters each week from prisoners asking for you artistic? Draw pictures or includes you. Your passions subscriptions to our newspaper. We are grateful for the interest and support of our readers. create cards as low-cost gifts and talents are unique and for loved ones. Are you poetic? priceless, so go find them, However, because of staff and budget limitations, IJ is only available in bulk shipments to your and serve your time well. chaplain, programming coordinator, or a volunteer who visits your facility. Chaplains, to set Try spoken word, rap, or even acrostic poetry, where you *Be sure to ask permission up these shipments for free, please contact our editorial staff at P.O. Box 1790, Ashburn, VA write a word or name vertically before starting any group and 20146-1790 or [email protected]. down the left side of the paper follow all your facility’s rules n and then use each letter to and regulations.

Single Mom Found Riches the taxes, and that triggered Continued from page 1 a tax investigation. Michelle laid her situation “I was convinced, even before Sue, a friend from GET EQUIPPED IN GOD’S WORD! though I didn’t really have church. Sue told her plainly, a relationship with Christ, “Michelle, you’ve got to stop Free Bible Correspondence Courses—Enroll Today! that God was punishing me,” lying. There’s an old saying, she remembers. ‘The truth will set you free.’” Ready to be free from her ALL YOU NEED IS A BIBLE, A PENCIL, AND A WILLING HEART. In too deep web of lies, Michelle told the Michelle’s marriage fell district attorney what she’d In the last 18 years, more than 35,000 students have apart after that. She fell back done. She was offered two to on wilder habits and went to six years in state prison. taken our courses. the Bahamas with a younger man. She got pregnant Living with integrity • Receive lessons in the mail with a son, and it felt like a “Everything changed the miracle. But her relationship day I went into lock-up,” • Earn certificates of completion for each course with this child’s father was says Michelle. The girl in • Build spiritual strength, character, and endurance Please enroll by also unhealthy. It ended in a the next cell was suffering writing us at the restraining order. through heroin withdrawal. To • Receive personalized comments and address above and It was then, Michelle comfort her, Michelle, who encouragement (trained volunteers review and be sure to include: remembers, that her boss despite going to church had asked her to help him not yet accepted Jesus into respond to each lesson) • Your name evade taxes. At the same her life, started reading aloud Upon completing the and ID# time, under financial strain, from a Bible. 35 self-paced lessons, • Institution Michelle started paying As she moved from one Name herself “advances” under the state prison to another, you may earn 6 credit • Institution table and used the corporate Michelle turned an empty hours at Berean Bible card to pay bills. Deep down, closet into a Christian Address she knew it was stealing, but reading room and played the Institute, Slinger, WI. • City, State, ZIP she told herself she would piano for chapel services. Bereanbibleinstitute.org catch up on her finances In 2011, Michelle helped eventually. with the Angel Tree sign- “In hindsight, it was ups at her facility, so that Our lessons are also available for download at www.prisonmission.org probably selfishness. I loved mothers could make sure [our lifestyle]. It brought their children received a me comfort being [in my Christmas gift. Michelle’s that Angel Tree gift,” and was promoted to Angel moved past the lies that were home]. It filled an empty daughter was already grown, she remembers. Tree field director a year part of her past. And though space that I had,” she says. but her son was 11. He Michelle went home on later. She now helps make she might make less money “But in reality, it still didn’t received his first Angel Tree April 27, 2012, with $40 and sure that thousands of than she did breaking the law, fill everything.” gift that year. He began a bus ticket to her name. children just like hers get a she doesn’t mind. In 2008, Michelle started going to church and would As she got her life re- Christmas gift and a message “Everything I need is going to church. Soon, she tell Michelle about Jesus established, Michelle of love from Mom or Dad. provided for,” she says. didn’t feel comfortable with during their phone calls. contacted Prison Fellowship It hasn’t been easy, but “I’m paying taxes. I’m doing what her boss was asking “My son led me to that and eventually became an Michelle has paid back nearly it legally. I got custody of her to do, but she also didn’t close, personal relationship Angel Tree volunteer. In every penny that she owed, my son back. And I feel know how to tell him “no.” [with Jesus Christ], and it 2017, she was hired as an and last year, she bought her richer today than I did back So she simply stopped filing was all due to him receiving Angel Tree program specialist own home again. She has then.” n

2 INSIDE JOURNAL | Spring 2020 Who Are You? Whose Are You? by Stacia Ray hroughout your ARE YOU GOOD ENOUGH? life, you’ve been described by How do you know if you’re “good enough”? other people. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, God says, “My grace is all you need. You’ve been My power works best in weakness.” In Him, you are good givenT different titles and enough! No need to earn God’s love or to seek approval from identities, whether you liked by baona/GettyImages Photo others. Rest in the peace that God’s grace is a free gift, and them or not. When you’re if you have accepted Jesus into your life as your savior, your in prison, you get called been lately? Does He like would still love that child identity as a child of God is solid. If you’re not sure how to Inmate. Before prison, you you more if you’ve been unconditionally. And God’s receive God’s grace, start with this simple prayer: might have been called reading the Bible or going love for us is even more Store Manager. Or maybe to chapel? perfect than the most loving “Dear God, please show me that Your grace is all I Gang Leader, or Parolee, or The answer is “no.” He parent we can imagine. need. Help me stop trying to find my identity in others’ loves us with no strings Sometimes, God’s children opinions, or in how ‘good’ I’m being. Let me be content in Mom. Some people get titles who I am as Your child. Amen.” based on rank. Others get attached. He says if we focus too much on being titles based on reputation. accept Him into our lives, “good,” as if God will love To discover how to follow Jesus, sign up for a free But words like “addict” then we are His children. them more if they try harder. correspondence Bible study through one of our trusted or “thief” describe how Your identity as a child of But your identity doesn’t partner organizations. Just write to “My Identity,” c/o Inside someone behaves, not who God can’t be stolen from come from how well you Journal, P.O. Box 1790, Ashburn, VA 20146-1790. To learn someone is. you. It isn’t earned by your “perform” as a Christian. If more about free correspondence Bible courses, see offer on page 2. So the big question actions or stripped away by you aren’t yet good at talking becomes: Who even are you? your mistakes. It isn’t based to God through prayer or Is your identity found in on what other people think hearing from God through someone else’s opinion of you. And God doesn’t reading the Bible, you don’t identify yourself as a child But hold on—there’s more of you? Or in how much value you based on how suddenly lose your identity as of God, that does not mean to those verses! Matthew money you make or your well-behaved you were as a a child of God. you will now have a an easy, 10:22 continues, “But latest achievement? If that kid, or what crimes you’ve That being said, if you pray trouble-free life. everyone who endures to were true, your identity committed, or how hard you and read the Bible regularly, Nowhere in the Bible the end will be saved.” And would change depending pray. You can be secure in it will strengthen your does it say we’ll have fewer 1 Peter 4:14 goes on to on the circumstances of your identity as a child of relationship with the Lord. problems or be more well- say, “If [people insult you] the moment. God in an unsecure world. And it will bring you a better liked if we follow Jesus. In because you bear the name Imagine the most loving sense of spiritual discipline to fact, Matthew 10:22 even of Christ, you will be blessed, An unshakable identity parent. Would that parent lean into God’s peace more says, “And all nations will for the glorious Spirit of God Thankfully, your most stop loving their child if easily. Just like a child grows hate you because you are my rests upon you.” important identity isn’t based that child misbehaved? No. up and matures, so does a followers.” And 1 Peter 4:12 The next time the world is on mood or circumstance. Sure, the parent would guide child of God. says, “Dear friends, don’t be trying to insult you or define That identity is firm: You are the child, teach the child, surprised at the fiery trials you, just remember that you God’s creation. or discipline the child. But Not easier, but better you are going through, as are a child of God. And that Does God measure people no matter how badly the Let’s get something if something strange were is all the identity you will based on how “good” they’ve kid messed up, the parent straight. When you finally happening to you.” ever need. n

IDENTITY CHALLENGE: RECIPE CORNER How quickly can you solve this crossword? Answers on p.4. ACROSS: DOWN: Prison Lasagna Supreme 1 The Bourne Identity actor: Damon. 2 Popular credit card (not MasterCard). (submitted by James Grindle, South Carolina) 3 A certificate is issued when you 3 Musicians John, Paul, George, are born. and Ringo: The . INGREDIENTS: 6 A booklet used to travel internationally. 4 “Christian” literally means “of .” 2 cans of ravioli 8 Me, , and I 5 Opposite of “ME.” 1 can of mushrooms, drained and dried 10 Opposite of “FOUND.” 7 Clark Kent is the secret identity of . 1 spicy beef sausage, diced 12 The male version of “DAUGHTER.” 9 2003 Disney Movie: Nemo 1 small onion, diced 13 The identity card required to drive a car. 11 Nickname for Thomas. 1 small green pepper, diced 8 slices of cheese 2 3 4 single-serving bags of Cheez-It crackers (or similar), crushed 2 packages of Captain’s Wafers (or any saltine/soda 4 5 crackers), optional 6 7 *Mix mushrooms, sausage, onion, and green pepper in bowl. Microwave on high for five minutes. Put a layer of ravioli in the bottom of a second bowl. Add several spoonfuls of mushroom mixture over ravioli. Next, sprinkle a bag of Cheez-Its and a half package 8 9 10 11 of Captain’s Waters. Then layer with sliced cheese. Continue the layering process until all ingredients are used. Finish with a final layer of sliced cheese 12 1 and crushed Cheez-Its. Heat in microwave for 5-6 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let sit for a few minutes and enjoy. 13

*Be sure to comply with your facility’s rules and regulations whenever cooking.

INSIDE JOURNAL | Spring 2020 3 IJ: What else is helpful for finding your identity on Finding Your Identity the outside? TL: A good faith community. People are much less at risk of relapse or returning to from the Inside Out any kind of criminal any of our can start finding the right that’s a good way to get activity if they find readers will resources to help you. help. Otherwise, some friendships in a church be released at cities have community home, and especially a some point. IJ: What about opening a organizations that will also church that’s welcoming bank account and managing to former prisoners. In But who will walk you through things like Images by malerapaso/Getty Photo Myou be on the outside? Inside money after release? how to get access to bus prison, people often place Journal spoke with Prison TL: When someone is cards, which banks are best their faith in Jesus and find Fellowship Academy Reentry released from prison, the to open an account in. Once their identity in Him. And are. In fact, research says it Manager Tom Lundquist money that they earned in you get a smartphone, you’ll that relationship with Jesus takes three years on average about finding your identity prison is put into an account. have a lot more options, with involves other people, to to get established. Sifting after release: both your literal They’ll have money on their banking apps, organizing help anchor and deepen through the temptations, the identity (ID cards and bank books and be given a debit apps, all kinds of helpful their values. Well, that’s freedoms, the stresses, and accounts) and your figurative card. That card can be used apps—even ride-share even more critical when the faith piece can be a slow identity (value and purpose). right after release. apps to help get to a job you leave prison. In prison process of transformation. If you walk into a bank, interview. or jail, there aren’t as many You might even flourish Inside Journal: After being you may get coaching there temptations, you have more for a while but then start released, how can someone as far as how to open a bank IJ: What tips can you share for time on your hands, and you to drift. One man after his get a driver’s license or other account. For a credit card, the post-release job search? can study a lot. But when release started off attending identifying documents? you might have to start off TL: When it comes to finding you’re released, you have a a huge church but didn’t find Tom Lundquist: There’s with a bank credit card. That’s work, if you have conditions wider range of decisions to any friendships there. He such a spectrum of how OK in the beginning. It keeps that prevent you from make, and you don’t have the wondered if simply attending things work, depending on your money all in one spot. accessing the internet, you’ll level of people keeping you church but not getting to your conditions of release. need to find a workforce in check. Without a network know other people is what IJ: How can someone learn Reentry services vary from center. Those are places of support, it’s a lot harder Christianity on the outside the latest technology on county to county. Some where you can go in and to stay on the right path. was supposed to look like. a smartphone and find counties have “wraparound” people will coach you on the People who find community But then he found a smaller the right apps, especially reentry services. Many internet. And it’s all filtered, on the outside tend to do church with real friendships. someone who has been prisons have transitional so you can’t access things well. People who don’t find This church was also very incarcerated a long time? services. In Minnesota that are too personal or community tend to struggle. intentional in welcoming TL: I’ve noticed that if improper, but you can access those who were incarcerated. prisons, the DOC has IJ: How long does the newly released citizens don’t email. Also, some states have It says in 2 Chronicles 15:7, transition coordinators that reentry process take? assist in obtaining IDs, birth have restrictions against a good resources for finding “But as for you, be strong and certificates, and driver’s smartphone, they’ll often get felon-friendly jobs. In some TL: Figuring out who you courageous, for your work will licenses, even paying some one the day after release. A states, the workforce centers are in Christ, or who you be rewarded.” Be patient with fees for you. Before you do smartphone opens up all sorts have trained staff to assist are as a person, takes time. yourself and include others anything, first find out what of options. formerly incarcerated men Several former prisoners I in your reentry process. your permissions are from You may need coaching on and women to find jobs that worked with told me it took Pursue your identity, find your parole agents. Then, how to use a smartphone. are not as impacted by their them a year after getting your community, and build based on your situation, you If your prison has a mentor, past felony convictions. out to find out who they your support. n

For help finding employment after your release, start with job search websites like indeed.com and 70millionjobs.com. Also visit prisonfellowship.org/resources and scroll down to the section called “Preparing for Reentry.” There, you will find a lot of resources, including tools on job searching and writing a resume, tips for family, books to check out, a national directory for reentry, and more. Be sure to follow all your release conditions and parole rules.

In an opinion piece written State Senator Sylvia of 10 years, more than before the bill was signed, Santana, D-Detroit, 19,000 17-years-olds who News + Notes Prison Fellowship’s senior sponsored the bill. According committed crimes had Former Prisoners Go and to enjoy the music of vice president of advocacy to a report by Michigan been treated as adults in Richard Andrew, a formerly and public policy Craig Radio, she said, “What the state’s criminal justice Behind Bars—for Good n incarcerated singer/ DeRoche wrote, “Locking up we need to do is educate system. In fall 2019 in Tyler, Texas, songwriter. 17-year-olds with adults is individuals, not lock them some former prisoners went Andrew Palau of CityFest counterproductive and makes up and throw away the key.” back behind bars. But this delivered the Gospel our neighborhoods less safe. The change could affect time, it was for a good cause. message to the many Further, it disregards our thousands of young people. They joined Prison Fellowship prisoners who had gathered young people’s tremendous The Michigan Council on and CityFest, an outreach of in the yard to listen. A “sea” potential for change Crime and Delinquency © 2020 by Prison Fellowship INSIDE JOURNAL® the Luis Palau Association, of people came forward and redemption.” found that within a span to bring a life-changing is published four times a year by for prayer, Richard recalls. Prison Fellowship, message—that in Christ, even Jennifer Lowrey, Prison Crossword: ANSWER KEY P.O. Box 1790, the loneliest prison cell can Fellowship’s national director Ashburn, VA 20146-1790. be a place of freedom. prisonfellowship.org of Hope Events, added, “It 2 3 703.478.0100 Prison Fellowship puts on was really powerful. You V BIRTH Hope Events with inspiring I E Editorial Manager: could just feel the Spirit M.M. White speakers, musical guests, 4 5 there on the yard.” C S Y A and other attractions at 6 7 Managing Editor: H PASSPORT Stacia Ray prisons all over the country. Michigan Finally At this Hope Event™, R U U L Writers: StuntDudes, a team of Raises the Age I P E A.R. Quinn, Stacia Ray Come October 2021, 8 9 10 11 Graphic Designer: professional athletes who MYSELF E LOS T put on live action sports 17-year-olds in Michigan will N. Schmidgall no longer automatically be T I R O A member of the Evangelical shows, demonstrated their 12 1 skills with ramps and BMX treated as adults. Governor SON M M ATT Council for Financial Gretchen Whitmer signed Accountability and the American bikes. Incarcerated men D A Correctional Association. the bill in late October 13 came out on the yard, and ® 2019. Once the law is in LICENSE Inside Journal is a incarcerated women stood registered trademark of nearby, behind a fence. Their effect, Michigan will join N Prison Fellowship®. voices joined together to most other states in treating G cheer on the speakers 17-year-olds as juveniles. 4 INSIDE JOURNAL | Spring 2020