Greetings
I hope the SOCPM Newsletter finds you doing well, and you can observe Advent with a church family in person or by live stream.
The year 2020 will be one of the most memorable years in our lifetime; COVID-19 and lockdowns, the murder of George Floyd, the rioting in many major US cities, the toppling of historic statues, and the Presidential election. 2020 saw a lot of suffering world-wide as a country and those personal ones that didn't make the news. I'll personally remember 2020 as the year my mom died. I'm sure one of the most spoken questions in 2020 is 'why does God allow suffering?' That is the topic of this week's Weekly Notes. I could have found many, and most were too long. The one I chose is appropriately titled 'Why Dow God Allow Suffering. As Christians, it should not be unexpected. Scripture tells us we are to expect to suffer because we will suffer. I could write more personally, but I told my guys in my newsletter greeting a topic that we will have to have as part of our Discipleship is suffering. When or if will ever come is in God's control.
SOCPM's partnership with Christian Pen Pal Ministry is underway. Sue, a pseudonym, has received the names of two men she will be their pen pal. They're Jesse M, who is incarcerated at Huntsville Unit in Huntsville, TX. Deonta W. is incarcerated at Georgia State Prison, located in Reidsville, GA. Sue said she is very much looking forward to beginning her writing and thankful she'll be able to write her first letter before Christmas. An early Christmas blessing for both Jesse and Deonta. Please pray for Sue to come to know where each man is in a relationship with Christ. And guidance on how to share the Good News and or disciple them in Christ. Pray for Jesse and Deonta that they will receive Sue's letters and feel a connection and be open to the words the Holy Spirit gives her. If you're interested in becoming a Christian pen pal, let me know by replying to this newsletter or visiting the SOCPM contact page.
To Him be the glory in ALL things and Him alone,
Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries
Week 38 of the lockdown 😞.
COVID-19 cases as of 12/04/20; Dixon: staff confirmed 195, staff recovered staff 176, staff current 19, staff tests 608; offender confirmed 479, offenders recovered 405, offender current 74, offenders test 1098 | Sheridan: staff confirmed 78, staff recovered 68; staff current 10, staff tests 517; offenders confirmed 85, offenders recovered 36, offenders current 49, offender tests 198 | IDOC: staff confirmed 2604, staff recovered 2149, staff current 454, staff tests 8596; offenders confirmed 4705, offenders recovered 3492, offenders current 1213, offender tests 22,448. Continue in payer for safe and full recovery for all.