Greetings From the Mailroom

News

February has been a busy month here in the mailroom where Verba and I are working two days a week trying to keep up with stacks of incoming mail. Most of the mail has been generated by the latest issue of Loaves & Fishes, which was sent out in December and January. There are the usual new subscriptions, Bible requests, and all sorts of questions the prisoners are facing in their lives.

We get a lot of pen pal requests from men. I believe we have all the ladies pen pal requests matched up, but that can change at any time.

The last week of January, Darold and I had the opportunity to spend a week in an Alabama prison with the We Care Program. What an eye opener to the freedom I enjoy!

I was challenged in many ways, probably most of all by some of the very dedicated Christians I met there. Even in prison life and depressing situations, they are praising God, studying His word, and witnessing to their fellow inmates. One of them told me, “To me it’s a mission field—just one that I’m kinda locked into!” These men desperately need our prayer and support.

May God bless you as you represent Him!

Robert Miller

Lighthouse Mailroom

The Fields Are Ripe. It Is Harvest Time!

News

Many years ago, four months before harvest time, Jesus once told His disciples to lift up their eyes and look at the fields. He said to them, “The fields are ripe; it’s harvest time!”

In Luke 10:2 Jesus said, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (NKJV)

What are these fields Jesus is talking about? What is it that’s ripe? Who are the workers in the fields? In Jesus’ illustration, the fields are the world. The ripe grain is those who are ready to receive the good news of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is telling us that there are throngs of people whose hearts the Spirit of God has “ripened.” They are ready to enter the life of Jesus’ kingdom or eager to learn more about it. A “bumper crop” is due, but there’s a labor shortage.

Observing the busyness and self-sufficiency of society, you may wonder, “Where are these ripe fields Jesus is talking about?”

Lift up your eyes and look at the fields. The fields are ripe. It is harvest time. It’s a matter of finding the field and becoming an effective missionary for the Lord of the harvest.

“Many women commented on how comforting the poems and stories were from the booklet we received at Christmas. I personally work for the chaplain so I hear all the requests and appreciations that are passed around. Thank you, Loaves & Fishes.”
Lora Barranca • Women’s Prison in Chowchilla, CA

Open Doors in Prison

If you have trouble finding a ripened field, go to your local jail or almost any prison in the USA. You won’t have to look very long until you find a desire for friendship, a hunger for reality, and time to listen.

Our church has a weekly jail ministry in our local town. It is deeply encouraging to see such openness and hunger!

Have you ever shared Christ with someone only to see them walk off and literally (or figuratively) throw your message into a trash bin? In the free world many people are too busy or complacent to pay attention. In contrast, while many in prison also close their hearts, the demand for truth far exceeds the supply.

Tens of thousands of hungry people have asked us to speak into their lives with requests such as these:

• “I read a copy of your Loaves & Fishes magazine. May I please get my own subscription?”
• “With your help I found Jesus, and I want to learn more about Him.”
• “Send me any books and literature that you have available to help me in my walk with the Lord.”
• “Can you send me a Bible study course?”
• “I’d like to have a friend to write to.”
• “Please send me a Bible.”

Basically, they are saying, “Please speak into my life! Tell me something that can help me in my walk with God.”

Imagine the opportunities! Here is access to thousands of isolated people who will receive and appreciate what we teach them and share it with their friends! Some of these already profess to know God and seek to be disciples of Jesus Christ; others are still in darkness, searching for meaning in life. Behind many of these requests is a person who desires to get their life on the right track and become the person, leader, parent, or spouse that God wants them to be.

Let’s lift up our eyes and look at the fields. They are ripe and harvest time has come. Let’s be busy reaching out to the hungry souls in our local jails and prisons and use the massive opportunity we have to impact millions with the printed page.

For the ripened grain,

Lavern Gingerich

PS. Click here to learn how you can help us spread the good news of Jesus Christ in the prisons.

News and Prayer Requests

1. Lavern and his family shared a presentation at four churches in PA and NY on their recent trip north. We want to thank each one for their warm reception and partnership in the gospel.
2. Robert and Verba are working part time to handle incoming prisoner mail. The “fish” are really “biting.” Pray their boat wouldn’t sink!
3. Pray the Lord would give us much inspiration and wisdom to prepare another issue of Loaves & Fishes.

Progress and Special Beginnings

Loaves & Fishes , News

Dear Supporter,

The Lord has given us a wonderful year so far, filled with good progress and special beginnings.

Loaves & Fishes Update

Our hearts are thrilled to see another issue of Loaves & Fishes go into the prisons. The bulk subscriptions of Loaves & Fishes volume 8, issue 2 mailed out in December. And just last week, we were able to prepare and send the presort mailing for the single subscriptions.

The postage to mail these 80,000 copies topped $16,000. Thanks to your diligent support, we had around $5,000 left after covering the postage!

It’s been a year since we published the previous issue (volume 8, issue 1). It doesn’t feel like we are reaching our goal of four issues per year, but we trust the Lord has a plan. We desire to work with Him each step of the way.

Mailing Photo Tour

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Ministry Structure

Lighthouse Publishing is now legally a ministry of our local church, Pikeville Christian Fellowship. We believe this will benefit the ministry is some major ways. Now we can qualify for non-profit postage on all presort mailings, such as single subscriptions to Loaves & Fishes and newsletters. Also, when you give to Lighthouse, your donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Click here to give or set up a monthly sponsorship.

Speaking Engagements

We have ministry presentations scheduled in two churches:

• January 30: Spring Garden Church in Gap, PA.
• February 4: Silver Lake Mennonite Church in Perry, NY.

It’s always a blessing to go out and connect with churches in this way. If you would like for us to share with your group, call us at 423-447-3567.

Distribution Partner

We’re publishing the first issue of the “Distribution Partner,” our brand new newsletter for Loaves & Fishes distributors. This includes chaplains, churches, and individuals who get the Loaves & Fishes magazine in bulk. It will be a great way to keep our distribution team informed and share resources that are helpful to those in prison ministry.

Mailroom Update

The fish are biting. Mail from prisoners is pouring in by the handfuls, as the new issue of Loaves & Fishes circulates throughout the prisons.

We’re hiring Robert and Verba Miller to handle the mail on a regular basis. They’ll be working here a day or two a week, Lord willing, for $600/month. Their help in the past has been totally volunteer.

Feedback From Readers

“I like how today’s times are used in accordance with the Scripture. Science in Creation was very fascinating. I would like to read more. Please add me to your list of subscribers.”
Raymond Smith

“I’ve read a few religious magazines in my life, but Loaves & Fishes was an exception to many. I want to really tell you about “Putting off Anger.” This article was… really inspiring to make a difference in my life.”
Mariano Alatorre • FSP • Represa, CA

Prayer Requests

• Pray for more workers in the harvest field. There is seemingly no end to the hungry hearts in prison reaching out for truth.
• Pray for wisdom in the mailroom to correspond with prisoners.
• Pray for Anthony and me as we prepare another issue of Loaves & Fishes. Also those who will write articles. We need inspiration and direction from the Lord in this great task.
• Pray for guidance in recruiting more partners in this work. We want to wait upon God in faith, but also do our part to inform and inspire the church to rise up and work before the night comes.

May God bless you richly for your prayers and support. You are a vital part of the work.

For the Kingdom,

Lavern Gingerich

PS. Click here to give or set up a monthly sponsorship.

My Life Is a Gift

News

What have I done to advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in 2010?

You’re reading the final “Loaves & Fishes Report” for 2010. Isn’t it sobering to think that we are nearing the end of another year?

Now is a good time to ask yourself, “What have I done to advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ this year? Is there anything I have failed to do for the Lord? Am I willingly giving Him my all?”

There is still plenty to do in God’s Kingdom and the needs are as urgent as they have ever been.

Your life is a gift. You can choose what to do with it. To whom or what will you dedicate the rest of your time here on this earth?

You can give it to the drive for riches—the passion for late model vehicles, a luxurious house, and fun toys to enjoy in this short life. Worldly fame and selfish reputation are also looking for willing givers.

If you want to help advance the Kingdom of God, the best place to start is to willingly give your whole life as a gift to Him. Don’t even try to do anything for Jesus Christ unless you are willing to give your all to Him. He is more than worthy of it all.

This month when millions exchange gifts with loved ones, take some time to examine your life—your money, your time, your stuff, your reputation, your abilities, your all. Have you given yourself completely as a gift to Him?

For the Kingdom,
Lavern Gingerich

Click here to learn how you can give.

Prisoner Feedback

“The story in volume 7, issue 1, The Deceitfulness of Anger and Bitterness, saved my life. I would read and read it over and over. And I got down on my knees and cryed out to the loving Father to forgive me and take away this anger and bitterness, and he did. Thank you Jesus!!

“I don’t have your order form from the back of the book, because someone else have it. But could you please send me your 2010 and 2011 Loaves & Fishes, please? Please this book feeds my soul, just as the Bible do. It’s all I read now. Please pray that I don’t get cold feet, but keep on serving Jesus!! He’s my life now.”
Barbara Steelman•Lane Murry TDCJ-ID • Gatesville, TX

“I really enjoy Loaves & Fishes. Your publication has been a wonderful source of encouragement and strength for me. May God richly bless you for what you do.”
Scott Messer•Walton Correctional Institution • Defuniak Springs, FL

“I am presently incarcerated at Corcoran State Prison. I was given a copy of Loaves & Fishes volume 7, issue 1 from 2009 by a fellow inmate, and I’m not going to lie, my intentions were to use it to block the vent because of the cold air coming through it.

“But as I was laying there I picked it up off the shelf and began to read it and the different stories of other inmates in similar situations as well as the different articles therein and realized the person telling the story although from a different walk of life, was not different from the feelings and life I was living. I would really be grateful if you would send me a subscription to Loaves & Fishes. I do not have any funds available but if I can help in any other way, I’d be more than glad too. Thank you very much for your time and patience.”
Fernando Escobar•Corcoran State Prison • Corcoran, California

Praise and Prayer Requests

• We’ve had a number of new donors join us this year, and we are sincerely grateful for each one. Your participation is not in vain!
• Loaves & Fishes volume 8, issue 2 is in binding. We hope to finish in the next few weeks.
• We have enough to mail all the box subscriptions, but need approximately $9,000 more for postage.
• Pray for wisdom and direction to prepare another issue of Loaves & Fishes. We sincerely want to say what is on God’s heart for the prisoners.

Your gift will help us send more Loaves & Fishes to hungry prisoners.

Click here to learn how you can give.