Greetings,

Week 7 of the lockdown saw 2 more current students parole out early.

Gerald was a student since October 2018. He was involved in both the Malachi Dad’s and Discipleship classes. Gerald was an active contributor to classroom discussion and exhibited good knowledge of God’s Word. He also was given the name of several churches in the Joliet area, which makes the COVID-19 situation rear it’s ugliness once again, preventing Gerald from the opportunity to visit the churches. He was given the numbers so hopefully, he will contact and see if there is a virtual service and hopefully he will find a means to connect online.

Jorge was a student from January through August 2019 and returned this past January. He was one of the quietest students I’ve ever had, but on occasion would quietly come up to me and tell me how much he was enjoying the classes.

I was disappointed I was unable to give either Gerald or Jorge their certificates since both would have attended the attendance requirements if they completed the current courses. To avoid further students missing out on getting a certificate due to paroling early, I made special arrangements with both chaplains to deliver certificates to their respective facilities. So, Wednesday I delivered 21 certificates to Dixon and Friday I delivered a whopping 142 to Sheridan. The 142 certificates at Sheridan represented the largest number of certificates for any one term. Dropouts were very low in all four Sheridan classes. Which only makes the lockdown more frustrating.

However, relying on and trusting in God’s sovereignty gives me some peace. Knowing He wasn’t disappointed.

I’ve written and sent another encouragement letter to both chaplains. It was condensed teaching of this week’s Redeemer Fellowship Wednesday night service ‘What Our Prayers Lack.’ I’m no doubt biased but it was one of the better teachings on prayer that I can recall. My condensed notes to SOCPM students in the encouragement letter did not go in-depth as much as I would have liked. Out of repeat for the chaplains, I limit the letters to one-page, so they are not opening a lot of time printing.

I’m once again thankful for both Chaplain Thomas and Chaplain McClimans who have been very willing to serve Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries despite my not coming in serving in a normal capacity.

Not sure what the upcoming week will bring. Praying as I’m sure many of you are that God would curse COVID-19 and make it a ting of the past sooner than later.

As I’m grateful for the blessings the chaplains have been to SOCPM, you too are a blessing in your coined prayer support.

To Him be the glory in ALL things!

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries