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Christmas 2006
An Inmate Testimony (by Kristi)
My name is Kristi. I’m 29 years old and I’ve been a meth addict as long as I can remember. I’m from ND and I moved to Fargo when I was 16.
I had been experimenting with hard drugs at age 14 and I think I was addicted from the start. I’ve been through 13 different treatment programs. My first inpatient I was 16. It was an unsuccessful attempt at sobriety.
As the years passed my heart grew harder. My addiction was out of control. I was dealing drugs, shoplifting and my brain was always scheming of ways to make a buck. I couldn’t manage my own life and the next thing I knew I was a mother of 2. My life was spiraling down. I lost my kids due to my addictions. I didn’t have any hope. I didn’t believe I could live any other way.
I found myself in a jail cell last March 10th and nobody to bail me out this time. My family had had it with me. Turns out, that is what saved my life.
I was at my lowest bottom ever! Lower then I ever thought possible. It was then I encountered my Savior Jesus Christ. I started reading the Bible, because I wanted to. I was so hungry for the truth!
I thank God for the chaplains at the Cass County Jail. I thank God for Teen Challenge, and most of all I thank God for dying on the cross! Thank you Jesus!
Note: Kristi has been touched by the Power of the Gospel. Chaplains Sandy and Lynn have brought hope and life. Kristi is doing well and is Teen Challenge in North Dakota.
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Change is coming
I was nervous about meeting the newly elected Sheriff of Cass County. Over 20 years of serving Sheriff Don Rudnick and the jail is a long time without change.
January 2, 2007 Paul Laney will begin his first term as sheriff. I didn’t need to be nervous. Paul believes in the need for individuals in jail to have a faith experience. He told Russ Tweiten and I that the chaplains have his support to continue to minister as we have in the past.
The year 2007 is just around the corner. A new pod will open which will increase the inmate population to nearly 300. With our supporters help Cass County Jail will have a full time chaplain. The new Sheriff, Programs Director Lori Lawson, and Chief Administrator Glen Ellingsberg have all agreed to the idea.
I believe we can do this together!
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Curt & Kathy
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Fall 2006
A letter sent by a former Cass County inmate
Dear Chaplains,
Today I am heading to St. Cloud where I will be finishing my sentence. I want you chaplains to know that what you are doing here in Cass County is helping change lives. The way God works through you guys is wonderful. I thank you.
When I came here in January I was a different person. I was so mixed up and all around lost. I was here 3 days before I cried out for Jesus to help me and comfort me. Twenty minutes of tearful prayer and I felt an instant relief. I was set at ease and could feel His Presence. He never did leave my side. A few weeks later I gave my life to God. Things haven't been the same since.
It has been 10 months now and my feelings of being lost have been replaced with an inner peace. A feeling of wholeness. I warn others to look out. When you ask Jesus to come into your life, He does. Be prepared to be set free. Just like Jabez and his prayer. If you ask God to bless you, He will.
I am on fire for God. I've grown a burning desire to learn Scripture and get to know God Better. The Bible and its contents amaze me. I was intimidated by it just a few months ago and have come so far in recent months.
Expect to hear more from me as I will be in prison for 28 more months. For now I say bless you prison for it is here that I learned to see justice in the way that Amos, Micah, Jeremiah, and Isaiah saw it. I will write again soon.
Former Cass County Inmate
(Prison Chaplains inform us that many inmates begin their journey with the Lord in the Cass County Jail, at the point when they are so broken)
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Hymnals & Potluck (BY curt Frankhauser)
I have been a Lutheran pastor for three months already. No, I'm not the Sr. Pastor. I am only pastoring four days a week. But, what a wonderful experience it has been. Kathy is also a very happy and content Lutheran Pastor's wife!
My problem is I don't know what hat to wear in the mornings. 2 1/2 days in Ulen, MN, 1 1/2 in Glyndon and two at Cass County Jail.
A change in chaplains has been hard but some change is not our choice. Ron Weiss will be working with the work release inmates at First Assembly and Harvey Seidel is taking Ron's place in Main Housing and on call.
Thank you for continuing the monthly support and timely gifts. Our board will be sharing some exciting news soon.
Pastor Curt
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Board Notes:
We remain amazed at what God has done, is doing and will do as we seek His will for our ministry. Our thanks to Him for entrusting us with such wonderful partners in this ministry. Please know, we consider you a valuable investor in this ministry.
So far, we have met all our initial goals and objectives year to date. Without your gracious prayers and support we would not be where we are today….and where He will lead us the remainder of 2006 and into 2007.
Thank you for your trust!
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Called Home
Francis Writes, “The money enclosed is from Memorials received in memory of my daughter DiAnn Schwarting Thompson who passed away June 6, 2006. It is my wished to share the Memorials with the “Jail Ministry”. You are doing a wonderful work!”
Bless you,
Francies “Dolly” Monson.
“The Rest of the Story”
For several months the chaplains have been ministering to Francis Monson’s Grandson in Cass County Jail.
One morning Pastor Curt was at the jail and news of DiAnn’s death came. The administration arranged for a private room where Pastor Curt broke the news to the inmate of his mother’s death. Later, Francis came and Curt met with the inmate and his grandmother to pray with the three of them.
When an inmate receives news of the death of an immediate family member, the loss is so much harder because of being in jail. What a privilege to bring hope to such a painful situation.
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Summer 2006
A life changed (by Sean Heath)
I grew up on the rough streets of Brooklyn NY, the oldest of five children. My mother did her best to keep us out of trouble, made us read our bibles and go to church at least 3 times a week. I was obedient to my mother, inwardly I resisted her strict beliefs. At age fifteen I started to sneak out and experiment with drugs and sex and ditched church. The time I was eighteen I was drinking and partying on a regular basis. At 22 I began to wonder, "Is this all there is? I felt like something was missing, so I married my girlfriend and though I felt better, my marriage and life style still lacked a key ingredient. I did not realize what was missing.
My first marriage lasted 3 years. I married again 5 yrs later to a childhood friend. Still lacking that key ingredient my second marriage lasted a bit longer than the first we had 3 beautiful children. I wanted to raise my children the way my mom raised me. For the first time in many years I started to think about going to church.
Unfortunately, all I did was think about it. My past lifestyle still had a hold on me and I could not shake it off. This led to my incarceration at Cass County Jail; 15 years for a crime that I did not commit. Had I not been living the way I was, I would not have been put in jail.
In my jail cell I finally realized what the key ingredient was that was missing in my life.....JESUS!
Thanks to some of the great programs at the Cass County Jail, I was able to attend 3 bible studies every week and during one of these I accepted Jesus and started my personal walk with Him. That was in Nov. of 2005.
Even though I was in jail, I was free on the inside. Despite being in jail, He could deliver me from sin and my sinful lifestyle.
Charges were dropped and I was released in May of 2006. I now attend First Assembly in Fargo, attend bible studies, have a better job than before and see my 3 children regularly. Life has its' ups and downs and now I know that my God will always be there for me.
Sean Heath, Fargo
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Indebtedness (BY Curt Frankhauser)
When this ministry started In January I never dreamt how much I would be indebted to people. I am indebted to the new board members, the jail administration, Valley Printing, our six chaplains, and especially….to the supporters and investors in this ministry. I would like to personally thank those who have believed in us enough to invest their hard earned money.
A common question I have been asked lately is
Curt what is your schedule? Here’s a quick answer.
Two days a week I serve as the Executive Director of POJCA and four days a week I serve at Maranatha Free Lutheran Church in Glyndon where I serve as pastor of Congregational Outreach in Ulen and Glyndon, MN.
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Board Notes:
We are excited to be up and running-working in the jail and helping people like Sean find the hope and a way to reignite their lives. Our organization received notice from the IRS in late May that our non-profit status as a 501C 3 organization was approved. This makes it official! The great news is we received our official notice of non-profit status in record time. The attorney who assisted with our application stated she had “never seen one approved so quickly”. Is God at work here?
A very big thank you to all of you who were able to attend our social in early May. Our fundraising efforts continue to be on track as we start to build this ministry with your help and your support. The support we have seen is beyond expectations and we are encouraged and energized. We are off to an awesome start. Look for more details on our progress.
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New beginnings; An update from the women’s pod (by Sandy & Lynn)
We are thrilled at the way God's Word has touched the women's lives in the Charley Unit. We thank Him for their soft hearts and enthusiasm to learn more about Jesus Christ.
In the past few months several have come to accept the Lord as their Savior. By teaching and ministering to them, our faith and knowledge has grown by the questions they are asking in church and in bible studies. Our challenge is to put it in bite-size chunks for them to digest they won't feel overwhelmed. We remind them that understanding scripture can only be done with the help of the Holy Spirit. The variety of programs being offered gives them the opportunity to hear truths in different and the love of Christ “with skin on” from us and the volunteers.
We look forward to seeing God's plan unfold in our ministry. God bless you,
Sandy & Lynn
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