Letters written by inmates

Letter Number 1

I have been on remand now for along time. When I first arrived in gaol my cellmate was mean and rude to me he made things much more difficult than they needed. As time went by I got moved around the gaol system and finally met up with my first cell mate. When I saw him I couldn't even bring myself to make eye contact with him. Eventually we talked.  A lot of stuff was worrying him and to make things even more sad for him he was going to have his birthday in gaol again.

After attending Chapel and hearing your sermon about forgiving I spoke to an inmate who I had confided in when I arrived in custody. He also knew it was this man's birthday.

So we  made him a birthday cake and gave it to him. He could not believe what we had done for him he thanked us and I guess our peace was made.

Had I not attended chapel and listened to your words on forgiveness I do not think that I would have had the idea to forgive.

Letter Number 2

Over the last few weeks of my trial I've really felt at peace because I know that God is with me.

Even if I lose my court case I will never lose my faith. I'm so lucky. Well luck has really nothing to do with it. I should say, I'm blessed to have come to (name of gaol) and lose my freedom.  Now I know I wasn't even free in the first place even though I was outside free.

I will never forget the day I opened my eyes just after I was baptised in the Chapel. I've felt different since then. Since I accepted Jesus into my heart, everything has just gotten better and better each day. I feel this huge inner peace. I'm just another one of God's miracles at work now. The seed in me has already sprouted and it's affecting people around me.

God has been waiting for me for so many years. Now I know what the meaning of "born again" means. Like I said before even if I lose my trial which would cost me 7-10 years or even more still I will never lose the faith that I have in God. God is very real.

Letter 3

There are very few times of quiet in gaol.  However my cell mate works so I usually get  1.5 hrs each day on my own during lunch time.This is a wonderful time to pray, read the bible and put my faith and trust in God.

When I came to your Chapel service it was so uplifting. It was a real ray of light in such a dark and difficult place. I thank God for you and your presence there and the ray of bright hope you reflect there of our Saviour Jesus.  "On Christ the solid rock we stand all other ground is sinking sand."