Easter Letter to Prisoners ~ Notecard with Art by Charlie N

 I’m writing to let you know that someone is thinking of you and wondering how you are. 

 

At first, I {naively} thought that if anyonewould be safe from this virus, it would be ex-offenders. You’re already“quarantined” away from the rest of society and isolated (This is what officials were telling the general population to do from the beginning. Now they are mandating it). I read that early-on visitation was stopped for you… just like with other groups. The elderly in group homes, or anyone in hospitals were not allowed visitors. Kids everywhere are now schooling from home and isolated from their friends. My son’s birthmother told me on the phone yesterday, that life “on the outside” in THESE circumstances is, in some ways, more regimented than the half-way house she was released from in November.

 

Still, I know it has to be unsettling for you. Even if you are already not having physicalcontact with people from the outside, there is a chance it can come in somehow.Infectious disease researchers studying this virus tell us it doesn’t live many hours away from the “host.” So, things coming in from the outside are generally safe. We catch it from someone sneezing or coughing on us or touching something that has been sneezed or coughed on within a few hours to days (depending on the surface). But, I can just imagine you are all talking about being “sitting ducks.” You have a lack of freedom to make decisions about your life, and limited access to information…so, the fear of the unknown, and has to be mentally and emotionally tough. (If you watch mainstream media, I believe they ALWAYS are competing for viewers by being sensational. Even under normal life, this causes society to have more fear).  

 

Early in March, Colleges decided to teach all their classes on-line, and close dorms. I connected with a group of Foreign Students who were stranded. At that point, officials didn’t know how long it would last. A couple weeks? The semester? These students couldn’t simply return home to other countries and then just fly back when there was an “all-clear.” If they did go back home, some would not be allowed to return again! Legally not allowed to work off campus, and exchange rates are taking a big hit for developing nations. Most of them by now have found places to live off-campus. I talked with one gal on the phone the other day. She is also learning a new kind of flexibility and mental toughness. God will make a way!

 

The biggest battle is always for peace, and it starts in our mind. So, I want to encourage you to be vigilant to stay positive. Don’t let your mind go down the “what if…” trail. THINK ON what is TRUE. You are alive. You influence others around you for positive or negative. You can help yourself and encourage others. 

Or you can bring everyone down…including yourself! Keep a strong focus! (John 14, Philippians 4:4-9)

 

Today I read that in many states, parole is being considered for prisoners who are elderly, at risk, and those who have met their minimum sentence. Perhaps that will be you. This expedited system of release, will be both good (to have your freedom back), but also extra challenging for re-entry. Everyone on the outside is affected, and unemployment set all-time highs last month. So, if you are released, I encourage you to take advantage of re-entry programs...not just for services, but for the community they offer! 

 

I pray…a lot for you, and others. The way I understand God, HE is not wringing his hands wondering about anything! And he offers peace, direction, provision, and hope. If I get the virus. I know where I’m going (though I may not understand it metaphysically!). But how ever “heaven” works, it’s better than the best day I ever had here!

Just one day in #chattanooga

This was taken on February 8th 
at 9AM & 4:30PM.

Biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires.

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Why Chattanooga? eNews for February 2020

DISCOVER Chattanooga Discover is my word for 2020.  It's a new year, new city, and new beginning. There is still work and projects in Vietnam for both of us, but we're enjoying finding out more of why God has led us here for our home base. In the same way that we tackled our first year in Singapore twenty years ago, we want to learn Chattanooga. What follows is some of what's happened so far. (Don't miss a great offer from World News Group at the bottom of this email) What's the Strategy? Find out where God is already at work, and join him in it! Last year, while we were only part time in Chattanooga, I began enjoying remarkable divine appointments. Clearly the Lord is guiding a discovery of some wonderful people and ministries here.  Anything in turquoise below has a link to that ministry. There seems to be common themes in what I'm finding, and it is quite new for me: JUSTICE issues and helping strengthen community & build supportive networks within the bonds we share in Christ. (Oh, and this is a picture with the Mayor of Chattanooga on MLK day of service!) A highlight of 2019 was hosting a fall retreat for The MOMentum Network. They are a faithbased support organization for single moms who are going to college. I'm getting to know the directors of MOMentum and Foundation House Ministries. This is another organization who serves pregnant women who are coming out of trauma. The story that follows this month has these organizations/issues woven together: Chattanooga Endeavors comes alongside exoffenders for "a second chance." An Über driver introduced me to their programs for re-entry. This includes volunteers who write letters to prisoners while still incarcerated. The Bethlehem Center is a Christian community center in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood near us. Senior Adults. In recent years I have spent a lot of time in different Retirement Homes, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing facilities. I now have a tenderness toward Seniors who are feeling marginalized. Because of of their advancing years and decreasing abilities, its easy for them to think they are of little use to society. I continue to ask, "Lord, is there something here where I can encourage our precious seniors?" What follows is just one of the exciting ways God is directing my steps to discover this new place! GIVE ME THAT LIST and I'll find you some more volunteers...somehow!  One thing that grabbed my heart from the very beginning was the work of Chattanooga Endeavors. Last July I began writing to three prisoners who call Chattanooga home. It appears to make a significant difference in recidivismand I enjoy writing cards, and can do it from anywhere.  In November, Jim and I met with their staff. It was so educational for us. This is not an area we are very familiar with. Besides the training and support they offer when prisoners are released, they try to start their supportive relationship while in prison. Many prisoners have no visits or mail for their entire stay in prison! What I was surprised to learn is that thirty prisoners had signed up to receive letters and were still on their waiting list! I couldn't stop thinking about that. Heading into the holidays and no mail? I contacted Chattanooga Endeavors. "Give me that list!" I said, and wrote to all of them over Christmas. I told them, "I know only about 12 people in Chattanooga, but I'm going to help you find more volunteers!" Home School Networks, Christian College Students...Senior Adults! I was not short for ideas of target groups who might be willing to take it on. But I knew NONE of these! Seniors, "the greatest generation," know the art of letter writing! So I started with them. On Tuesday, January 7th, I started researching Senior Centers in Chattanooga and felt a bit daunted. There are a lot of Seniors groups here. Where should I begin? Ugh. “Lord, I don’t know where to start!" I prayed. "Please show me which one I should approach first.” The next day I went to the Post Office with Jack, my Singaporean terrier. In the back seat of my car was a bag of non-perishable groceries (leftovers from Christmas with the family). Near the Post Office is a food pantry at The Bethlehem Center in a lower income neighborhood. I sensed a strong inaudible prompt, “Call Gloria the Activities Director there to make sure she’s in. If she is, then go, and stop by and visit her. Offer to pray for her in this new year.” Twenty-eight year old Gloria and I had never had a real conversation before. Our small group from church had volunteered for two Bethlehem Center community events in 2019. She was in her office that afternoon and seemed quite happy to see me when I came by. She invited me to sit down and I asked her typical coaching questions about how she feels going into a new year. “What’s exciting?” and then,  “Where are you stuck?” Of all the things she could have answered, she said to me, “Well, there is one thing that comes to mind. In our centers, we have Seniorscome together to play BINGO every month. They like coming together, but I sure wish I could come up with something that they could work on that is more meaningful.” I nearly jumped out of my chair! "I didn't come here today with an agenda about this, but I have an idea..."  She instantly lit up when I told her my idea of how her seniors could encourage our brothers and sisters in prison. She gave me a date to come and join their next BINGO night and I've aleady been once. February 27th, The Beth seniors will begin making this the first part of their monthly BINGO nights. I'm supplying preprinted and addressed postcards that will be mailed to prisoners. There's even more that happened next, but I want to keep this short!  Read the rest of this story on the blog. God bless you in your discoveries! On February 21st, I'll be heading to Los Angeles for our sending church's Missions Conference. I'm looking forward to catching up with friends and donors in the South Bay. Thank you for your partnership and prayers with us! Together we are all bringing the light and truth of Jesus to a world that needs him! Kimberly jkcreasman.novostaff.org Chattanooga Endeavors is the group I've partnered up with to write to prisoners who are from this county and will return here upon their release. Lord, for your beloved who have made criminal mistakes and are in great need of your mercy, forgiveness, and strength to change we pray. For those who work tirelessly in our Criminal Justice system, as social workers, parole officers, and ministries to ex-offenders, we ask for wisdom and grit to keep hopeful. Give them your heart for the prisoners, and guard them from hardness. In Jesus' name. "Biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires." THIS IS THE BIGGEST NEWS!! Through February, WORLD is offering 6 free issues. Give it a try! For years JIm and I have read WORLD Magazine. Last year their podcast The World and Everything in it became my primary news source. I liked it because it's a smart news source that isn't snarky. Each day’s half hour starts with a news summary, followed by longer stories, interviews, and reports from WORLD journalists. I'd enter all your names and emails myself, but thought better of it. You can sign up here.  Last month WORLD began a new podcast, Effective Compassion. It is an investigation into what's really working in the fight against poverty and how thinking biblically aids in the restoration of human dignity. The program is made for people who want to elicit real change because they know true hope. Learn more at wng.org.

Justice & Just Mercy

More about The Bethlehem Center and how Gloria invited me to join her for a movie...

Gloria at The Bethlehem Center loved the idea of having her Seniors involved in writing cards to inmates. She added after we'd checked our calendars and made a plan for when to start.

“It's funny that your idea is about serving those in prison. You see, this Saturday, my sorority is holding a private screening of a new movie called 'Just Mercy.' Have you heard of it?” I hadn’t. She was so excited, that even though she was now late to her next appointment she took the time to pull up the trailer. It is a new movie set in the 1980’s about death row inmates who had not had a fair trial. And how a young black lawyer from Maryland began a non-profit practice to advocate for them.

"YES! Yes! Get me a ticket too! I'll see you there!"

Saturday afternoon, three days after I had the conversation with Gloria about having her Seniors involved in writing cards to inmates I left to meet Gloria at the movie theater.

Before I started driving, I had that same kind of inner prompting that had sent me to go see Gloria earlier in the week:

“Pull up that TED Talk you had seen posted on Facebook. You know, the one from 2012 on Justice. Listen to that as you drive.” 

So I did. It turned out is was about CRIMINAL justice, and it was a compelling talk by a lawyer named Bryan Stevenson. 

“I’ll be listening to this again.” I thought to myself. "I have so much to learn."

Thirty minutes later I’m sitting in the movie theatre with Gloria and her sorority friends. As the story unfolded I began thinking “How strange! These are similar issues as that seven year old TED talk I just listened to!”

And then somone in the movie called the young lawyer by his name: Bryan.

The hair stood up on my arms. 

"Dear Lord! You are unbelievable! Just Mercy is the movie based on how Bryan Stephenson began his work!" It was a remarkable, world view shifting day for me opening my eyes and heart much wider to issues about injustice. I went home and watched every other TED Talk I could find on the topic.

That was the first eleven days of this year!

There's more. but that's enough for today.

Martin Luther King Day in Chattanooga

"A day ON instead of a day OFF!”

What a great idea. 

There are 387 churches in this county. 

Chattanooga has claimed to be the "most churched city in America." 

But we're also finding that there are some pretty messed up churches here!

The one we were sent to is NOT MESSED UP! 

It is an historic inner-city church, with a satellite venue that needed a good scrubbing.

First thing in the morning we checked in with about 250 other volunteers in the gym of University of Tennessee Chattanooga. 

The MLK Day organizers had a LOT of places we could go, but seemed low on volunteers. 

So, on my way to the church, I texted the owner of a housecleaning company I know. I asked to see if her staff could come and join us. Yeah, I ask crazy stuff like that of people. But I sense I ought to do something, I pray about it, and then do it. I'm okay looking and sounding like a fool.

The team wasn't free that day, but I told here where we were going and said, "Let's plan on doing this together next year."

She texted back, "THAT'S MY CHURCH!"

hmmm.
THREE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY SEVEN CHURCHES here...

...of course it's her church!

BUSINESS TITLE: "Explorer | Encourager | Gypsy"

Check out the title I put on my business cards from 2015:

Gypsy.

Jim and I have lived a bit like gypsies since leaving Asia at the end of 2014. Jim spent a good deal of time in Vietnam and and I was finding ways to "bloom where I'm planted."

I ditched making my annual detailed goals (as uncomfortable as that was). Life was too much up in the air!

I prayed for my spirit to be as still as my life was. As I prayed, I had an image of floating in an inner tube. I was on a Lazy River with the Lord. With that image, I could daily be eager to find out who and what God would bump us up against.

The Lord had invited this Activist Explorer to explore a more Contemplative lifestyle.

Surrendering to this new focus, I wrote in my journal, "I want to come to a place of so enjoying this quiet with God, that when he gives me a green light, to GO and do, I am reluctant to leave his presence."

Well, the light turned has turned green in 2020!

Every week, and sometimes every day, clues are coming in ways that give me goosebumps. 2020 has been quite an adventure so far. But, it is with a different head and heart space that I dive back in to a full life. 

I have so much less bravado, and quite a bit more peace. I would prefer that every day had extended time of quiet, and pray as I go that his presence will go with me, leading the way.

Have you ever had a season where a transition forced you to learn contentment in the liminal space?

This quote from Richard Rohr was very helpful to me...

Mentoring resources we have used draw a lot from Fuller Professor and Author Dr. Robert Clinton. He wrote and taught about transitions. Terry Walling, on of his students wrote the book Stuck on the same subject. When we find ourselves stuck somehow, we need to first surrender to the idea that God allows these tough seasons to shape our character. 

He wants us to lean in, rather than scratch and fight for a way out... ASAP. He will lead us out. But if we don't learn the thing he's offering for us to learn, he will bring the lesson back round again.

In order to finish well, lean in. According to Clinton's research on Christian leaders who finished well, eventually God will stop bringing the lesson. If we refuse to learn the character lessons we need, our lives will plateau, and we won't enjoy what could have been if we had grown closer to the Lord, and stronger in character.

Christmas Greeting

"Bless you in the name of Jesus, whose birth we celebrate!" You've journeyed with us these decades of ministry, and together we've seen so many lives changed by Jesus! This Christmas we are celebrating the fruitfulness of our Vietnamese Christian friends. So many more new followers of Jesus now have lives of purpose and eternal hope. Jim & Kimberly in Chattanooga, TN  |  Tyler in Columbia, SC  |  Cameron in Austin, TX Prayer for this Christmas in V___ Lord God, we believe you are the only hope for this world you created. We believe Emmanuel is with us & Jesus saves. We pray for the church events all around this globe this coming week. We ask you to reveal your powerful presence and transforming glory. Even to those outside of church gatherings, we pray that you would reveal yourself. Draw them to repentance and new life in your light. Help those still in darkness see, hear and respond to your offer of meaningful and hopeful life! As we gather in our homes, or reach out across the miles, draw us nearer to our families and friends. Give us wisdom in how to love one another. Grow our capacity and vision to care for the broken-hearted or marginalized. Encourage our hearts to be confident that in all things, you are with us, and you alone save. ~ Amen. With gratitude for your partnership, Jim & Kimberly Creasman Jesus is the Word of God to us. When God spoke by sending his son, he told us: EMMANUEL - "God is with us" JESUS - "God is salvation" Thank you for joining us in bringing the light and love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who haven't heard..   "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (The Bible, New Testament. Ephesians chapter 2, verse 10)

The Christmas Letter to 35 prisoners on a waiting list

They had signed up for someone to write to them...

I just got off the phone with the birthmother of my younger son. It was an open adoption when he was born in 1996, and we've stayed in touch. She's now in a half-way house and will be released back to where her family lives in mid-January. She seems in a good head space, and I was so happy to catch up.

I told her about discovering Stephen's Table. This is the group you met awhile back, and signed up to have someone write with you (which may not have happened yet). She affirmed that getting mail makes a difference. She affirmed that there are a lot of people who don't get any visitors or mail. 

 

Even before I got this "thumbs up" from her, I've really enjoyed writing with three guys this year. Last month I met with the Chattanooga Endeavors staff to learn more about their work. I heard that they are short on volunteers to write to those people who've requested it. In the new year, I want to help them find some more volunteers. But for this month, I wanted to stand in the gap and to send you something.

 

Since November, I've been thinking a lot about you, and others who are spending the holidays in prison. The Christmas songs tell about this being "the most wonderful time of the year," but it can also be a really tough time for many. With all the traditions and hype, it compounds sadness for those of us who are having a tough time. 

 

There have been a few years for me feeling blue during this season. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus and I'm a Christian ~ I have every reason to feel festive December! However, whether it was living overseas & away from extended family (for 17 years), or a rebellious season for one of my children (since 2009), or the death of a parent (2015, 2016, and 2019), there have been some sad holiday seasons for me. 

 

I've never been in prison, though. So, I can't really know what it is like for you. I wanted to write to you and tell you that you are not forgotten, and that someone is thinking about you! I'm sure I'm not the only one. I don't know you personally, but here are some things I know about you:

 

·       You are part of the human race, and valuablebecause you are uniquely and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)

·       You are skilled. (You can read this, can't you? So many in the world today still can't read!)

·       You have the capacity to learn and take on more skills.

·       You are able to problem solve. 

·       You are creative. Yes. Everyone is creative...even if you've not realized it yet.

·       You have the capacity to choose to think positively when negative thoughts enter your mind. And then,

·       You can influence others for good.

 

So, there you have it. A short list of some of the powerful, valuable things about you!

Note 8/29/20 ~ This letter  got a bunch of responses. I wasn't expecting it, but now 13 are writing to me. 

Some of their letters are so touching, or sad, or earnest. 

I was hoping to spend my time recruiting more volunteers this year, 

but Covid has made that difficult! 

But it also has given me more extra time. 

Came across a sweet little slice of parenting. From 2018:

A selection from my letter to Tyler for Mothers Day 2018:

...the most touching thing that happened as your mom in recent years was your call to me the other week. 

You knew you’d hurt my feelings a couple weeks ago. 

You'd said that you didn’t want to date some nice girl from South Carolina a second time because, “She was a Southern-Belle version of you mom.”   

Weeks had gone by since this hurtful report on your dating life, and you pursued a private phone conversation with me. 

You wanted to let me know that you truly think I’m pretty swell. What I heard on that call was basically when you get your career path gets settled, and you had some more bachelor life dating-just-for-fun out of your system, [and perhaps a little therapy for working out your emotional kinks from being raised by perfect parents] you’d really like to find a girl half as good as me.

Well done. I promptly went and hung your pictures back up on the walls.  

What a strange season this is where your life has had so many new experiences to fill us in on, while my reporting from the California home front, feels like a never-ending loop of the same kind of news.   

But this time of helping my folks won’t last forever. I don’t know anyone who is farther down life’s road who regrets spending too much time with their parents. And there really is a sweetness right now, while Grammy Sue still knows who I am and also thinks I’m pretty swell.  I wonder how much will change by Mother’s Day next year.

How much will change indeed. 

This past Mothers Day 2019 I was with Jim back in Asia celebrating with three pastors and their families. I was too busy with meetings and teaching to get my annual MOTHERS DAY letters written. 

Mom didn't know me anymore in 2019. And in about 3 months she would finally be in heaven.