Before you read this letter, I need to preface it by stating that this is a man who has been in prison for 24 years. Over the past three months I have watched in grow in faith, love, and humility. Three months ago he wasn’t thinking of witnessing to other cell mates. I present this letter to show my readers how much a life can change in short period of time when they are immersed with the Word of God and stories of spiritual courage and character.

Mark Hamby

Dear Mark,

…..The hard part for me is that I am very isolated in this ward. I did, however, have an opportunity to share the Word with a young man named Ds. D was my cell-mate for about a week when we both arrived here in May from CH Prison. We were later moved to separate cell-blocks. D's case is sad, (like many are). He was in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people. In fact, his poor choices most likely would have landed him in jail eventually. D was hanging out with his “friends” one evening, drinking and using drugs. A young man was assaulted by some of D's friends. D was picked up by the police along with some of his other friends and charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and several other related charges. He spent several months in the County Prison. When his case came to court they offered to let D go with a sentence of probation and credit for the time he served while waiting to go to court. All D had to do was to plead guilty to the charges. Being innocent, D decided to go to trial. He lost the case and was sentenced to 3 years. The case is not on appeal. After serving one year, D was eligible for release on Parole. Parole was denied on the same day D celebrated his 21st birthday. He called home to give his mom the bad news that he wasn’t coming home. She was sick in the hospital. He called his girlfriend, but she left him for another man. With this much and more weighing on his heart and shoulders, D became suicidal and was transferred to the infirmary ward where he could be observed closely. I don’t think D was suicidal at all. He was hurting badly, afraid for his mother’s health and well-being. He didn’t know how to express his pain or hurt. Like many young men feel, he was afraid that expressing his feelings was a sign of weakness or being a coward. My heart went out to this young man. I could see and feel his pain and fears. I knew too that this would be another opportunity to share God’s Word. I was afraid too because I didn’t have my Bible. I did know that our bodies are a temple of God and certainly not ours to sacrifice. I also explained to D that these “tough times” are the experiences in our lives that build up our character and strength. Without a little rain, how could we even really appreciate and enjoy the sunshine? All things both good and bad work together to bring glory and praise to God!

I have no idea where in the Bible I read these words of truth and wisdom, but they are there and it is a miracle that I seemed able to recall these scriptures at an appropriate time of need. I also recalled the book of Job, and told him of my encounters with terminal patients when I was in the hospital to demonstrate to D how fortunate he was to have his good health, youth, a loving family who are supportive of him and I told him how good and loving God has been to me. How much he comforts me when I am alone or afraid. For three days D and I talked about the Lord ourselves. As much as I wanted to ask D to receive Christ, I didn’t. I wanted him to want Christ! And I wanted him to make that choice for himself. I just kept on praying and sharing God’s Word with him. Mark, on the third day D asked me! How can I get to know God better? He had tears in his eyes and so did I as I asked him to pray the sinner’s prayer with me and receive Christ. He did! I was so happy, I hugged him. Later that day he was sent back to his cell-block, happy and smiling. Once again by sharing the Word, D and I both have grown closer to Christ…

n Christ’s love, J S