SOCPM Newsletter | October 29, 2022

Greetings,

SOCPM Inside the Prison Gate: Thankful for the new term despite some stumbles

SOCPM Outside the Prison Gate: Seeking donations beyond my church family and blessed by Ligonier Ministries

On the Home Front: A birthday celebration and a little guy named Timmy bring happiness to my Bride.

On the Prayer Front:  All things family, SOCPM, and more

These are the topics for this week's SOCPM Newsletter. I hope you enjoy it, despite my lack of an editor. Michelle would like to edit my newsletters (I think she has a deep-seated desire to be an English teacher with a red pencil in hand), but her work voids the time.

To Him be the glory in ALL things and Him alone,

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

SOCPM Inside the Prison Gate

The new term at Sheridan has begun! Thirty-eight students attended between the two Christian Living's Malachi Dads. It is always a joyous moment to welcome returning students, of which there were thirty students. And it is exciting to welcome first-time students. One key data I will note with a new student is his projected MSR (Mandatory Supervised Released) date. It is Illinois's term for parole. I selfishly am satisfied when I see his MSR date is still a couple of years off and hope he will be a SOCPM student, thus building a healthy relationship.

The first week was orientation primarily for the new students, but even returning students will have had some questions. One often asked question is when will the class end? Though it may come across as a negative attitude, they often hope the course won't end before their MSR date. Orientation included the distribution of The Heart of a Man Part 1, which will focus on transforming one's heart from a wounded heart in a fallen heart to a heart of hope and trust in Jesus Christ.

My enthusiasm was dulled some in the Discipleship class. Only 15 were in attendance. Though I'm thankful for the 15, my heart yearns for the pre-COVID Discipleship classes where there were two instead of only one class, and between both classes, 50 plus was the average number of students each week. I hope God will revive word of mouth back in the cell houses; Discipleship is the class to take.

The second week at Sheridan was canceled because of my experience with some symptoms I had back in December 2021. Though not as severe, I chose to play it safe and go to the ER. I did not want to be at Sheridan, and the symptoms worsened, and then have to endure a trip to Valley View Hospital in Sandwich via an ambulance, followed by all the fallout of that happening. Michelle at home, and our Subaru at Sheridan. Praise God the symptoms lessened, and hospitalization wasn't necessary. However, it opened the door for my lovely Bride to rightfully lecture me on the importance of doing my vestibular therapy exercises.

A final note on Sheridan: I'll focus on Dixon in the next SOCPM newsletter; even with my being at Sheridan this week, there were still hurdles in ramping up to full stride. Upon my arrival at the main gate, the Sergeant gave me the news that Sheridan was shipping 43 inmates to Stateville, and until that was complete, there was no movement. The no movement resulted in the cancellation of the first Malachi Dads' class. The no movement was lifted at 10 AM, the start time for the second Malachi Dad class, but the Lieutenant in each unit has at his discretion to keep no movement in effect. Thus I had only eight students in attendance.

As UGH, no movements, lockdowns, and personal cancellations can be, I still rejoice in being a servant for our sovereign God. To Him be the glory in all circumstances.

SOCPM Outside the Prison Gate

My fundraising presentation with my church's community groups is still on hold as the remaining groups are undergoing changes. Therefore, it would not be the most favorable moment to do a presentation. Until things settle in the CGs, I've reached out to my friend Tom, the Pastor of Cross of Christ, a church plant of Redeemer Fellowship. He has warmly agreed to my request to do fundraising for his church family. We plan to get together soon to work out the logistics.

I also reached out to another Pastor friend but am still awaiting his reply. I have at least two other churches I plan to contact.

With some new donations coming in, I have a better idea of where the monthly goal stands and am nearing completion of SOCPM's 2023 budget.

Once again, through their Chaplain Outreach program, Ligonier Ministries has given SOCPM a $500 credit. As a result, there are several books I plan to acquire for the SOCPM library for my study. It would take me no time to have a list of books totaling $500 for my Bible study and education on various topics. However, I want to initiate an opportunity for SOCPM students to benefit directly. Therefore, I plan to write up a list of Ligonier's Crucial Questions booklets and invite SOCPM students to select three, if possibly more, booklets they would like. I've also found a new teaching series, 'Imprisoned,' to add to the SOCPM Discipleship Curriculum library. I've already tentatively have the Discipleship curriculum planned through September 2023, but I figure it be best to acquire it while the price is right.

On the Home Front

October 20th was my bother Dwight's 71st birthday; as tradition, on a Saturday shortly before or after his birthday, he takes a train from Chicago to our part of the world. As far as the train goes, that is now Geneva, where I pick him up, and after the usual catching up at our home with what's happening, we take him for a birthday dinner. He enjoys a New York strip steak, so where to go wasn't much of a problem. Michelle and I've eaten at the Windmille Grille and Pizzeria a few times, including on her birthday.

After the birthday dinner with dessert, we came home to watch his movie, Being There, with Peter Sellers. It's been years since I saw it, probably when it was released in 1976. Michelle could never recall seeing it. So, though not the most thrilling of Birthdays, it was a time of entertainment and visiting. Despite knowing he is always welcome to join us for church, Dwight caught an early train back to Chicago. 

He professes to be an atheist and has strong objections to most; I say most because he has never been rude to us towards us as Christians and will join us in blessing our meal. In fact, after Saturday's blessing, I heard him say, Amen. No heart is too hard for God to penetrate. Please pray God is indeed at work in Dwight's heart.

One of Michelle's biggest desires is to have a dog. But, when we lived in the condo, I was a curmudgeon about having a dog. I knew with Michelle's RA knees; I'd have to take it out for walks and the other stuff. But I promised when we moved, I reconsider.

When we moved, I surrendered my opposition to having a dog. But unfortunately, as the CFO, Michelle realized our new budget did not allow her to own a dog, to her great disappointment.

A couple of weeks ago, in the row of triplexes behind us, a little dog was yelping to be let back into the house. We knew the owners were not the type of individuals to ignore the little guy. So, after knocking on the door and with the help of another neighbor, we contacted them at the restaurant they own. Oops, in their rush to get to the restaurant, they forgot to let Timmy back in the house before they left.

Michelle to the rescue. She told the owner's if it was okay with them, Timmy could stay with us until one of them got home. The owners were grateful and shared how they felt terrible having to leave Timmy home alone while they had to run the restaurant.

Michelle comes to the rescue. She'd love to take care of Timmy while they were at work. So, about 2 - 3 evenings a week, Michelle becomes Aunt Michelle, and I become Uncle Scott. 🙄

Truth be told, I like the little guy primarily because his presence brings happiness to Michelle's heart. Even though I can be a curmudgeon, God can also soften a curmudgeon's heart.

One of my desires is once God blesses SOCPM to reach the monthly donation support goal, our budget will allow Michelle to be a mommy to her own dog. Also, meaning, some lucky dog out there will have me as her daddy 🥹

On the Prayer Front

Cameron - A lot is going on with Cameron. His boyfriend broke up with him, and as expected, Cameron could not deal with it healthy way. So the current situation is Cameron is in jail. I've contacted the jail; he is facing six charges. But sadly, no chaplain is on staff. I'm in the process of establishing a connection with him through inmateconnect.com. If I establish a connection, I'm uncertain where to lay the boundaries. Besides his salvation, I'm at a loss on what to lift in prayer and am turning to Romans 8:26-27. Would you please pray as the Holy Spirit leads you?

Michelle (aka my lovely bride) - Praise, the new cortisone injection for the RA in her knees is still effective. In her last visit to her RA doctor, who is out of network and resulted in the injections costing $800, he said he is okay with her finding a RA doctor in her network to administer the injections. At the same time, he remains her primary RA doctor. Would you please pray she finds an RA doctor in her insurance network who agrees to administer the injections while not being her primary RA doctor?

Self - Would you pray that I have wisdom in my role as a father to Cameron and his current situation? God continues to bless SOCPM's fundraising efforts for His glory. Would you continue to pray for my discipline in exercising on the treadmill and additionally doing vestibular therapy exercises? Would you pray for wisdom in my stewardship of SOCPM, that I consistently bring the Gospel to all my classes, and that my obedience bears fruit for His glory?

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