One way that teens and adults at the 2009 International Youth Rally in July were able to show their love for Christ was by participating in service projects. Teens painted playground equipment, weeded flowerbeds in parks, and spent time with nursing home residents. They also sent cards and wrote letters to inmates, soldiers, and those with developmental disabilities.

Several inmates responded and shared how they were encouraged by these letters. Here are a few excerpts from letters written by prisoners at the Milwaukee County Correctional Facility–South.*

"Thank you for the beautiful card. Receiving something like this in a place like this is a great blessing. Many people assume jail is punishment, but for me it has been a God-send. This has been a time for me to evaluate my life, my relationships with God, family, and others. . . . I was never able to trust strangers before, but now I know we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. I will include you in my prayers this evening."

"I would like to say that the card really made my day. I would like to thank God and you because it’s been very hard. . . . I really needed to know that someone cares and that God loves me. I will not forget to keep the faith and forget the past and focus on what my future holds for me. I read the card every day. That’s how I make it day to day. So just wanted to say thanks and keep writing cards because people like me really need to hear those kind of things."

"Thank you for your card. It really brightened my day to hear from someone. Yes, you are right. Always remember no matter what God will forgive us. God is very important to have in your life. Keep him in your heart all the time and never forget who he is. Stay in school and learn everything you can about God. If you learn to walk with God, he will bless you always."

WELS Prison Ministry always needs volunteers to serve as pen pals to inmates. Letters are sent through a P.O. Box for security reasons. If you are interested, contact David Nack, PO Box 452, New Ulm, MN  56073.

*These letters were received at a secure location and were not mailed directly to the teens who sent the cards.