Set Free A Publication of Prison Fellowship Australia - Queensland My Issue 1 May 2015 Inside This Issue Page 3 Amobi’s Story Page 4-5 God And The Bird Feeder Page 6 Jason Ledbury Page 7 Story ...Part 4 R ight at this moment, as I am writing this to you, I am going through deep waters in my own Christian walk. Some close family, whom I love dearly, seemingly have abandoned me, and I’m hurting because of it. It doesn’t seem fair. Often times, life throws us a curve ball that we swing at and miss. It’s like strike three and we’re out! Life simply is not fair. But I’m not alone in this life, and you don’t have to be either. My mom and dad passed away years ago so I can’t run to them for comfort and wisdom. My daughter and her family have their own struggles to deal with and so they’re not in the picture. My wonderful wife, who is always there for me, is a blessing from God....but she can’t heal a broken heart or a crushed spirit....only my Heavenly Father can do that. And the door to His presence is always open to His children, no matter who we are or what we are going through. He said, “I will never leave you or forsake you”. You may think that because people haven’t received Jesus as their Saviour that they are without hope in the mess they find themselves in. Well, you might be right, but it doesn’t have to remain that way. After all, everyone who came to Jesus was once on the outside looking in. Listen to these wonderful words of hope from Ephesians 2:12-13 “Once upon a time you were living apart from Christ J e s u s . You were excluded from God’s people, and you did not know the Michael Poole promises that Ex-Prisoner God made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you belong to Christ Jesus. Though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought near to Him because of the blood of Christ.” (NLT). You may say to me, “Well, I got myself into this mess by my own stupidity, so why would God have anything to do with me? It’s my own fault....I’m on my own.” While it’s good to realise our mistakes, deliberate or otherwise, we are all created in the image of God. We are all His creations. He loves His creation and we’re all a part of that. God’s desire is for the broken hearted and the crushed in spirit, as well as those whose closest family have seemingly abandoned them, to come to Him (Matthew 11:28-30) for rest. You don’t have to be on your own. It’s important also to know that God is not a ‘convenience’ who’s there to bail us out whenever we get in deep poop. God wants us to confess our sins to Him, asking Him to forgive ...Continued on page 2 From the State Manager... Dear Friends of PFA Queensland Welcome to the NEW newsletter and new name of SET FREE! Prison Fellowship Australia is undergoing some structural changes and with that comes a nationally produced newsletter with great local content. In this edition you’ll read about what’s happening around the State, the latest developments with our core ministries and you’ll get to meet one of our regional chaplains. David Way State Manager Angel Tree last Christmas was a testament to God and His people working together to make Christmas a blessing to hundreds of families. This year we’ll run two camps for prisoner’s children, the only camps of their kind in the State. The 2015 ‘Art from Inside’ Exhibition and Competition will be held in June with the opening night on Friday June 19th at ACU. Last year’s works were stunning and we expect the same this year. across the State every week, some visiting the watch houses in Cairns and Southport, and others serving with court support in Charters Towers and Atherton. We’ve been running the STP - Sycamore Tree Project in Queensland since 2011, starting at Woodford, then Borallon and now regularly since 2012 at Southern Queensland Correctional Centre near Gatton. We’re also piloting a new STP at Logan Probation and Parole that started last week. There’s a lot happening and we are grateful to our chaplains, volunteers and supporters who serve and give faithfully to make all this possible. Read on and enjoy this new edition of SET FREE. We have over 35 prison chaplains visiting prisons David Way State Manager ...Continued from page 1 MyStory us and give us the free gift of His salvation, found only through believing in His Son Jesus Christ. That is the place where we lay our heavy burden of sin down, and enter into the resting place of His salvation. That’s the place where a whole new life begins. That’s the place of God’s refreshing and renewal of the hope we thought was gone. No matter what our circumstances are, the God of Hope can restore hope into our lives. My prayer is from Romans 15:13....”Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” So now you have an overview of my life inside and outside of prison. The Lord God has given me a new life, a new future filled with hope and a wonderful wife to share it with. In 2007 the Lord opened a door for me to return to prison, this time as a volunteer worker with Prison Fellowship Canada, sharing The Good News of salvation through Christ Jesus alone, in the nation’s capital city of Ottawa. As Philippians 1:12 so beautifully states, “Everything that has happened to me (my past and time spent in prison), has been used by God to further the work of The Gospel today.” (My paraphrase). All too often, in my volunteer work behind prison walls, I meet with Christians, true born again children of God, who have been sentenced for breaking the law, and are about to embark on a few years behind bars as a result. What went wrong with their Christianity? Why did a man or woman, with the Holy Spirit living inside of them, go off the rails and end up looking like all the people in the world around them? Did Jesus fail in their lives? Can the Son of God not keep His people out of trouble with the law? Prison Fellowship Australia Set Free May 2015 Pg. 2 ...Part 4 Has He not got more power than the world system, our fleshly desires, or satan? These are valid questions....why do Christians get caught up in sins serious enough to warrant imprisonment? The good news in all of this is that there are answers, and everyone can learn from them and so avoid repeated offences that create a revolving door of in and out, in and out of prison over several years. One of these answers is watch out who you choose as friends. The bible says that “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Corinthians 15:33), and Proverbs 13:20b tells us that “a companion of fools suffers harm”. How about this eye opening statement from Proverbs 13:21, “Evil pursues sinners, but to the righteous, good shall be repaid.” Now it seems to me that if you hang around with the ‘trouble crowd’, if fools are your constant companions, and those who you call your ‘friends’ are doing drugs, drinking heavily, and are well known to the police....you are going to suffer harm, be corrupted, and always find trouble every time you look over your shoulder because it’s chasing and catching you. God’s Word doesn’t lie. Remember, that you reap a harvest of the seeds you sow with your lifestyle. Another thing to remember here is that a Christian has lifestyle choices to make just like everyone else. You can choose to follow the ways that got you into trouble in the first place, or you can sit down with your bible and find out by reading it what the right lifestyle choices are, and how to live by them. To be continued... Previous parts of Michael’s story can be found on the PFAQ website at www.prisonfellowship.org.au/qld Prison Fellowship Presents An Exhibition of Prisoner’s Artwork NATIONAL & NEW SOUTH WALES EXHIBITION Exhibition Dates: Friday 7th to Sunday 23rd August Time: 10am - 4pm daily Official Opening: Friday 7th August, 2pm - 4pm Venue: Parklea Correctional Centre, 66 Sentry Drive Parklea – Visitors’ Cafe RSVP before Friday 31st July as this is a catered event. We will hear from Vance Reaburn, an ex-inmate who served an eight year prison sentence, and during this time entered each year’s Art from Inside exhibition. He has recently been released and has his own website http://www.vancereaburn.com.au/ STATE EXHIBITIONS QUEENSLAND TASMANIA Exhibition Dates: Thursday 18th to Thursday 25th June - Closed on Weekend Exhibition Dates: 25th June to 1st July Venue: Australian Catholic University, 1100 Nudgee Road Banyo, Brisbane. Official Opening: Friday 19th June, 7pm A beautiful supper will be provided by the wonderful ladies from the Helena Jones Centre. This is a free event but there will be an opportunity to make a donation. Register your attendance for catering by calling 07 3399 3190 or email [email protected] Venue: Salamanca Arts Centre Sidespace gallery Time: 10am – 4pm VICTORIA Exhibition Dates: 16th June - 5th July Official Opening: Thursday 18th June, 7.30 - 9.30pm Light refreshments will be served. Venue: Walk of Art. MC Square Manningham City Square 687 Doncaster Road, Doncaster 3108 Prison Fellowship Australia Set Free May 2015 Pg. 3 AMOBI’S Story L ittle did we think when we first met Amobi Maduagwu six years ago that he would have such a profound impact on our lives. Therese and I are volunteers with Prison Fellowship, visiting prison weekly to support the chaplains. One tday the chaplain asked us if we would consider mentoring a Nigerian inmate, whom he believed warranted support and encouragement. We visited Amobi, and were quite distressed to hear his story. Nigeria is a very tribal society, with primary loyalty going to the family and the tribe. Amobi was a promising boxer and the tribal chief took him under his wing, offering training facilities, visas, access to contacts which led to him becoming Nigerian welterweight boxing champion and on his way to the AllAfrica championship. Everything seemed to be going well. Then came the payoff. “Here is an airline ticket to Australia in two days’ time. Here are 40 condoms filled with heroin. You swallow the condoms an hour before you catch the flight. You will be met in Sydney, taken to a hotel ‘till nature takes its course. Then you will catch a return flight home to Nigeria and we are all square. You won’t owe me anything for your training and career support.” “No, I won’t do it.” “That’s OK. We just kill your wife and daughter.” What would you do? Amobi flew from Nigeria to Australia, where he was promptly apprehended by Customs officials and consigned to the Remand Centre where we met him. We quickly recognised that here was a young man who did not fit the usual characteristics of the a drug trafficker. He had immediately confessed his crime and the reasons for it. He showed clear evidence of contrition, spiritual understanding and experience, so we were happy to mentor him. graces, and the respect with which other inmates treated him, so as the prison population grew and the chaplaincy load increased, Amobi was invited to lead weekly Bible study and worship. We also sponsored him to study for a Preliminary Certificate in Theology. Because of Corrective Services’ security concerns, no inmate is allowed access to the internet, so he was limited solely to the set text books and a study bible. Remarkably, a month before he was deported to Nigeria at the end of November 2014, he had finished 12 of the 18 subjects, completing the Preliminary and Intermediate levels of the PTC, with only the Advanced level to go. Because of his good behaviour at, he was transferred to another low security facility. We continued to visit him there monthly and help him with his studies. He was given a C3 classification – the first deportee to my knowledge to be given this privilege – which meant that he could live in a special compound, within the gaol bounds, but outside the razor wire, and eventually even allowed to work on a building site in the town, riding to and from the gaol on a donated push bike – again, the only deportee we know of given this sort of privilege. This was a real boon, as he was earning Australian wages, not the $30 a week for ingaol work, and was able to send money back to Nigeria to support his wife and daughter. The local chaplain is a Roman Catholic lay brother. He speaks highly of Amobi, and said, “I wish he was one of mine. We could use him in prison ministry.” Indeed, a group of Prison Fellowship members who had grown close to Amobi began efforts to help him remain in Australia and train for church ministry here. However, some six months ago his wife died from a sudden massive heart attack, leaving his 10 year old daughter, Precious, in the care of her grandmother. Amobi then saw his main priority to return to Nigeria to take care of Precious, despite any threats of retaliation from the drug lords. We supported him through his trial and conviction – nine years with six years non-parole - and visited him weekly. Following his conviction, he was sent to a low security facility, some 200km away. We visited Amobi monthly during his stay there. It was during this time that he began to discern that God was calling him to the ministry – specifically to minister to people like him who had been caught up in criminal activity and could not find a way out. Late last year, a fortnight after writing his letter, he was deported to Nigeria, and is struggling to re-establish his life there. He hopes soon to get a computer with internet access so that we can keep in touch by Skype and help him with his ongoing studies. The chaplain quickly recognised Amobi’s gifts and Russell and Therese Davies Prison Fellowship Volunteers Prison Fellowship Australia Set Free May 2015 Pg. 4 Prison Fellowship gives access to a most fulfilling ministry. We both agree that whatever blessing we have brought to others through Prison Fellowship, we have been even more blessed ourselves. Below is a letter of appreciation written by Amobi to Prison Fellowship. It is an amazing and moving testimony and serves to remind us of how our volunteers can be used by God – an encouragement for all. be released soon . to e Dear Brother in Christ du am I t bu , le hi d been locked up for a w ha I d an i, e doing, ob m A is e m k which you arni My na or w nt lle ce ex e th sation had r fo organisation and rejects of the society. Your orga e Ch ur yo d an u yo who d en m m I just want to coand hospitality to the mos t dejectede to unders tand why we mus t imitwatho neriedsta doctor. spreading loveristianity in its full practice . I cam I know as well why it is the sick taught me Chsinners and set the captive free . Now came to save sick and God healed me. d I am gratefulyoan at th y sa In fact I was to u yo s te ri u w why I decidedittoh the good works. If anyone amongst andha is at th d an is th to y stimon to keep on w ve up on them . Simply do your be I am a living te ur colleagues ey yo e ag ur co en to u yo ge also to ur ning those they are visiting, th shouldn’ t gi doub ts concer to God . y life t and turn mut ar he leave the rest ed nd ou e w y m al rs as a tool to hel and emotional needs for throughos, nomony efivin ee nt lu vo ip sh w llo Fe iritua y, no friend oduced me God has used Prprisovonided unconditionally for my sped I had no familin 09 20 in up y ck he lo T . as la and he intrve stuck Iw ap n around ch he e W th . in ce d en de nt se nfi ol co I ga s and dejected . visit, Russell and Therese , his wife , ha ss and a half year le pe ho , st lo y ll ta to as eir very first lled them my God -parents. Aus tralia . I won couple . Since th ul rf de w t os m is fe th to of li in gaol . I ca ns w do d an s up y m l eling strong hedalfathm-ily fe t no e ar with me in al ey th n he w wherever I mayembeenevt en ve me and mdy .diIstcarensseproudly ga th ey on m th y ch er hi ev w t si vi to il ag They never facannot express the love and encour ing me to the Bible, the word of Goand Therese wise. Words best among their deeds is introduc pe in Christ Jesus because Russell up , my spirit is in Africa. Thee to know the love of God and my hothough I am still physically locked stian . I couldn’t say that I camay for me. I was relieved that even it’s the life wire for ever y true Chri me in Bible pointed the wto know the power of prayer and whyr inmates. Those who listened joined ed my faith and free . I came ck to myself so I star ted telling othe e, but their acts instead streng then hold these ba emis ts tried to sabotage and mock m studies. Extruse to glorif y God . d , enrolled me Go r fo ve li to t es gave me a ca qu y m in the potential ap fe . Now I will be li ng y ei m se , in se re ed he en T op d r te an ll w ch d. 12, Russe with a zeal to serve Go At some point inge20 by correspondendrceug. Adene an gy m lo a eo to th y er al ud st to into Bible Colledifferent person . From a convicted going home a ents with the rest of im pl m co y m e ar sh se ea ce again . Pl . Thank you onsh alia Prison Fellow ip Aus tr blessed . Thank you and remain Faithfully yours Amobi Maduagw Russell , Amobi & Therese Prison Fellowship Australia Set Free May 2015 Pg. 5 GOD And The Bird Like a bird on the wire Like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free… If I, if I have been unkind I hope that you can just let it go by If I, if I have been untrue I hope you know it was never to you But I swear by this song And by all that I have done wrong I will make it all up to thee… I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch He said to me, “You must not ask for so much” And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door She cried to me, “Hey, why not ask for more?” Feeder A few years ago a massive snowstorm brought everything to a standstill. Hard pellets of snow and freezing rain coated the streets and grass and trees with several inches of hard crystalline snow. The morning after the storm a pair of forlorn looking birds – Cardinals, showed up at our bird-feeder - unable to get at the seeds frozen beneath the ice. I watched their pathetic futile efforts. My heart went out to those helpless little birds. Where else would they find food under the hard layers of ice? How long could they possibly survive in the cold without food? How many birds would suffer and die as a result of the storm? I watched the Cardinals for a few more minutes and then I went outside into the freezing cold to break the ice from the feeder and replenish it with a fresh supply of bird seed. No sooner had I done that than the cardinals were back. Soon they were joined by a dove, several sparrows, and a couple of nuthatches. Seeing them at the feeder made me happy. The night before the storm Celeste and I had gone out to dinner with some friends. In a back lane near the restaurant a woman approached me pleading for help – saying she desperately needed money for food and heat. Ignoring her, I brushed by her outstretched hand and wondered – How many people are there in this city who are able-bodied but not working for a living? How many beggars use the money they obtain for drugs and drink instead of real food? Why doesn’t the government take care of its poor instead of squandering billions of dollars every month on wars in distant places maiming, killing, and displacing tens of thousands of people? Her pleading voice receded behind my back when I swear I heard another voice – “Be on your way then, for I am hungry and cold my need is of no concern or consequence to you.” I stopped and turned around, the lady with the outstretched Prison Fellowship Australia Set Free May 2015 Pg. 6 Oh, like a bird on the wire Like a drunk in a midnight choir I have tried in my way to be free (From “Bird on a Wire” by Leonard Cohen) hand was still looking at me. Her eyes met mine as my heart and hand reached out toward hers. “God bless you sir,” she whispered as I left. “God bless you!” she shouted after me as I turned and walked away wondering if I’d done a good thing or not. A few steps later I swear I heard the other voice again, more quiet but as real – “Thank you for coming back to me, I really needed you – you’re like family to me, the only family I have.” Sometimes it is easier, more convenient, less demanding and even more satisfying – no strings attached - to care for the birds and animals and trees than it is to care for needy people. There is nothing wrong with feeding the birds, or being concerned as whales die on the beaches, and polar bears struggle to survive on the shrinking Arctic ice cap – but it is very right to care for vagrants, beggars, orphans, prisoners, and the people who suffer whether through their own fault or not. Jesus is hidden in the infirmities and needs of people all around us, He is waiting for his family to care for Him among the last, the least, and the lost people wherever they are - to care for them as much as – no – much more than they care for the birds and whales and trees. And I pray … Lord – open my eyes to see you in the poverty, disease, and pain that is so often hidden in plain sight all around me among family members, friends and neighbors, coworkers, clerks and servers, people near me and people far away… Melt away the hardness of my heart to embrace you in their suffering as you embraced me with your love by suffering on the cross. Ron Nikkel President Emeritus of PFI Meet Jason Ledbury P rompting and searching! That’s how it happened! Jason Ledbury has been serving as a Prison Fellowship Chaplain at Maryborough Correctional Centre for just over 2 years now. He did not get ‘recruited’ in a church deputation, or by a friend. As Jason puts it: “I had been praying to know the Lord’s will for me in further service. One morning while in prayer the words ‘prison chaplaincy’ came to me very clearly. I knew immediately that God had placed this on my heart.” The Spirit had done the prompting and in put their hope and trust in Jesus.” response Jason got onto Google - a short search revealed Prison Fellowship, and In the ‘outside’ world Jason works for an one email sealed his path! energy company and leads a project team seeking to introduce new ways of working and This calling has been confirmed again and new technology to improve field operations again in the last 2 years. “I clearly recall and customer service. For recreation he likes one prison service where one of the men to combine cycling and good coffee – one asked me if he could perform a song he had leading to the other when he rides with friends. written. I had never met this man before and found myself having to make an on-the-spot He is married to Karyn and they have two decision without knowing anything about the teenage daughters. Jason is also an elder at man, let alone what the lyrics of the song were Hervey Bay Baptist church. about. I clearly remember noting the tattoos of anger and threats on his arms and hands that held the guitar he was asking to play. I said He sums up his Prison Fellowship work thus: something like: ‘Sure, that would be great’, “There are so many men seeking another while inwardly hoping that I had not just made path as they reassess their life choices while a very bad decision! Moments later he started in prison. It is a great privilege for me to be to play his guitar and sing of his Lord’s great able to share the good news that Jesus came love and mercy to him. It was a song which to free people from fear and bondage into came from a heart that was being transformed freedom and new life. To see the power of by the love of our Saviour. It was with a sense the Holy Spirit and God’s word open men’s of awe that I listened and reflected afresh on eyes and hearts to truth and life is an amazing the miracle of new life that comes to all who blessing.” Prison Fellowship Australia Set Free May 2015 Pg. 7 FAREWELL BARBARINA Last year, our dear friend and faithful bookkeeper at the PF Queensland office, Barb MacKenzie, lost her battle with cancer. Best known at PFAQ by our long term office manager Jan Davis, Barb and Jan had known each other for decades. Barb suffered quietly and courageously giving thanks for the life she had and trusting her life to God no matter what. Prison Fellowship Queensland gives thanks for the life of Barb, and thanks to her husband Colin, who graciously released her to serve, even in the midst of the treatments. Thank you Barb, you are not forgotten. May you rest in peace. Barbarina Beryl MacKenzie 1942 - 2014 INSIDE OUT CHAPLAINCY/PRISON FELLOWSHIP - TRAINING In mid-October 2014, Inside Out Chaplaincy and Prison Fellowship Qld partnered for a two days of Chaplaincy Training and Fellowship. The worship to God and unity expressed between the two organisations was deeply moving, and a major highlight for the weekend was a presentation about how to respect and connect with our Islamic brothers and sisters. The two organisations are planning to meet again in October 2015 for the combined training. FOUNDER’S MEMORIAL DINNER In October 2014, Ron Nikkel, PF International President Emeritus, visited Brisbane and spoke at a number of special events. One in particular was the Founder’s Memorial Dinner where PF Queensland honoured the passing of three local leaders who helped to see Prison Fellowship established in Australia – Jim Fisher, Tom Scarlett and Cec Lockhart. The venue was the Royal on the Park Hotel, formerly known as Park Royal Hotel, where Tom Scarlett arranged a public meeting for Chuck Colson to speak to a group of 100 people in 1981. Chris Hampton, Peter Lockhart, Ron Nikkel and David Way At the Founder’s Memorial Dinner The dinner was a very moving time of reflection, with Ruth Scarlett, wife of Tom, and the children of the founders in attendance. Ron Nikkel gave a very moving speech and there was an opportunity to contribute to the PFA Founders Memorial Trust. You can watch the whole dinner program at the link below or you can order the $5.00 DVD by calling 07 3399 3190 or email [email protected] Every DVD ordered will receive a special edition PFAQ pen. ($5.00 covers the DVD and postage) http://pfqueensland.info/2014/11/21/video-of-the-founders-memorial-dinner PFAQ CONFERENCE 2015 In early March over 60 chaplains, volunteers and supporters, attended the 2015 PFAQ Conference. The highlights of the day were the chaplain’s heart moving stories of the Spirit of God working in the lives of chaplains and prisoners, and a profound presentation by Dr Wendell Rosevear on the topic of “Making Love Infectious”. Alison Brooks The video of Dr Wendell’s talks are now available in and Suzette Baker the Media & Videos section of our website at www. At the 2015 PFAQ Conference prisonfellowship.org.au/qld and the DVDs can be ordered for $5.00 through the office on 07 3399 3190 or email [email protected] PFAQ VIDEOS There is a new facility on the PFA Queensland website to watch a range of very encouraging and informative video clips. Just go to www.prisonfellowship.org.au/qld and then click on the Media & Videos tab. SYCAMORE TREE PROJECT - STP The STP brings victims of crime together with random prisoners to discuss the effects of crime and explore opportunities of justice and reconciliation, without judgement or accusation. The eight week program has a profound influence on everyone involved. If you have been a victim of crime and would like more information on this innovative justice program, contact the PFAQ office on 07 3399 3190, email [email protected] or check out the STP website at www.sycamorevoices.org Help us tell others what we do Prison Fellowship volunteers have inspirational life changing stories about how Jesus is changing lives and bringing light to prisoners and their families. You can help spread word of our work. To invite a speaker to your church or small group please ring our office on 07 3399 3190. Support the Work of Prison Fellowship If you would like to support Prison Fellowship in changing lives, you can make a secure donation via our website: www.prisonfellowship.org.au/qld Or you can give directly to the Prison Fellowship bank account: BSB: 084 044 Account number: 12372 9969 (please call or email our office to confirm your direct deposit if you require a receipt. All donations $2 and over are tax deductible) Prison Fellowship Australia Queensland P.O. BOX 3310 Norman Park, QLD 4170 Phone: 07 3399 3190, Fax: 07 3399 7193 Email: [email protected] Web: www.prisonfellowship.org.au *PLEASE NOTE FOR SAFETY REASONS, THIS NEWSLETTER MUST NOT GO INTO PRISONS
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