Jeff is working on some blog entries, so in the meantime, I'll update you on some things that are going on with him.
I believe I have written in the past about prison life (and Jeff will give you a typical day in his life in Taft). I do not recall if I have written about the statistics of who is there with him. In general, federal prison camp differs significantly from state prisons in one significant way. In order to go to a Federal Prison, you have to violate a federal law. So, the stuff you see on tv in your local towns, shootings, etc. are state law violations. However, when you see a drug bust, that is a violation of federal law. As such, the statistics indicate that between 80 and 85 percent of peopel incarcerated in Federal Prisons are there for drug convictions. Most of these drug offenders are from gangs. At the prison camp level, you get more diversity, (the Martha Stewarts types, etc.) but the majority are still drug offenders, and still, the majority have little higher education and grew up in gangs. In fact, the only required education a person get in prison is a GED, and the bureau of prisons wants to get the gang offenders an basic education and job training to get out of what they call the "committed criminal lifestyle."
Anyway, to move along, I wrote about how the prison is a barter economy and how guys trade for everything from clothes to food to seats at the movies. Because many of these guys have a lower than high school reading level, comics are a very popular reading material. I'm not making a judgment against comics (I love them), but they generally have fewer words that books and the story is told as much through words as through the art. Moreover, they take much less time to read and anything that will pass time in the mundane life of a prisoner is welcome. Jeff did not know this until he received some comics and found that they were very popular.
This brings me to my point. Jeff has a very good friend who also is a penciler for comic books. His name is Todd Nauck. I wanted to profile Todd since Jeff has been very fortunate to know Todd (Jeff loves comics, for those of you who don't know), and Todd has been faithful in sending Jeff comics every month. Jeff reads the comics and then usually trades them for a ride in the car (when the other inmates make their own meals, they call it riding in a car - I have no idea why) of another inmate. Here is, in Todd's own words, how he met Jeff.
I met Jeff in 1996 at Mariner's Church in Irvine, California. Jeff and I shared a love of Christ, comics, and Mystery Science Theater 3000. I would come over to Jeff and Scott's apartment at least twice a week to hang out. We became really great friends over the next several years. We did our best to keep in touch once Jeff moved out of Southern California. I do my best to keep Jeff supplied with comics during this difficult time. My prayers are with him.
I mentioned in a previous post Todd's work. I'm adding a link to his website on the blog page, http://www.wildguard.com/. Jeff has been tremendously blessed by Todd over the years, and now who would have thought that comics would be a valuable commodity in prison. Some of you may know Todd, but I imagine many of you do not. Todd has worked in the comic book industry for over 13 years as an artist for DC Comics and Marvel Comics. He recently wrapped up a run of Marvel's "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" series and is currently drawing "Teen Titans Go" for DC Comics. Todd also writes and draws an original comic book called "WildGuard" about a reality TV super hero team. Todd's site features tons of original sketches and character designs from the many comic books he's worked on. I encourage you to check it out. I think Todd is extremely talented.
Jeff is blessed by so many of you and I wish I could write about all of you (maybe I can). I just wanted to write about how such a simple act of sending comics could bless Jeff in so many ways. It just shows me that God puts people and relationships in our lives for reasons we may not understand or fully appreciate until years later. I'm learning that lesson over and over again through this time with my brother.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Rejoice (#18)
I've wanted to share my thoughts about the goodness of God. This topic has been on my mind and heart for well over 2 years now. However, I don't think I can put everything I've learned into one entry. Also, I don't think I've learned all that God has for me in the area of his goodness. I don't think I will ever fully grasp it though. I will share over the next several weeks some thoughts on God's goodness.
In one of the bible studies at Taft Correctional Institution (it sounds like a place of higher learning, but it's not) we are studying Philippians. The leader of the study, who is an elder at a church where he lives (this is Doug that I wrote about in my last email - Scott), taught on Phil. 4:4. (By the way, Doug is in for misrepresenting his financial status on a government form and that's why he's serving 33 months. Jeff says that the little things matter and it's not just between you and God - Scott) The passage says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice!" The dictionary defines rejoice as "to give or feel joy." Without delving into the context of Philippians, I think we can take Paul's command and go with it. Paul is telling the Philippian church to feel join in the Lord. We can also do that. However, we can't allow our circumstances to dictate when we rejoice. The bible study leader's point was that the act of rejoicing will have an effect on you. To proactively rejoice or find joy in the Lord will help defend you against despair, depression, loneliness, and sadness. We all know that once we feel despair that it is difficult to rejoice in much of anything. Rejoicing is a preventative measure against the trials and difficulties you will face. If you aren't facing any difficulties, then you have much to rejoice about. If you find yourself lonely, sad, or in despair or depressed, it is much more difficult to rejoice; to find joy in anything much less in the Lord. I have learned in prison that I can always find something in which I can rejoice in the Lord.
Some of you may be surprised by that. Here we have very little. I own 12 pairs of socks, 10 t-shirts, 5 pairs of pants, 3 pairs of grey shorts, 1 sweatshirt, 2 towels, and 1 pair of shoes. I cannot buy cereal. All I get is corn flakes. Yet, despite not having the normal comforts of the outside, the action of rejoicing in prison is easier because I am here. I can see how God provides for me. I cannot go anywhere beyond the approved 10 acre complex. I walk our track sometimes 20-25 times a day. Yet, I am learning to see God's glory in wildflowers, sunsets, or in regular conversations. I am learning to rejoice in the Lord always. As I am learning to do so, I'm finding that I don't despair as much, that I'm not as lonely. It's not a choice. I can't just say that I'm going to rejoice or be joyful today. It's an attitude adjustment, a paradigm shift. You have to really appreciate who you are in Christ, what you have through Christ, and how Christ will be with you. I started my shift by simply being thankful for what I had. I found that I was much better of than I thought I was. It was a very small step. Each day I would find something for which I could be thankful. I would write it down for my wife. Here are a few because I think they will show you what I mean by starting small.
Ice Machine (it's very hot here, and we have one in our dorm - it's awesome)
Dr. Pepper (I love this stuff)
Cotton Mattress (most people don't have these and so I'm very fortunate. It's like camping every night)
Pop Tarts (this gets me through those bad food days)
Soccer Field (I love soccer and I get to play in prison)
Comic Books
USA Today
Rejoice in the Lord always. I think Paul had something here. I hope you can find something each day in your life that will show you God's goodness so that you can find joy in the Lord despite circumstances.
Jeff
In one of the bible studies at Taft Correctional Institution (it sounds like a place of higher learning, but it's not) we are studying Philippians. The leader of the study, who is an elder at a church where he lives (this is Doug that I wrote about in my last email - Scott), taught on Phil. 4:4. (By the way, Doug is in for misrepresenting his financial status on a government form and that's why he's serving 33 months. Jeff says that the little things matter and it's not just between you and God - Scott) The passage says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice!" The dictionary defines rejoice as "to give or feel joy." Without delving into the context of Philippians, I think we can take Paul's command and go with it. Paul is telling the Philippian church to feel join in the Lord. We can also do that. However, we can't allow our circumstances to dictate when we rejoice. The bible study leader's point was that the act of rejoicing will have an effect on you. To proactively rejoice or find joy in the Lord will help defend you against despair, depression, loneliness, and sadness. We all know that once we feel despair that it is difficult to rejoice in much of anything. Rejoicing is a preventative measure against the trials and difficulties you will face. If you aren't facing any difficulties, then you have much to rejoice about. If you find yourself lonely, sad, or in despair or depressed, it is much more difficult to rejoice; to find joy in anything much less in the Lord. I have learned in prison that I can always find something in which I can rejoice in the Lord.
Some of you may be surprised by that. Here we have very little. I own 12 pairs of socks, 10 t-shirts, 5 pairs of pants, 3 pairs of grey shorts, 1 sweatshirt, 2 towels, and 1 pair of shoes. I cannot buy cereal. All I get is corn flakes. Yet, despite not having the normal comforts of the outside, the action of rejoicing in prison is easier because I am here. I can see how God provides for me. I cannot go anywhere beyond the approved 10 acre complex. I walk our track sometimes 20-25 times a day. Yet, I am learning to see God's glory in wildflowers, sunsets, or in regular conversations. I am learning to rejoice in the Lord always. As I am learning to do so, I'm finding that I don't despair as much, that I'm not as lonely. It's not a choice. I can't just say that I'm going to rejoice or be joyful today. It's an attitude adjustment, a paradigm shift. You have to really appreciate who you are in Christ, what you have through Christ, and how Christ will be with you. I started my shift by simply being thankful for what I had. I found that I was much better of than I thought I was. It was a very small step. Each day I would find something for which I could be thankful. I would write it down for my wife. Here are a few because I think they will show you what I mean by starting small.
Ice Machine (it's very hot here, and we have one in our dorm - it's awesome)
Dr. Pepper (I love this stuff)
Cotton Mattress (most people don't have these and so I'm very fortunate. It's like camping every night)
Pop Tarts (this gets me through those bad food days)
Soccer Field (I love soccer and I get to play in prison)
Comic Books
USA Today
Rejoice in the Lord always. I think Paul had something here. I hope you can find something each day in your life that will show you God's goodness so that you can find joy in the Lord despite circumstances.
Jeff
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Some new info (#17)
I haven't had a chance to update Jeff's blog. I only have one pending blog, but I thought I would provide some information that I have gathered from some of Jeff's letters I have received over the past couple of weeks.
As you may have read about previously in this blog, when Jeff initially entered the camp, one of his main concerns and prayers was that he would find a person with whom he could pray, trust, and just share his fears, concerns, joys, etc. that those of us on the "outside" take for granted. I do not recall if Jeff wrote about how inmates generally are very private people. There are a few reasons for this. First, they are surrounded by convicted criminals. Some are in for failing to pay child support (like Jeff's current prayer partner Tim), while the vast majority are in there for drug related offenses. Nevertheless, the culture is one of trickery and manipulation of other inmates. Second, the inmates are dynamic in that they all have varying sentences and could be moved to another institution at any time. They are property of the bureau of prisons, and they must adjust to being chattel of the government. Again, you may recall me writing about Michael Santos. He was moved to Taft because they thought he was "conducting a business" from prison, which is prohibited. Third is just the fact that these are all men, who don't open up and share their feelings very easily.
Anyway, my point in all this is that God provided Jeff a prayer partner very early on in his sentence in Tim. Tim, as I mentioned, was sentenced to Taft for failing to pay child support. However, Tim leaves Taft in Jan. '08. Obviously a few months away yet, but Jeff was going to lose his prayer partner. Recently, however, a strange development occurred up on Oregon at a Federal Prison Camp. The guards were bringing in contraband to the camp prisoners at the Sheridan camp. So, in order to prevent this, locals were assigned or moved to different camps. A guy named Doug who lives in Oregon was sent to Taft (I do not know the nature of the offense - but Jeff told me that he turned himself into the FBI over the situation). It turns out that Doug was an elder in his church in Newberg, Oregon (which is about 30 minutes from where I live in Portland), has a similar education and background as Jeff, and is also interested in finding a prayer partner. Jeff and Doug have been walking around the rec yard and Jeff has said that he enjoys Doug's company very much. One thing that Jeff can cling to with Doug is that he was sentenced to 33 months. So, Doug's release date will fall shortly after Jeff's, which will provide Jeff with the consistency in a prayer partner that he wanted, not to mention a guy that he can confide in and share with. Jeff and Tim will still pray together, but they will add Doug as well.
There is more to this story about Jeff's church if you read the previous blog, and I believe that is the subject of Jeff's blog that I will update shortly.
Oh, Jeff's son, Connor, has his birthday on Sept. 13. So, keep Jeff in your prayers as this is the first of a few birthdays that he will miss of his kids.
Scott
As you may have read about previously in this blog, when Jeff initially entered the camp, one of his main concerns and prayers was that he would find a person with whom he could pray, trust, and just share his fears, concerns, joys, etc. that those of us on the "outside" take for granted. I do not recall if Jeff wrote about how inmates generally are very private people. There are a few reasons for this. First, they are surrounded by convicted criminals. Some are in for failing to pay child support (like Jeff's current prayer partner Tim), while the vast majority are in there for drug related offenses. Nevertheless, the culture is one of trickery and manipulation of other inmates. Second, the inmates are dynamic in that they all have varying sentences and could be moved to another institution at any time. They are property of the bureau of prisons, and they must adjust to being chattel of the government. Again, you may recall me writing about Michael Santos. He was moved to Taft because they thought he was "conducting a business" from prison, which is prohibited. Third is just the fact that these are all men, who don't open up and share their feelings very easily.
Anyway, my point in all this is that God provided Jeff a prayer partner very early on in his sentence in Tim. Tim, as I mentioned, was sentenced to Taft for failing to pay child support. However, Tim leaves Taft in Jan. '08. Obviously a few months away yet, but Jeff was going to lose his prayer partner. Recently, however, a strange development occurred up on Oregon at a Federal Prison Camp. The guards were bringing in contraband to the camp prisoners at the Sheridan camp. So, in order to prevent this, locals were assigned or moved to different camps. A guy named Doug who lives in Oregon was sent to Taft (I do not know the nature of the offense - but Jeff told me that he turned himself into the FBI over the situation). It turns out that Doug was an elder in his church in Newberg, Oregon (which is about 30 minutes from where I live in Portland), has a similar education and background as Jeff, and is also interested in finding a prayer partner. Jeff and Doug have been walking around the rec yard and Jeff has said that he enjoys Doug's company very much. One thing that Jeff can cling to with Doug is that he was sentenced to 33 months. So, Doug's release date will fall shortly after Jeff's, which will provide Jeff with the consistency in a prayer partner that he wanted, not to mention a guy that he can confide in and share with. Jeff and Tim will still pray together, but they will add Doug as well.
There is more to this story about Jeff's church if you read the previous blog, and I believe that is the subject of Jeff's blog that I will update shortly.
Oh, Jeff's son, Connor, has his birthday on Sept. 13. So, keep Jeff in your prayers as this is the first of a few birthdays that he will miss of his kids.
Scott
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