Lives are changing

God’s unconditional love for you!

As part of Bible study class we shared the following text with inmates at Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre in Makhado, Limpopo. Knowing how much God values us as believers helps us realize how indebted we are to Him to live a life dedicated to Him.

Jesus’ love is reaching out to you right now. His love, His forgiveness and His mercy are all right there, just for you, if you will only receive them. Jesus is not stacking up all your faults and failures and mistakes to hold against you. When He looks at you He sees possibilities that others do not see. He sees your every tear. He hears your every cry. He feels your every frustration, your every worry, your every burden, your every desire. He knows everything about you. He sees straight through to your heart of hearts and all that is in it, and He deeply loves you. He is right there by your side, and He will never ever forsake you.  He loves you and He patiently waits for you!

Here are some of the responses we got from inmates that participate in our Bible study course:

I feel like Jesus has forgiven me all my sins. He has accepted me into His Kingdom. He is embracing me. He is completely protecting me. He loves me and wants me to live a clean life. – Frans

Reading these words give me hope that Jesus loves me just the way I am. If I ask Him for forgiveness He will give it. He can even

Rising from the ashes of defeat

By Talitha

Each year we receive letters and test answers which make it evident that lives are changing in prison. Not all goes to our credit. We know that one sows the seeds another waters it but it is God that made it grow.

Here are some responses we received:

My life has changed completely since I started learning and reading the word of God. I used to think life was over for me, but now I have no more that thought again. My life has changed for the better.

I went through a stage in my life where I felt that I’m a hopeless case. That’s when I heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I gave my life to Christ and that’s when bit by bit my life has been transformed to a new creature. I love the Scripture where Jesus says if the Son has set you free you are free indeed.The words of God give me light and happiness. When I read the word of God, I feel free.

My life has radically been transformed through the word of God. I had this struggle of mind but I have learned to fight the darkness. I have to

God’s Word works wonders

The following responses were written by inmates who participate in the course we offer at a Limpopo correctional center.

Many good things come to my life in very surprising ways. I had lots of resentment in my life whereby I always had worries about the world problems. But after I received the word of God and reading it every time, I started to have comfort and learned to forgive everyone I have resented in life. The Word of God is doing many things in my life. – Tshepo

My life has radically been transformed through the word of God. I had this struggle of mind but I have learned to fight the darkness I have by allowing the light to come in. Through meditating and putting the word in practice I changed my way of thinking and acting. – Rodney

God has taken away all doubt and worries which used to dominate my life. I no longer worry about carnal things, but focus on God. God’s word has brought me happiness and joy. Before I used to be a loner and I was always sad and depressed thinking God didn’t love. – Nkanyiso

I have found peace within myself whereas in the past I was a very bitter man, a sinner and carnal minded person but after studying the word and starting to meditate a lot of things have changed within me. Although I’m still struggling with others but with God’s Word I will conquer all. Jesus changed my life for as a sinner I was already dead but Christ saved me and took away all my sins. They became His burden therefore that alone shows how much love He has for me. Even my biological parents can’t take my sins and make them their own or die for my sins. – Tankiso

I know how to live with other people and to forgive one another. Even now, I know God is there. God loves us more than anything that is here in the world. So that is what I learned I about God. I will never turn back. I am a son of God. – Bongani

I have changed my life. I have changed my attitude. I am now willing to work on positive things only and avoid the problems in my life because God said, “everything is possible for those who believe.” – Aderto

I have learned to practice and memorize God’s Word daily. I go to a quiet place and have moments with God and learned to pray and wait for an answer. – Devine

When I feel troubled, whatever bad things are trying to tempt me to do wrong, I just take it to God in prayer. A lot of things changed. Even my family tells me that I’m different than before. I can see wrong from right. There is a bright future for me and I have a good successful future plan by giving my problems to Jesus. – Reginald

Since I realized God’s Words everything changed for the better. For me accepting God’s words brings joy to my whole entire life and happiness. I know now how to communicate without anger and with Him I am happy. – Bongani

“Your words take me back to God…”

Mr.Rogers Ntumba writes:

Dear Josef and Talitha,

Thank you for the proof of love I find in you – the love which does not care about race nor background – the true and pure love. Thank you for being there for me and encouraging me always. You know, your words take me back to God. They are like a mirror to me when I’m struggling and when I’m rejoicing. And not only that, they have been inspiring me to always buy airtime just to send SMSs to people with some Biblical verses. I just compose a number without knowing the person. And today I have many friends. Some of them I have never met. A government minister asked me “who gave you my number?” and became a friend. He said he needs more such SMSs. But do you know the source? It’s you, wow? Another SMS reached the prosecutor woman’s phone. She now gave me her email address and I’ve been sending her the 12 Foundation’s Stones Bible Study Course, can you imagine this?

All this to say that what you are doing is big in God’s eyes. It has been changing hearts and brought souls to Jesus Christ. That is why I told you, “DO MORE! FORGET ALL YOUR LAST VICTORIES BECAUSE EVERY DAY IS A NEW DEPARTURE.” Only God will be able to add up what we do and give us the total at the end. It is for us just to do more.

“I’m blessed to have you…”

Here are a couple letters some of you have recently wrote us:

I’m blessed to have you guys. Your spiritually uplifting messages come always at the right time. You are a real Godsend in my life and I always regain courage and strength when I get your messages. Unfortunately I’m no longer responding as usual to your messages because we’ve moved offices at work and Telkom hasn’t installed the lines yet. I have to use someone else’s laptop to check my emails and with the phone, well, you know the airtime problem. But I really appreciate your messages so please do not stop. If it was not for your support, I don’t think I would be able to face this world. I’m really blessed to have you guys. Keep well.

God bless you and your family,

Ntombi

“I slip in and out of depression…”

Here are a couple letters some of you have recently wrote us:

I cannot wait till Monday to read your awesome messages. They are truly so uplifting and inspiring. Today you asked if there was anything you could pray for me. What a blessing to hear that. You must be my guardian angel. I am currently going through such a bad patch in my life, I am a single mother with two wonderful girls, Tazmin age 16 years old and Taneal age 7 years old. Without them I am not sure where I would be. The love of God keeps me going but sometimes I slip in and out of depression which takes me to a horrible place.

Connie

“I was obedient to God”

Lungile writes:

Praise the Lord! Thank you, Father God, You are so wonderful.

I’m so thrilled to see what the Lord is doing. You are a blessing to my family. I thank God for connecting me with you. Can I briefly share with you  what happened after I was obedient to God by sowing R500.00 towards a bakkie for your work. Our old Opel Astra was sold immediately to the garage we took it to and we got the R30 000.00 which we needed as a deposit for our new car.

God is Faithful; He takes care of his children.

God bless