DEAR FRIENDS,
We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season.
We had a wonderful holiday. Minnie spent a week here with us. It was so good to be together. Just before she came to Abilene she found out she passed both of the CPA exams. She was so excited and we are too. She lacks two more which she will take sometime this year.
This past year has been a wonderful year for us. We are involved in a work that we never thought we were able to do. It has been a learning process for us. God has open doors for us to be able to talk to so many inmates about Him. It is our prayer that everyone we talk to will be touch by Gods love and His mercy and they will be able to continue to walk the journey after they will get into the free world.
As we tell them we all have trials to overcome, but when we have the Lord by our side we can conquer and have a better life, and with our difficulties we can make the next trial easier to go through. What a blessing it is to have a loving Father beside us, and it is so great to share this with others.
Thank you so much for being apart of this work, please continue to pray for us.
Have a great 2008.
God bless you all,
Robert and Rosa
Monday, January 7, 2008
Friday, December 7, 2007
NOVEMBER REPORT
Dear Friends,
Rosa and I are doing fine. We had Minnie for Thanksgiving, and she stayed through the weekend. She had not been in Abilene for several months. We hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving with your loved ones.
The work at the prison is very exciting for both of us. During the past month several of the inmates we have gotten to know have been released in the free world and some has been moved to a different Unit. Whereever they go we hope they will be good Christian men and hopefully they will carry on the Gospel.
Taylor is 18 years old. This is his third time to be in prison. When he came to the library for the first week, he seemed to have a lot of anger inside of him and he was confused. After the first week he began to open up to us. We found out his mother is drug addit and she is homeless. He doesn't know where his father is. His brother is in prison in Indiana. This is a complicated situation.
As we continue to talk to him he seems to very comfortable talking wiht us. To our surprise he wanted to study with us about Gods word. He told us it is hard to keep focus and he needs help on how to study.
Unfortunately, there are many young men in the same situation, please keep these men in your prayers.
There have been 904 baptisms since January. Praise God for this!
We continue in contact with the Christians in Portugal by email and phone calls. Everyone there are doing fine.
Please keep us in your prayers. Thank you for your continuing support.
In Christian love, Robert and Rosa
Rosa and I are doing fine. We had Minnie for Thanksgiving, and she stayed through the weekend. She had not been in Abilene for several months. We hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving with your loved ones.
The work at the prison is very exciting for both of us. During the past month several of the inmates we have gotten to know have been released in the free world and some has been moved to a different Unit. Whereever they go we hope they will be good Christian men and hopefully they will carry on the Gospel.
Taylor is 18 years old. This is his third time to be in prison. When he came to the library for the first week, he seemed to have a lot of anger inside of him and he was confused. After the first week he began to open up to us. We found out his mother is drug addit and she is homeless. He doesn't know where his father is. His brother is in prison in Indiana. This is a complicated situation.
As we continue to talk to him he seems to very comfortable talking wiht us. To our surprise he wanted to study with us about Gods word. He told us it is hard to keep focus and he needs help on how to study.
Unfortunately, there are many young men in the same situation, please keep these men in your prayers.
There have been 904 baptisms since January. Praise God for this!
We continue in contact with the Christians in Portugal by email and phone calls. Everyone there are doing fine.
Please keep us in your prayers. Thank you for your continuing support.
In Christian love, Robert and Rosa
Monday, November 12, 2007
October Report
Dear Friends,
We want to take this time to tell everyone how much we appreciate your support, and love for our work for the Lord. Our work at the Prison has been an encouragement to be able to see men want to turn their life over to the Lord.
The inmate that was helping us with library duties was released in Sepetember, and two weeks later he called us to tell us that he was coming to Abilene, and he wanted Rosa and I to meet him at the University Church for worship services and also he wanted to go out and have lunch with us along with the Chaplain and two others volunteers. His mother and girl friend also joined us.
We had a wonderful visit with him and his mother. We both feel like this is the answer to our prayers, to be able to encourage him to have a productive life in the free world. And to continue to live a Christian life. We know we will have more oportunities to be with him, and his family.
The Lord is continuing to bless us in the library. We are having more conversations with the inmates about their expectations when they get back into the free world. We press the point they need to focus their lives in Christ, and continue to study His word and they will be okay.
We are having anywhere from 10 - 30 baptisms each Wednesday night. This is very uplifting to us.
After speaking on Wednesday nights, I always have young men from the prison approach me and want to talk with me about a point I made that touched them.
Please pray for all the blessings and opportunities that the Lord gives me and Rosa.
We love each of you in the Lord,
Robert and Rosa
We want to take this time to tell everyone how much we appreciate your support, and love for our work for the Lord. Our work at the Prison has been an encouragement to be able to see men want to turn their life over to the Lord.
The inmate that was helping us with library duties was released in Sepetember, and two weeks later he called us to tell us that he was coming to Abilene, and he wanted Rosa and I to meet him at the University Church for worship services and also he wanted to go out and have lunch with us along with the Chaplain and two others volunteers. His mother and girl friend also joined us.
We had a wonderful visit with him and his mother. We both feel like this is the answer to our prayers, to be able to encourage him to have a productive life in the free world. And to continue to live a Christian life. We know we will have more oportunities to be with him, and his family.
The Lord is continuing to bless us in the library. We are having more conversations with the inmates about their expectations when they get back into the free world. We press the point they need to focus their lives in Christ, and continue to study His word and they will be okay.
We are having anywhere from 10 - 30 baptisms each Wednesday night. This is very uplifting to us.
After speaking on Wednesday nights, I always have young men from the prison approach me and want to talk with me about a point I made that touched them.
Please pray for all the blessings and opportunities that the Lord gives me and Rosa.
We love each of you in the Lord,
Robert and Rosa
Friday, October 5, 2007
September Report
Dear Friends
September has brought some exciting moments to us. Lectureship time and also visit from our friends that came to Abilene for the Lectures, and took the time to visit Robert and I. We cherish their visit with us. Also was birthday month for me and Minnie. We won´t talk about how old I am, but Minnie turned 25 years old. Time has really flown by!
The work at the prison is going very well. More inmates comes to the library each day.
We were told by one of the inmates the library is their favorite place in the unit. We were happy when we heard that. It is so wonderful to have some of these men come in and actually tell us how much our presence means to them.
On one to one basis they come and share their own personal struggles they have faced and are dealing with each day. They too tell us about their families, some say they received a letter from their wife asking for a divorce, which by the way is very common to happen with people in this situation. Others say their wife are having a hard time to make ends meet, and the list goes on. When these men are converted to Jesus often time days later guilt starts settling in because they come to the realizatin that they have failed their families. We tell them we all fail sometimes but we can make things right by doing the right thing. We cant change the past but we certainly can change the present. And we do not live for ourselves but we live for our Lord. This takes a lot of faith and a lot of will power. The Spirit will be our guide nothing else, and when we decide to do that everything else falls into place.
We tell them their sins have been washed away when they were baptized, the old man is dead a new has been born, that Jesus has brought them out of the darness. Isn´t this wonderful! It takes alot of confidence on their part to come and share their life and anxities with us. Some have asked me to call their families, but I was told by the Chaplain, we are not allowed to call inmates families as long as they are incarcerated.
But we can when they leave the system.
I have been corresponding with one of the inmates Robert and I have gotten to know really well. His name is Rogers and he is in another unit in Navasota, Texas. I believe this young man will be a great asset to the Lord´s work because he seems to be so sincere, no one talks about what the Lord has done for them unless the Spirit lives in that person, and I know God can change hearts because He changed mine many years ago, and if He did that for me I know He will to anyone that believes in Him.
Thank you for being apart of this work. Please keep us in your prayers.
Love,
Rosa and Robert
September has brought some exciting moments to us. Lectureship time and also visit from our friends that came to Abilene for the Lectures, and took the time to visit Robert and I. We cherish their visit with us. Also was birthday month for me and Minnie. We won´t talk about how old I am, but Minnie turned 25 years old. Time has really flown by!
The work at the prison is going very well. More inmates comes to the library each day.
We were told by one of the inmates the library is their favorite place in the unit. We were happy when we heard that. It is so wonderful to have some of these men come in and actually tell us how much our presence means to them.
On one to one basis they come and share their own personal struggles they have faced and are dealing with each day. They too tell us about their families, some say they received a letter from their wife asking for a divorce, which by the way is very common to happen with people in this situation. Others say their wife are having a hard time to make ends meet, and the list goes on. When these men are converted to Jesus often time days later guilt starts settling in because they come to the realizatin that they have failed their families. We tell them we all fail sometimes but we can make things right by doing the right thing. We cant change the past but we certainly can change the present. And we do not live for ourselves but we live for our Lord. This takes a lot of faith and a lot of will power. The Spirit will be our guide nothing else, and when we decide to do that everything else falls into place.
We tell them their sins have been washed away when they were baptized, the old man is dead a new has been born, that Jesus has brought them out of the darness. Isn´t this wonderful! It takes alot of confidence on their part to come and share their life and anxities with us. Some have asked me to call their families, but I was told by the Chaplain, we are not allowed to call inmates families as long as they are incarcerated.
But we can when they leave the system.
I have been corresponding with one of the inmates Robert and I have gotten to know really well. His name is Rogers and he is in another unit in Navasota, Texas. I believe this young man will be a great asset to the Lord´s work because he seems to be so sincere, no one talks about what the Lord has done for them unless the Spirit lives in that person, and I know God can change hearts because He changed mine many years ago, and if He did that for me I know He will to anyone that believes in Him.
Thank you for being apart of this work. Please keep us in your prayers.
Love,
Rosa and Robert
Friday, September 7, 2007
August Update
Dear Friends,
It is about the time of the month for us to write to you and let you know how much the Lord blessed us in the work for His kingdom. It seems that we talk about the same things but we do want to keep in touch, so that you can pray for us and also for the work we are doing.
We as christians have a common goal, and we all strive to do the best that we can. To teach the word and be an example of Christ to everyone we see.
During the 8 months we have been involved at the prison, we can understand how these men are learning Gods word and wants to obey it. They have so much free time to read the bible and religious material. Each day that we are there they asked us questions about the word of God, and this keeps us on our toes.
Because we never know what they are going to ask.
Most of the questions are about the Old Law and why certain ones doesnt aply to us and also about Marraige and Divorce. It is so wonderful to tell them that we are under Christ`s Law and His Grace.
Seventy baptisms this month. My main point when I talk with them is faith and courage. Because they are going to face many challenges when they are out in the free world. We tell them that with Christ can overcome any obstacle that they will have to face.
Portugal- We have been in contact with the christians in Lisbon, and also the people in the Estoril area and also Cascais. It is so encouraging to hear that they are growing in the Lord.
Thank you all for being a part in our work for your prayers.
In Christian love,
Robert and Rosa
It is about the time of the month for us to write to you and let you know how much the Lord blessed us in the work for His kingdom. It seems that we talk about the same things but we do want to keep in touch, so that you can pray for us and also for the work we are doing.
We as christians have a common goal, and we all strive to do the best that we can. To teach the word and be an example of Christ to everyone we see.
During the 8 months we have been involved at the prison, we can understand how these men are learning Gods word and wants to obey it. They have so much free time to read the bible and religious material. Each day that we are there they asked us questions about the word of God, and this keeps us on our toes.
Because we never know what they are going to ask.
Most of the questions are about the Old Law and why certain ones doesnt aply to us and also about Marraige and Divorce. It is so wonderful to tell them that we are under Christ`s Law and His Grace.
Seventy baptisms this month. My main point when I talk with them is faith and courage. Because they are going to face many challenges when they are out in the free world. We tell them that with Christ can overcome any obstacle that they will have to face.
Portugal- We have been in contact with the christians in Lisbon, and also the people in the Estoril area and also Cascais. It is so encouraging to hear that they are growing in the Lord.
Thank you all for being a part in our work for your prayers.
In Christian love,
Robert and Rosa
Friday, August 10, 2007
Update from Middleton State Prison Ministry
We thank God for the nice summer we have had, the lakes around Abilene are
full. Everywhere you look one sees green!
We are doing fine. Minnie has came twice to Abilene during the month to
spend the weekend with us. We enjoy her visit so much. Her job is going
well. She is studying for the CPA exam, and plan to take the first part this
month.
During the month of July the Chaplain went on vacation and he asked both of
us to be at the church services both on Wednesdays night and Sundays worship
services. This was a great opportunity for us to be involved in this work.
Ninety four men obeyed the Lord in baptism. It is our deepest prayer they
will continue to grow in the faith and be christian men thorough out their
lives.
When the chaplain returned from his vacation he told us that we had an open
invitation to all the church services there. Everything that is being done
at the Middleton Prison is a unified goal to encourage these men to be
upright citizens and to be utmost christians to continue their new life.
This is being done by several volunteers just like us that go there each day
to teach and encourage them.
Thank you all so much for your love and your prayers.
Love you all,
Robert and Rosa
full. Everywhere you look one sees green!
We are doing fine. Minnie has came twice to Abilene during the month to
spend the weekend with us. We enjoy her visit so much. Her job is going
well. She is studying for the CPA exam, and plan to take the first part this
month.
During the month of July the Chaplain went on vacation and he asked both of
us to be at the church services both on Wednesdays night and Sundays worship
services. This was a great opportunity for us to be involved in this work.
Ninety four men obeyed the Lord in baptism. It is our deepest prayer they
will continue to grow in the faith and be christian men thorough out their
lives.
When the chaplain returned from his vacation he told us that we had an open
invitation to all the church services there. Everything that is being done
at the Middleton Prison is a unified goal to encourage these men to be
upright citizens and to be utmost christians to continue their new life.
This is being done by several volunteers just like us that go there each day
to teach and encourage them.
Thank you all so much for your love and your prayers.
Love you all,
Robert and Rosa
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Happy Easter from the Reids
Dear Friends,
Spring is here, it is so wonderful to see nature coming alive once more. God is great!
We are doing fine. We have been able to visit our daughter Minnie twice this past month. It is so wonderful to be able to be with her and just have time to visit and be with each other. She has a little dog his name is Maximus, he is a vivacious little dog, and keeps her company.
The work at the prison is going well. Each time we go it is a great experience. It is a blessing to us that we have the opportunity to tell the inmates how great it is to be a child of God. Each individual struggles with different issues in their lives and each of them are there for different crimes. But no matter how bad each of them are we all need Christ in our lives and we all need to give our hearts to Him so we can have peace and know someday all of this will be just as a mirage and we are going to live with our Lord eternally.
As we have said in previous letters we have groups that comes in the library and stays about 45 minutes each. As they leave I always say thank you for coming in and may the Lord give you a good rest of the week. They too say the same to us, and also they say they are happy we are there. One of the security men after one group left said " They say God bless you, but they might go around and stick a knife on someone´s back" it surprised me he said that, but I told him that as long as they are in the library I have to give them the benefit of the doubt and God know their heart and all we are doing is to show them that we care.
Robert was invited to speak both services at Pecan Grove church in Greenville. It is always refreshing to go to different places and meet knew people and too for them to hear what God is doing in our lives. They are going to have him to go back in June.
The work at the Mall is going good. It is a lot like the work Robert is used to do , he meets new people each time and gives him the chance to talk about the hope that leads into salvation. Robert rolled in one of the stores and started talking with the clerk and after a little while the young man told Robert he would go with him to church sometime.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
HAVE A HAPPY EASTER
Love in Christ,
Robert and Rosa
Spring is here, it is so wonderful to see nature coming alive once more. God is great!
We are doing fine. We have been able to visit our daughter Minnie twice this past month. It is so wonderful to be able to be with her and just have time to visit and be with each other. She has a little dog his name is Maximus, he is a vivacious little dog, and keeps her company.
The work at the prison is going well. Each time we go it is a great experience. It is a blessing to us that we have the opportunity to tell the inmates how great it is to be a child of God. Each individual struggles with different issues in their lives and each of them are there for different crimes. But no matter how bad each of them are we all need Christ in our lives and we all need to give our hearts to Him so we can have peace and know someday all of this will be just as a mirage and we are going to live with our Lord eternally.
As we have said in previous letters we have groups that comes in the library and stays about 45 minutes each. As they leave I always say thank you for coming in and may the Lord give you a good rest of the week. They too say the same to us, and also they say they are happy we are there. One of the security men after one group left said " They say God bless you, but they might go around and stick a knife on someone´s back" it surprised me he said that, but I told him that as long as they are in the library I have to give them the benefit of the doubt and God know their heart and all we are doing is to show them that we care.
Robert was invited to speak both services at Pecan Grove church in Greenville. It is always refreshing to go to different places and meet knew people and too for them to hear what God is doing in our lives. They are going to have him to go back in June.
The work at the Mall is going good. It is a lot like the work Robert is used to do , he meets new people each time and gives him the chance to talk about the hope that leads into salvation. Robert rolled in one of the stores and started talking with the clerk and after a little while the young man told Robert he would go with him to church sometime.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
HAVE A HAPPY EASTER
Love in Christ,
Robert and Rosa
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