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
Friday, December 7, 2007
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
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Robert and Rosa Update 3/7/07
Rosa and I are doing fine. We are pleased how our work for the Lord is
going. The prison work is wonderful. Rosa is helping with library duties,
she checks books out and she also checks the books as the inmates brings them in.
We have several groups of inmates coming to the library each group consists
of about 13 men and each group have 45 minutes. While they are in the
library they read, some will watch videos of TV evangelists, and some choose to talk with us. They usually talk about their lives and they ask us to pray for them.
It is so wonderful to cherish what the Lord can do in their lives. Because the Lord has bless us so much and He also can bless them as well. There is not a stain the Lord cannot clean.
Somedays I go to the Mall of Abilene, this is more like the work I have done for several years. I just didnt know how this would work in Abilene. The employees in the stores are getting to know me. The owner of this clothing store saw me and decided that I needed a lucky charm and he put one around my neck. I could not turned down the offer. With this incident it gave me the opportunity to talk with him. When Rosa came to pick me up she was surprised, and asked who gave you that?
We have been in contact with some of the people in Portugal, and for most of them they are doing fine. Please pray for them.
Thank you all for your love and prayers for us and the work.
In Christian love,
Robert and Rosa
going. The prison work is wonderful. Rosa is helping with library duties,
she checks books out and she also checks the books as the inmates brings them in.
We have several groups of inmates coming to the library each group consists
of about 13 men and each group have 45 minutes. While they are in the
library they read, some will watch videos of TV evangelists, and some choose to talk with us. They usually talk about their lives and they ask us to pray for them.
It is so wonderful to cherish what the Lord can do in their lives. Because the Lord has bless us so much and He also can bless them as well. There is not a stain the Lord cannot clean.
Somedays I go to the Mall of Abilene, this is more like the work I have done for several years. I just didnt know how this would work in Abilene. The employees in the stores are getting to know me. The owner of this clothing store saw me and decided that I needed a lucky charm and he put one around my neck. I could not turned down the offer. With this incident it gave me the opportunity to talk with him. When Rosa came to pick me up she was surprised, and asked who gave you that?
We have been in contact with some of the people in Portugal, and for most of them they are doing fine. Please pray for them.
Thank you all for your love and prayers for us and the work.
In Christian love,
Robert and Rosa
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Update from Middleton State Prison Ministry
When we decided to be volunteers at the prison, Rosa and I didnt know what to expect because we have not been in this type of work before. But now that we have been a few times, we know we can do it. The chaplain told us the library would be a good place for us to be, and the first week we went we noticed they have a lot of Max Lucados books in there so Rosa looked for The Applause of Heaven and we decided this would be a good way to introduce ourselves to the inmates and therefore this will help them to open up to us.
When we went there this week, Williams one library helpers started looking for Max book, and he said after the first group of men came in, here is something that is inspirational about Mr.Robert and everyone was so interested to know that the person mentioned in the book was actually there.
To our surprise everyone started applauding and they held their hands up they they were saying praise the Lord, alleluia!
It was so uplifting to us when several of those men stayed by where we were and they wanted to tell us about how God had changed their attitude and how they wanted so much to learn about Him, and also they asked us if we could pray for them and of course we did. One asked if he could pray for us and we said please do. We were touched by his prayer, it was such an uplifting prayer.
I had in mind that we were going there to help them, but the Lord showed me I was wrong. They helped us too! It is so wonderful to see people that is so eager to learn about God.
One might think how terrible it is that one has to be in a certain condition before they realize that we have a God that cares for us, Sometimes though it takes a big fall for one to become totally dependent on God.
Once again the Lord has showed me how he can open hearts to those who we think it could never be touched.
When we went there this week, Williams one library helpers started looking for Max book, and he said after the first group of men came in, here is something that is inspirational about Mr.Robert and everyone was so interested to know that the person mentioned in the book was actually there.
To our surprise everyone started applauding and they held their hands up they they were saying praise the Lord, alleluia!
It was so uplifting to us when several of those men stayed by where we were and they wanted to tell us about how God had changed their attitude and how they wanted so much to learn about Him, and also they asked us if we could pray for them and of course we did. One asked if he could pray for us and we said please do. We were touched by his prayer, it was such an uplifting prayer.
I had in mind that we were going there to help them, but the Lord showed me I was wrong. They helped us too! It is so wonderful to see people that is so eager to learn about God.
One might think how terrible it is that one has to be in a certain condition before they realize that we have a God that cares for us, Sometimes though it takes a big fall for one to become totally dependent on God.
Once again the Lord has showed me how he can open hearts to those who we think it could never be touched.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
The World is an Emply Place without God...
ACU is still out for the holidays so I have continued to go to the Mall of Abilene. I have seen couples that I have known at ACU and other congregations. It is so good to be able to share our lives and the love we have for each other in Christ.
I met a young man about high school age, and through our conversation he said he did not believe in anything including his parents. He said everyone has let him down. I told him that I have the Lord on my side and with Him I can keep going. He smiled and he admitted he needs something in his life. I hope I can see him again. This world is an empty place without the Lord. He is the only one that can completely fill the gap.
I met a young man about high school age, and through our conversation he said he did not believe in anything including his parents. He said everyone has let him down. I told him that I have the Lord on my side and with Him I can keep going. He smiled and he admitted he needs something in his life. I hope I can see him again. This world is an empty place without the Lord. He is the only one that can completely fill the gap.
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