Greetings
Week 34 of the lockdown ๐.
COVID-19 cases as of 11/06/20; Dixon: confirmed staff 92, recovered staff 49, confirmed inmates 221, recovered inmates 47 | Sheridan: confirmed staff 25, recovered staff 17; confirmed inmates 22, recovered inmates 22 | IDOC: confirmed staff 1383, recovered staff 1101; confirmed inmates 2689, recovered inmates 2122. I was shocked by the case numbers at Dixon number this week. Dixon was almost untouched this past Spring into Fall. I've included all of the COVID-19 cases throughout IDOC. Since they're much higher than earlier this year, I don't see volunteers returning to IDOC for several more months. I tried to research how many deaths were related to COVID-89 within IDOC but could not find a current number. Please pray the increase would come to a halt and safe recovery for all.
One of my norms each night is to listen to a sermon/message or an audiobook on YouTube. This past Wednesday, I listen to 'Our Hope: Old Paths,' an audiobook taken from chapter 4 of the book 'Old Paths' by R. C. Ryle (eBook or PDF, paperback or Kindle). I found it to be a useful teaching on biblical hope, and with all that has transpired thus far in 2020, personally, my hope has endured some intense storms. I needed a good teaching on hope, reminding me, my hope is in Christ (2 Corinthians 4:16-18,1 Peter 1:3-5), and to rejoice, be patient, and in constant prayer (Romans 12:12). I wish I could have given all my students and other inmates reading Weekly Notes the whole PDF but being it's 330 pages, I don't think the chaplains would appreciate my sending Weekly Notes anymore. However, I found on Banner of Truth's website the article 'Seek a Good Hope' an extract from the book, and with font and margin changes, I was able to fit it on 1-page and send it to the chaplains as this week's Weekly Notes. Redeemer Fellowship did not have a posting for this week's mid-week teaching Essentials for Effective Bible Study Part 2 and is scheduled for next week.
I've not heard anything back from the chaplains about SOCPM doing Malachi Dads via WebEx. However, Lifeline Global Ministries, the ministry that develops and produces all the Malachi Dads curriculum, has made the first book 'The Heart of a Father' on video. I downloaded the 12 video lessons and sent an e-mail to the chaplains, making them aware of these options and how I could forward the videos to them. Lifeline is in the process of putting the book The Heart of a Fatherhood in a PDF format for downloading. SOCPM most likely will not partake in the actual teachings but the teachers who are long time veterans of teaching Malachi Dads. It isn't about SOCPM teaching; it's about bringing godly teachings on fatherhood to the many men who are hungry for it.
Farewell to another SOCPM student that is was bittersweet to read IDOC paroled him, Sheridan student Richard. Richard was a student only from October of 2019 until March of this year when the lockdown began, but he always had a warm greeting at the start of every class. Richard professed Christ, and his character gave me no reason to doubt his profession, but only God knows his heart.
It's another bittersweet farewell to a SOCPM student. I had James only as a student since January, but I would have much enjoyed having James longer than I did with his hunger for God's Word.
The biggest bittersweet pill to swallow this week is Aaron of Dixon. Aaron was a SOCPM student since April 2017 and still was this Spring. Aaron gave strong evidence that his profession was a true saving faith. He would ask me to recommend books for him to purchase through. Aaron was a substantial contributor to classroom discussion and offering wisdom to fellow students. He was a chaplain's clerk for some time too. I was blessed to have you as a student for three years, Aaron.
Please pray for Richard, James, and Aaron as they reintegrate back into society and pray they get connected to solid Bible teaching churches to continue their growth in Christ, cleansed from their past, and will be used by God for His work and glory (2 Timothy 2:21).
Not much to update on my son Cameron; I saw a couple of posts on Facebook that are reassuring he has his phone, and in a text message exchange with his mom, she said he is doing better. I sent him a text message saying I'm glad he is doing better, to stay healthy, remain prayer, and know he is in my prayers throughout the day and that I love him. He did reply, saying he loved me too. Thank you all for your prayers, but please continue to keep him in prayer, salvation, sobriety, health friendships, etc.
I received an e-mail from Bill, one of my fellow servants in the prison ministry; he asked for prayer for his son Billy, who has addiction issues and is living on the street, and that he has not heard from Billy in a couple of months. If you can, please keep Bill and his son Billy in your prayers too.
One more prayer item, whew, my wife Michelle, is having a medical procedure that will require laparoscopic surgery in December. Please keep her in prayers too.
We're all still enduring the many trials of 2020, but as I stated above, our hope is not in ourselves, our leaders, or worldly things; our hope is in Jesus Christ. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice Philippians 4:4 ESV.
To Him be the glory in ALL things and to Him alone!
Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries๏ปฟ