By Grace of God we have started a new church planting ministry in Okazaki last year. God has been so good to us. As you know, we have been praying for the needs of office [...]]]> That my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.”   Psalms 30:12

By Grace of God we have started a new church planting ministry in Okazaki last year. God has been so good to us. As you know, we have been praying for the needs of office equipment and supplies for “Baptist Grace Chapel”.

God blessed our opening Sunday which was Easter Sunday in April 8 with 18 congregations including our co-workers.  Our first prayer was to have one new visitor for that day. It is still blessing! Therefore this is really MIRACLE. We felt strongly it was will of God to start a new church in this area. Please continue to pray for us.- Tajuki

You sent us some books last year.  Would it be possible to get a few more of those from you?  We began a new program where we have one on one contact.  We talk to them about Jesus and show them that they can live a whole new life through [...]]]> Jan (Native American outreach coordinator)

You sent us some books last year.  Would it be possible to get a few more of those from you?  We began a new program where we have one on one contact.  We talk to them about Jesus and show them that they can live a whole new life through Jesus.  We help them get saved and teach them Bible studies.  We are seeing a HUGE change in each of them.  Your books went over GREAT.  They help us do a better job.  We are now being invited to begin this program in other states.  Can you help us with more material?  (YES!)  We would be so grateful for all and any help you may give to us.  Thank you and God bless you.

Chaplain from north-eastern Georgia

The Walker Faith and Character Based Program is off to a great start.  The staff is witnessing a drastic change in the lives and attitudes of the men.  The vision of this program is to prepare men for re-entry into society as productive citizens.  This goal can be reached with your continued prayers and support.

We thank you for your donation of materials.  This project could not be accomplished without people like you.  Thank you for your support.

Maxine (adult)

This is a great course – the way it exalts Christ.  I didn’t learn anything new, but the facts in the lessons thrill me.  I taught through them to two ladies who learned so much from the lessons.  God bless you.

Edward (Prisoner)

The most import thing that I learned from this lesson is that Jesus came to earth as a man.  His life here was one big example for me to follow.  Jesus was preparing for what was to come.  Sin cannot enter heaven so He became the last sacrifice for sin.  He died on the cross so that everyone’s sins would be forgiven if they believe in Him.  Now all believers have a true hope.

Lisa (Released prisoner)

I want to give praise to God. I have to thank Him for all my blessings this past month and two answered prayers.  To God be the glory – Such a joy in my heart!  I claim the saving grace of Jesus.  Thanks to you all for praying also.

Everaldo (Hispanic Prisoner)

(He did not like it when asked about receiving Jesus because he did not believe in the Trinity.  This is his response after we sent him some helps.)  Thank you for the letter that I liked very much, for the tract, the note, and the time dedicated to praying for me.  Thank you also for the pages of information that you sent me.  I am going to study them more to understand it better.

Thank you for this blessing because it is very difficult to seek God in here.  Many of the men criticize when someone wants to change and receive Jesus as Savior.  But now I have gotten to know Him through the Holy Scriptures and I have received Jesus as my Savior.  I Timothy 4:10

Dorothea (Adult)

What do you believe about the creation of the universe?  When I was in elementary school I loved studying about outer space.  I knew then something special had happened to make those things work the way they do.  Things like that don’t just happen.  Someone had to have done it, someone mightier than a scientist, someone with the ability to do anything.  It had to be God.

My mother took my sister and me to church and that is when I found out that God had done it and told us about it in Genesis.  Nobody can tell me a theory that is different that I’ll believe.  I may have to study it in school and take a test on it, but I don’t have to believe it.  I believe only one Book and that is the Bible.  God wrote it; it’s the truth.

David (Prisoner)

This lesson hit me close to the bone and made me realize I was living in self.  Self was the head of my life, not Christ.  I signed the statement “I have been crucified with Christ” and I prayed.  My prayer is that I can continue to live “in Christ” and He can live His life in mine.

Charlton (Prisoner)

I would like to thank you for helping show us the way.  Thank you for everything.

Misty (Prisoner)

This is the last of My New Life in Christ 1.  Are there any more studies that are available to me?  I enjoy studying my Bible.  It’s really showing me how life is with God and how I can keep the devil off my back.  Thank you!  God bless you all!

John (Prisoner)

I want to thank you for your wonderful fellowship for always acknowledging my prayer requests.  It is a comfort to my heart to have others helping me in prayer.  I am here to do the same, if your ministry ever needs special prayer.  You are all in my thoughts and prayers.  God bless you all.

April (Adult)

I have been going through a lot this year.  There have been deaths in my family, and I have been dealing with health problems, but I know God will see me through it.  Please pray that I will get my joy back.

Thank you for the booklet.  I have really enjoyed it.  Please pray for my son’s foot.  They thought he had gout, but it is not that.  He can hardly hobble around.  His wife needs prayer for strength to keep going.  They have their own ministry that they take care of.  I will keep praying for you.

Steven (Prisoner)

May God bless you for what you are doing to further inmates’ knowledge of God.

I truly love Him.  I just need to concentrate on not letting the world and silly disagreements bother me.  In here they do some thing that drive me crazy, but I must keep reminding myself of Philippians 2:14,15.

Heaven I Long For

 There is a land of pure delight, where saints immortal reign.

Infinite day excludes the night, and pleasure banishes pain.

To see His face, this is my goal,

and the deepest longing of my soul.

Through storm and stress my path I’ll trace,

Michael (Prisoner)

Heaven I Long For

 There is a land of pure delight, where saints immortal reign.

Infinite day excludes the night, and pleasure banishes pain.

To see His face, this is my goal,

and the deepest longing of my soul.

Through storm and stress my path I’ll trace,

until satisfied I see His face.

Sometimes I grow homesick for heaven, and the glories there I shall behold.

What a joy that will be when my Savior I see, in that beautiful city of gold.

Aurelio (Hispanic student)

It was today in this place that I saw marvelous things from the Holy Bible and fell down when I realized what your Bible studies taught me.  Thanks through your efforts that you are doing for God because I have received Jesus as my Savior.  May God bless all of you.

A woman taking our studies in prison

May God continue to bless you and keep His mighty arms around you.

My son is not a Christian.  He is Hindu and lives in India.  He is 20 years old.  He does believe in God but not Jesus.  I just want God to touch his heart so he can start believing in Him.  I received the Lord in my heart 3 years ago.  God is good.

David (adult)

Thank you for another enriching lesson.  I feel as if I am drawing closer to God through your studies.  It has been a blessing these past couple of years doing them.  May God bless each and every one of you.

Sarah (Teenager)

What is the most important thing you have learned in this lesson?  I like the forgiving others part.  How many times must one forgive—seventy times seven and even more.  The Lord set some great examples for us.  I really enjoy these courses.

Tony (Prisoner)

Thank you for the Bible studies.  They have really helped me understand more about what I need to be more like Christ.  I was raised in the church as a boy, but I drifted away for many years.  I had forgotten my way back.  Thank you for all you do.  I hope to see you in the rapture or in heaven whichever comes first.

Ulinda (Former prisoner)

I really enjoy your Bible lessons.  I have left prison, but I would like to continue receiving your lessons.  Here is my new address. Pray for my adjustments.

Kenneth (Prisoner)

I am learning so much through this study.  Thank you for continually sending me the lessons.  I saw that my cellmate has received his first lesson today from you all.  He has been working on it all day while I was at work in the kitchen.  He seems to be enjoying it too.  I hope and pray he really decides to give his life to God and accept Christ as his Savior.  He says he doesn’t believe in heaven or hell.  He still thinks that when you die everything is over.  I hope through these lessons he learns and accepts the truth about God and eternity.  God bless…

Gerard (Prisoner)

The most important things I have learned from these lessons are:

To place God first in my life

To love and trust God with my life

That it is only through His Son Jesus that I can be saved and given eternal life

That heaven is a real place

That I will inhabit heaven as a result of my belief in Christ

That I will see Jesus face to face

And that I will be reunited with my loved ones who have passed after trusting Christ.

Thank you!

Jonathon (Prisoner)

Thanks and Praise be to God!  God bless you all and thank you for the Bible you sent.  I rejoiced when I received it and a new study and a note!

I thank God for small beginnings and your humble kindness.  I see God moving in my life, like never before.  Pray that my fruit grows and remains.  Thank you again.

I feel alone, being caged, but this time God had given me to allow me to see myself as He saw me.  I was saved, but ungrateful and disobedient.  I would not hear or change my ways.  I kept trying to do things on my own.  I found I was wrong, but God can change me.

Elvron (Prisoner)

He sent us a prayer list that he made in his cell block.  It was passed around and 19 of the men signed their names and gave prayer requests.  These requests were for their families and spiritual walk.  Some asked for prayer for their court cases and others for work.  One man asked for prayer for his cellmate because he is not saved.

Elizabeth (adult)

Thank you for the card you sent.  Your words meant so much.  You’re in my daily prayers and so is Source of Light.  Praise Him!

Cassie (12 year old)

I want my friend to believe in God.  Her name is Katie.  Pray for her.

Christopher (Prisoner)

My wife has filed for divorce.  I don’t want to lose my wife.  I know that I was wrong.  I pray that God will intervene and restore my marriage.  Please pray for Him to help me.

My daughter was recently in jail.  Through her I was able to connect with several young women who are incarcerated.  I am now writing these girls.  Would you pray with me for their salvation?  They need to open their ears, eyes, and hearts to Jesus Christ through the hearing of the Word of [...]]]> Donna (Adult)

My daughter was recently in jail.  Through her I was able to connect with several young women who are incarcerated.  I am now writing these girls.  Would you pray with me for their salvation?  They need to open their ears, eyes, and hearts to Jesus Christ through the hearing of the Word of God and my testimony.

Brenda (Adult)

I thought I would let you know that I came across a lot of important material as I was studying my lesson.  It was hitting me in the face that I was wrong in my life.  I am going to reread this lesson again and get into it and God’s Word even more than before.  I want to get my heart right with God.

Aisha (Adult)

I was sent some lesson books about 5 years ago.  At that time I was trying to get back on track, but things were rough.  I have come across them again.  I live in New York now, but I want to continue to have correspondence with you.  I still have the books and want to keep studying.  Do you still use the same ones?  If not, can you send me the ones you are using now?  I appreciate you reaching out to me.  Hopefully you can extend your hand again.  Thank you.

Jimmy (Adult)

Please pray for me.  I need God’s help so I won’t give up on Him.  I can’t do this by myself anymore.  I usually dwell upon my past defeats, but I need to remember that His love never fails.  I want to be strong and live right for Him.  Thank you.

Debbie (Adult)

I would like for you to pray that I continue to be in God’s Word and that He would order my steps in the way He wants me to go.  I need for Him to create in me a clean heart and to love everybody like Christ did.

Thomas (Prisoner)

I am really struggling with the fact that I may have lost my wife and daughter.  She said that she can’t take it no more.  I hurt her by all the wrong I done when I was out.  Pray that she can hang in there and that we can stay a family.

Joshua (Prisoner)

I received your letter and I would like to thank you for writing back.  Your letter really stirred my faith.  I know God put the word in your mouth that is why I give God all the glory.  I know now that God’s mercy is greater than our sins.  I have learned that faith is what pleases God.  That faith is all I have right now, but He has shown me that I would need to be torn down so He can build me back up.  I am picking up me cross and following in the footsteps of Jesus.  Please keep me in your prayer and I will do the same.

Lee (Former prisoner)

I want to thank you for your contributions toward my studies in God’s Word. I thank God that He motivated you and gave you the desire to do what you do to help people grow in the Lord.

Sharon (Adult)

Please pray for me.  I need help letting go of past hurt that keeps me from getting my life together.  I want to stop being so depressed and angry about my situation and learn to let God handle my life.

Hester (70 years young)

Thank you all for all my Bible lessons.  They have helped me to learn more and more about God’s Word.  I was born with polio and have had great physical difficulties.  I am blessed that He gave me life and I love to be in His Word.  I may not answer every question, but, thank God, I am still doing the lessons.  May God bless you and I am going to keep you all in my prayers.

Larry (Prisoner)

This Cross Was Meant For Me

Sometimes things happen that do not make sense,

I struggle to find a plan of defense.

In search of the answers to understand,

I sense my Savior when He takes my hand,

As He leads me on where I cannot see,

He assures me this cross was meant for me.

The Lord Jesus has made my path so clear,

Though I struggle sometimes, I’ll have no fear.

He helps me walk where He’s traveled before,

And guides me safely to His peaceful shore.

While at times it’s dark and I cannot see,

He assures me this cross was meant for me.

I view now the cross that I have to bear,

And trust Jesus to guide me safely there.

No matter how bleak and dark are the skies,

I’m able to see through His loving eyes.

His arms were stretched out there at Calvary,

He assures me this cross was meant for me.

He lets me know I can trust Him,

It was through His cross He forgave my sin.

My defense is always through Calvary,

I’m assured that this cross was meant for me.

Michael (Veteran)

This Bible study and your prayers are appreciated and a Godsend.  I ask God to bring my family closer to Him.

I have given out all the cards you sent me and encouraged my family to take these courses.  I am going to the VA hospital and would like a few more to pass out there if possible.  I believe so much in what you are doing.  It has done so much for me.  I will help out more financially in the future as God blesses.

It is really great you offer this for free.  That helped me to start and I am so glad I did.

“We thank God for what He is doing in the King’s ministry, I can tell you the office is so busy because of the number of students who are intersting to do lessons adults and children you will even notice this when we will send the [...]]]> Vedette, who directs the Congo ministry, writes from Kinshasa:

“We thank God for what He is doing in the King’s ministry, I can tell you the office is so busy because of the number of students who are intersting to do lessons adults and children you will even notice this when we will send the 1st report of this yea,r pray a lots for this and we need pray for a new guys in the ministry to grade, record and send the  lessons, we need more lessons available because of this. There is a courrier who isserving  the Ndolo prison most of the prisoners are doing the lessons and they are soldiers”

While reading “Light from the Gospel of John”, I received Jesus as my Savior.  I had never realized how marvelous it is to know Jesus as my Lord and what you feel when you receive Jesus as your Savior.  It is an internal peace and a faith that grows more and more [...]]]> Daniel (Hispanic Prisoner)

While reading “Light from the Gospel of John”, I received Jesus as my Savior.  I had never realized how marvelous it is to know Jesus as my Lord and what you feel when you receive Jesus as your Savior.  It is an internal peace and a faith that grows more and more every time that you get to know about the Word of God.

Romero (Hispanic prisoner)

The lesson asked “Have you received Jesus as your Savior?”  His response was “Saved at this moment.”

I was never able to read the Bible before and I didn’t want to know anything about it.  If I would read it, I would feel tired and confused.  Now with help I have discovered how to know God and every time that I read the Bible I learn more about Him.  Now I have much faith in Him and I believe that He is my Savior.  I have much faith that He will help me with my problems.

Mario (Prisoner)

Mario picked up and read “One Foot in Heaven” written by Dr. Shade.  It is a tract about something that happened in his life.  At the end of the tract it asks a couple of questions about salvation and there is a place to sign and date it.  Mario accepted Christ and asked to be enrolled as a student.  He was saved 2-15-2012.

James (Adult)

Thanks for the encouragement you give me.  I know that I have grown closer to God by doing these lessons.  They have helped me get through some hard times.  I look forward to getting new lessons each time.  Thank you for everything.  May God always be with you.

(Prisoner)

I was a Sunni Muslim for 33 years.  I began to study the Bible with the intent to find faults with Christianity.  Instead of finding faults I found the truth and became born again 27 months ago.  I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior who died for my sins. I am saved and sure of it.  I have eternal life.  I love, trust, and rely on Jesus Christ.

Micah (6 year old)

Please pray for me to be brave enough to ask Jesus to save me.

David (Adult)

I don’t know what I am doing wrong but I have lost the enjoyment of my position in Christ.  Please pray that I learn what is displeasing to God in my life and that I correct it.

Please pray that I will understand, retain, and put into practice all that I am learning and to have the courage and knowledge to pass the information on to others.  I want to speak boldly about what Jesus Christ is doing in my life.

Greg (Prisoner)

Please pray for my son.  He is in the Army and just returned from Afghanistan.  Pray that God will come back into his life.  He is having some problems with pressures, his marriage, and a new child.  He needs all the prayers he can get.

Jesse (Prisoner)

Thank you for tracking me down!  I got sent to prison and they made me leave all my stuff behind except my legal papers.  I thought I would have to wait till I got out to look you guys up.  I truly appreciate you guys.  Your Bible study booklets have given me an understanding of the Bible in the biggest way.

My cellmate would like to get started in your Bible study course too.  Thank you so much !!!

Ramon (Hispanic prisoner)

Brethren, I have come to know the Lord as my personal Savior here in prison and God has blessed me and helped me a whole lot where I find myself in prison.  I have recognized my faults here and I have been ungrateful because I have failed Him many times.  Please pray for me.

Horacio (Prisoner)

May this letter find you and everyone in the ministry in the best of health.  Thank you for your uplifting words in the previous study, it is something that we lack in here.

As it amazes you, it also does me; God’s Word is true and life-changing.  I used to say “I don’t deserve to be in here; I am not like these people; I am so much better.”  In reality I am no different; I was just not caught before.  What is happening to me in here is a life transformation.  Hallelujah!!  Thank you, Jesus.

I miss my family so much, but this chastening I would not trade for the world.  I was not a good father figure to my family when I was out there (alcohol, drugs, women, working all the time).  I thought that this is all they needed: A home, a boat, top-of-the-line cars, the best clothes, and any other materialistic “WANT” they or I could imagine.  Wow, I missed so much not having Jesus.  In prayer I have promised my Lord and Savior that when my release comes, my family will see and be taught by a real man, a man of God, the man God is making me to be in here.

Floyd (Prisoner)

Throughout this course I have learned to read the Bible where we find the treasure of true wisdom.  I would like to thank everyone that has taken their time to look over and grade my tests.  Your notes and comments have been helpful and inspirational.  I love you and thank you all for you have done for me.  May God bless you.

Hipolito (Hispanic prisoner)

Greetings to the people of God there at Source of Light.  Thank you for your prayers for me.

Charles (Adult)

I want to thank you for the certificate I received at the end of my last study and for the new Bible study.  I am looking forward to this.