These letters reflect only a few of the hundreds of letters we receive from prisoners throughout the year.

Dr. Mr. Watson: I read your book about a month ago and would like to thank you for writing and sharing your testimony. It has help turn my life around and back to God. I had an empty felling in me that is now filled in part by you. I was born twenty-three years ago in a small farming community in North Dakota. To my family going to mass at St. John's Catholic Church on Sunday morning became as natural and absent minded as breathing. Shortly after I started Junior High I began doing my own thing. Because I knew what I was doing and nobody was going to tell me otherwise. Also because of my attitude my parents and I didn't get along. So after High School, when I was eighteen, I jointed the Army. At that time I cast God aside and started studying Wicca. While in the Army I've been able to see a lot of places, but one I did not desire to see was the inside of Bell County Jail in Belton, TX. I am now currently stationed at Ft. Hood. About seven months ago I was put on pain killers and other prescription drugs for various medical conditions. The combination of the medication and stress triggered something in my brain, I began to sleepwalk and steal. One night in mid August I was caught, I've been in jail ever since. Though its been a short stay, I have thought at times I would go insane, I can't imagine what its been like for you. Since I've never been in trouble with the law before, I was given ten years probation. I get out of jail in eight days. At which time I have a little over eight months left in the Army, during which time I will be going to psychological evaluation and counseling. About two and a half months ago someone gave me one of the many free Christian books offered to us in here, so I read it. Soon I couldn't get enough of the wonderful testimonies. The more I read the more I wanted to learn. Then I received your book. The similarities in our lives, how ever small they are, made me realize that I, a man that once cast God aside, could still be saved, that I can still turn my life around. I still have a lot of learning and growing to do, but now I'm on the right path. I attribute a lot of the growth I've had to date due to your testimony, it broke the shell I was living in and I thank you. A friend in Christ: Jason, Ft. Hood, TX.

January 24, 1999. Jesus lives and loves me!! He forgives me, and today I have accepted Christ into my heart. Thank you and all your staff for your works. - Dale

Ten years ago I entered prison a drug addict, a gangster, suicidal, and having withdrawals...after sentencing and drying out, one of your Directory of Resources for Prisoners was given to me, marked up and well used. I wrote you and used your directory for many years. I did Forgotten Man and Emmaus Bible studies and received two scholarships from Bible colleges. I graduated with Bachelors, Masters and D.B.S. Degree because of your outreach. I'm now an inmate advisor working in the community here in Mountain City and three years from release. - Jim, TN

WOW! My roommate here at C.C.W.F. just handed me some of the pamphlets that you sent her to read. "The Miracle of Forgiveness" and "The Cost of Forgiveness" really hit home. I'm having a very hard time finding a way to forgive my ex-husband for sexually molesting my daughter (his stepdaughter) for many years. To make a very long story short, I have forgiven other people in my life who I believed wronged me and my kids, but I can't do the same for this man. Please send me any other brochures, or reading materials especially on forgiveness, because I truly want to be able to forgive and it troubles me a lot. It seems very strange to be writing to you Charles of all people as I "came of age" during the 60's and never thought I'd be in this position. It's really crazy, but the Lord works in mysterious ways so they say. This just might be one of them. I hope and pray that it is, thank you. - Kathy S., CA

Thank you again for your book. It is so awesome. Knowing what God can do with the vessel He chooses. I'm 55, and I remember that time well, in fact it took place not far from where I lived at the time. Since I have been in prison, I have met men who have done time with Charles, including my cellie now. They all say that he is a man of God. I have known about his walk with the Lord for years, and he came to mind when I started backsliding 5 years ago. After my incarceration, I knew God would do a great work in my life, using my imprisonment in His plan, and knowing what He had done with "Tex" and many others. God bless "Tex." I feel as though I know him because we're both in Christ. Many souls have been won to Jesus because of him. Daniel S., CA

I love you and was blessed to receive your tracts and book. It is amazing what God has done in your life. I am a devout and sincere Christian who loves Jesus. I was a professional singer, song writer, and musician before I got locked up. I need your prayers because I've lost my wife and grandma to cancer since being in prison. I have battled depression for most of my life, and I attempted suicide as a teen and adult. I have been hospitalized with this horrible depression before I came to prison. How does Charles stay so positive in the prison environment? I get stressed out and worried about my future. I would appreciate any books on sobriety and sexual addiction. -Michael P., TX

Brother Watson, I just watched the video tape that a jail ministry group brought into the facility where I'm being held due to me letting the demon of drugs control my life. I can relate to what you were referring to when you stated how drugs had you in a daze and under control. I was starting high school when your misfortune took place. I remember thinking "oh my God, how could this happen," but after experiencing and participating in the lost world of drugs, all I can say is "but for the grace of God goes I." - Samuel S., CO

I was reading your tract "Choose Life or Death," and it helped confirm what God has been showing me lately, during a very hard spiritual battle. - Tom C., TN

I'm the chaplain at Hamilton Correctional Institution. I'd like to thank you for the recent brochures that we received from you. We thank you for your obedience to the urging of the Holy Spirit and giving sacrificially to the men. We are grateful that he has chosen you as a vessel to deliver those need to this ministry. Without your willingness to supply, we would have little to work with. May God bless you tremendously. - Chaplain Stephen H., FL

I must say your prisoner's resource manual is the best thing to hit prison I've seen yet. Keep up the good work! Your ministry has a powerhouse of goods for us in prison. Searching your pamphlets you sent along with the guides I requested have given me the inspiration and motivation to share my testimony and experiences with you. - Inmate, FL

Thank you so much for the pamphlets that you sent to me. They were a pleasant surprise. I am reading them now. You all certainly have a beautiful family as I see in the picture. God has blessed you both. As I said in my first letter which Chaplain Ray forwarded to you, your book Will You Die For Me? touched my heart and helped me immensely. I was just thinking how incredible that was that even from thousands of miles away and almost thirty years later, how much and how positively you affected me. - Kent G., OH

Thank you for the package, including the book and brochures. I read the book last night, and as soon as I finish the brochures, I will pass them on to other prisoners. In prison, I decided to give my life to Christ, and he showed me how much he loved me. I'd appreciate it if you would send me more materials and a Bible. Oh yeah, thanks for the Directory of Resources for Prisoners. - Phillip C., Trinidad, West Indies

I am the Chaplain of a Maximum Security Provincial prison here in British Columbia, Canada. I'm writing to tell you that our prisoners have just finished watching your testimony video in our prison chapel and that a lot of lives were touched by your story for the Lord. Thank you for allowing the producers at Biola to present your story so that others can hear and see what God has done in your life. Our men were particularly touched by the fact that God can change a life in a dramatic way and use a person even while they are still in prison. I think sometimes that our men find it hard to believe that God could ever use their lives, let alone while they are still doing time. You have challenged them in a significant way and I am thanking you for your obedience to Him. - Chaplain Ray P., Kamloops, BC

Greetings from Ironwood State Prison in Blythe, California. My name is Father Ron Rusk and I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for your recent generous donation. It is always a 100% "PLUS" for this prison, when ministries such as yours "Bless Us."

Thank you for all the materials. All the books and tracts you have sent to me and other inmates give me more faith and has helped many people to change from their sins to God. Good things are coming from you and your ministry. With my heart full of love, I want you to know that I will be praying for you. - Clyde L.

I'm an inmate at Western Youth Institution in N.C. I'm sure you've heard the news of Chaplain Ray's death. What a shock to me! I pray the Lord will bless his wife Leola to continue the ministry. I'm writing to you as a friend. I accepted Christ in prison, and He has helped me very much. It's great how the Lord can make light out of dark. It took me coming to prison to see God's forgiving light. I hope you can offer me some friendly spiritual advice on how to stay clear of trouble in prison and with my walk with God. I read your book Will You Die For Me? I was tremendously blessed by your testimony. It's remarkable how God helped you out. - Brian A., N.C.

I pray this letter finds you well. I have plenty to be thankful for this year. This is the first full year anniversary for me in Christ, and because of ministries such as yours, I have grown a lot in my faith and have so much in life today to show for all the efforts from people like yourselves. I want to also thank you for the new list of resources you recently sent me. I am going to be released to the 2020 Work Release Center in late January. I will send you my new address. I have been praying for a good job upon release. Please keep me in your prayers. - Ed, Iowa

My name is Eric. I am serving a 20/10 year sentence, and after years of no religion and no faith, a fellow inmate opened my eyes to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to request your Inmate Package, and a copy of your Resource Directory. It is through organizations like ALMS that we are given the hope and the will to look to Jesus, as very little spiritual guidance is given here. Thank you for the wonderful work you do. - Eric, NJ

As the celebration of the Day of Atonement passes and the holidays approach, my prayers go out to you and your family. Your ministry has been such a blessing to me as a resource for Christian friends and materials. If you can, please send me a few of your updated "Directory of Resources for Prisoners." God's blessings upon you. - JRS, TN

My name is Nathan. I am 17, and just finished reading a couple of your books that made me do a lot of thinking about my life. They gave me the motivation to want to change. You and me are a lot alike. We both grew up in small towns, both have records in sports, and all we wanted in life was to have fun, finding out where we belong. And that scared me when I was reading your book. I don't want my life to end in prison. If I keep going the way I'm going, that's where I'll be. I'm not even 18 yet and already in the County Jail. I didn't kill anyone. I just had too many past juvenile charges. I spent most my life doing drugs, hanging around gangs, and stealing cars. I was to the point where I would have killed anyone for my gang friends, and almost did. Something always stopped me before I pulled the trigger. It scares me to think I would have taken an innocent life, or any life. I just want to stop it, before it happens. I believe in God, and I pray every now and then. It's just that I don't know whether to jump right into it, or to just go with the flow of God. I was hoping you could write back and tell me. I think the judge is going to send me to boot camp or prison. Please pray for me, and ask God to give me another chance. - Nathan T., KS

What a wonderful joy it is to know what God can do. You are such a blessing for anyone who needs to know about Jesus. I remember when we met once, and I saw what a miracle He had done in your life. Nothing else matters. I am so happy to know that you and your family are doing well. I have been receiving a magazine, "Israel My Glory," and I am excited to know what God is doing with the walls that will no longer hold back the Jews from becoming free from any repeated horror. I pray that God would use them in a mighty way. A lot of miracles are taking place in Israel. Jesus surely is on His way back to get us. I just ask my Lord to not let me be found in prison when He returns. I want to be with my family. -George, OH

After receiving your tracts and book, I was so happy in the Spirit. God can do anything! What a joy it is to see what my God has done for millions of men and women. God is so caring. I know God has changed you because He is a great and powerful loving and peaceful God. I am so happy for you and your ministry. May God continue working in your life and blessing you even more each day. - Daniel, NM

I'm in a mental hospital now, but I go to prison soon for getting ripped off big time. I have an open murder case. I want to ask you some stuff about what it's like behind prison walls. Now, I'm in the hole (solitary) for 30 days. Tell me what to keep away from, and about the games they play in prison? I heard they all know your crime when you first get there. Is that true? I am worried about all this, because I'm not down with gangs and clubs. I just want an out date one day. I want to work and help my prison chaplain with the ministry. I'd like to write a book and help kids, like you. I think your growth in God is very deep, and what a pretty family you have. I hope the Lord will bless me like that someday. I prayed I would get a hold of you. God led me to you and Chaplain Ray. Please let me hear from you. - Guy, MI