A Blessing from Georgia

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director at CLI

While most CLI volunteers come here to our office in Raleigh, some do not. In fact, some we have never met. For example, there is Dulce and Stephanie.
Here at CLI, we have written a correspondence Bible study for prison inmates. Hundreds of inmates are enrolled. It's a year-long Bible study and many inmates have told us how much it has blessed them!
But some inmates are Hispanic with limited English. After numerous requests for a Spanish version, we began looking for a translator. A chaplain in Georgia recommended Dulce, who is on staff at one of the prisons.
After several emails, Dulce agreed to begin the translations. She also mentioned that she did the Bible studies while translating them, and that they were a blessing to her too!
We praise God for Dulce and her daughter Stephanie. They have been faithful servants for Jesus Christ.
Over the next few years, thousands will be blessed by their work!

Bible Study in Prison

Posted by Martha Carpenter - Office Administrator at CLI

There are many Christian men and women in prison who want to share the gospel and bring the joy and freedom of Christ to those around them. CLI has a Leadership Bible Study correspondence course to help them learn how to lead people to Christ. Over 140 inmates are participating right now. A typical response to why they want to participate in the CLI Bible study may be something like:

“I would like to learn how to be a leader for Christ.”
“The more I learn about Jesus the more I fall in love with him. And the more I can tell others about him!!!”
“I would like to be part of a ministry, to bring souls to Christ.”

Having a Bible study in prison is different from here on the “outside”. They tell us about sharing the gospel sitting on their bunks, in small groups, or out in the yard. Christians in prison are considered passive and subject to ridicule; or persecuted as “Jesus Freaks”, and are sometimes threatened with harm.

Lesson 5 of the CLI Bible study asks about suffering for following in Jesus steps.
An inmate wrote us his response to a physical threat: “You’re trying to make me afraid. But you can’t threaten me with heaven.”

Another wrote: “I was to hold a Bible study in the yard and as I got to the table first I was surrounded by a gang that told me they would jump me if I didn’t leave (they said the table was theirs). So I sat down and prayed but refused to move.
I told them God was more powerful than any gang and they could stab me if they wanted, but that table that day was God’s. They thought I was crazy but God made them go away and we had a great Bible study that day.”

Isaiah 41:10 ~ “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

A Note From the Office of the Chaplain

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director of CLI

Dear CLI,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
We received the box of books that you sent us, and we want to thank you for your generosity. As you know, we are dependent on people like you to supply our ladies with good Christian material so that they can have an opportunity to experience the change that only God can bring into their lives.
Once again, thank you for all you do, and may God bless you and your ministry.
Sincerely,
Chaplain Garcia,
TDCJ
Gatesville, TX

Seeking God’s Glory and Will Through Prayer

Posted by Kathleen Skaar - Executive Director of CLI

In 1997 we began recording our praises and requests so that other saints could join us in prayer. The first request was that CLI, then known as Christian Library of Raleigh, would grow and mature for the glory of God and that God’s will be done in every detail. The second request was that we meet the spiritual needs of our readers and users of the Library and our volunteers.

Previously called Home Prayers, we now call our partners in prayer, Prayer Warriors. I write the weeks “Praises and Requests” and email or mail them to our fellow laborers. In our army of Prayer Warriors are inmates who delight in serving this way while incarcerated. They know the power and magnitude of their prayers.

God has led me to make various changes over the years in organizing and writing the “CLI Praises and Requests.” One of the changes was to record a Bible verse at the top of the page and write a prayer using the scripture as inspiration. Our Prayer Warriors are invited to begin their time of prayer with this holy recognition of God.

This was put into effect on May 4, 1999. Here is that first prayer. Please pray with us:

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. NIV Psalm 16:11

O Heavenly Father, May we and all our volunteers remember daily our own need to be taught by Your Holy Word and be filled with Your Spirit so that we reflect Your joy before all whom we meet. Amen.

Here is our current prayer from July 25, 2009. Please pray with us:

The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. NIV Psalm 118:27

O LORD, Sovereign and majestic, we praise Your mighty name! Thank You for making Your light shine upon us. We enter your gates with thanksgiving and your courts with praise in the merciful name of Jesus Christ our hope and redeemer. Amen

Thank you for joining us in prayer! Please email Kathleen, kskaar@cli-nc.org if you feel God is leading you to officially join us as a Prayer Warrior. We will email you the CLI Prayer Warrior request form.

Back Yard Mission Field

Posted by Martha Carpenter - Office Administrator at CLI

A few years ago when I moved to “the Triangle” (Raleigh, Durham, & Chapel Hill, North Carolina), I met a new neighbor who asked me if I would volunteer to work as a Letter Minister at Christian Library International; answering letters to inmates. When Kathleen Skaar asked me, I did not respond right away. But it did cross my mind that I didn’t know how to answer letters to inmates.
Then the Lord moved on my heart that maybe I should go see what it was all about. The Letter Ministers write a personal response to inmate letters requesting a Bible or Christian book. (It is as easy as typing email, and help is provided with “copy & paste” in the computer on various topics that the inmates write and ask about.) Most of all, the Holy Spirit helps you in your responses.
Many inmates are NEW Christians who want encouragement in their walk with the Lord! Whatever it is they need, it is an open opportunity to speak the love of JESUS!
I soon realized that I looked forward to the 2 hours a week I went to CLI to answer letters. The letters from the inmates would really lift me up - and I was supposed to do that for them! What a blessing.

Like the Apostle Paul said:

“I’m eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to each other.” Romans 1:12 NLT

Not only that, I realized that a mission field for Christ is right here in my backyard at CLI! Answering letters is a way to “visit” those who are in prison. If you live in the “Triangle”, can you give two hours a week to bless someone’s life?
Call us at 212-8122.

… naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. Matt. 25:36

Inmate Larry, Gainesville, FL, recently wrote us:

“Thank you for all you done for me! Wanted to let you know I really respect what you do. It was nice to know that there are real people left in this world! You and your team [volunteers]was great! I don’t have any more family. My Mom and Dad are both gone and I was an only child and I have no one to talk to! It’s lonely in here and all these guys get mail I get nothing! But I took the time to tell you, so you take care and thank you again from my heart. I really love reading the Bible. Well I got 30 years to go do – and I’m taking my Lord with me!”

113 Prison Inmates in Bible Studies

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director at CLI

CLI partners with the Crossroad Bible Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Every quarter, CBI sends us a summary of how many new inmates have signed up for their Bible studies.
The CLI total for the second quarter is 113! Of course, that's in addition to other inmates who are taking the CLI Leadership Bible Study!
We praise God for every inmate enrolled in a Christian Bible study!

The Youths Loved the Bibles

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director at CLI

I wanted to let you know, the youths loved the bibles and material that you sent. It is a blessing to them.
The Quiet Strength, NLT Bible is a great translation for the youths. Being able to understand the literature, helps encourage reading states the youth who got the new bibles.
If their are any more Bibles available or ministry aids please send more. Thank you!
Chaplain Marianna, FL

A Visit from Barnabas…Way

Posted by Kathleen Skaar - Executive Director of CLI

“I believe CLI will see significant growth in the years to come,” said Barnabas a.k.a. Justin Hime, (COO) Chief Operating Officer of Barnabas Way Foundation in Raleigh. Justine, like our biblical friend Barnabas, is very much the encourager.

We have been partnering with the Barnabas Way Foundation since 2004. Their matching gift donations have helped us ship books, hire Martha and purchase valuable software. Thus, we can reach more inmates with the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Justin used a “Live Scribe Pen” to take notes. It has a tiny camera and recorder in the pen so that it can be downloaded into one’s computer. WOW! That led us to talk about other technological innovations that can really help ministries be more effective.

We also discussed how technology might affect our book readers. “Since inmates do not have access to computers or like products, I don’t see that changing in the next 100 years,” said Kathleen. “Even if publishers do stop printing Christian books, we’ll have a large supply of used books that will carry us well into the future.”

P.S. – for the CLI tour and our 2 hour conversation, contact Justin who has it all recorded on his pen!

Sharing Bibles in Prison

Posted by Martha Carpenter - Office Administrator at CLI

How many Bibles does your family own? If you are like my family, you probably answer “more than one”. In prison, it may be just the opposite. Just one Christian inmate sharing his Bible with many other inmates. The #1 request we receive from inmates is for their own Bible. Especially Study Bibles to help them understand what they are reading. (They are always very polite and appreciative with their requests).
We receive letters like this one this past week from Inmate Windell, in Tarboro, North Carolina:

“I received this beautiful Bible today. We here in D-1 are very excited. GOD is mighty. I have never seen grown men get too excited by a book (smile). God bless you and your organization. We are gathering up a GREAT ARMY for CHRIST. God has once again taken a bad situation and turned it in to goodness, PRAISE THE LORD. Christian Library is at the top of our prayer list. The world has forgotten about us but we are not of the world. Our prayer group is increasing weekly. If possible please forward me 5 more applications for the correspondence course. [CLI Leadership Bible Study – leading others to Christ]. God bless you for your kindness, GOD’S SPIRIT is moving in this place. Thank you very much, In the LOVE of CHRIST,”

Receiving your very own Bible while incarcerated is indeed exciting. Perhaps your family has an “extra Bible” that you would like to donate to Christian Library International; so that more brothers on “D-1” can receive one of their own. Praise God His Spirit is moving in the hearts of men and women in prison.

CLI is Featured in the Biblical Recorder

Check out the complete article at http://www.biblicalrecorder.org/post/Ministry-reaches-inmates-with-Bibles-books.aspx

The Total Population of the US Corrections System Now Exceeds 7.3 Million!

Posted by Anders Skaar - Missions Director of CLI

A recent report by the Pew Center reported that the total population of the US corrections system now exceeds 7.3 million. It includes:
• 2.2 million prison inmates and
• 5.1 million on parole.
The average cost of a prison inmate is $29,000 while the average cost of a person on probation is $2,000 per year. The percentage of Black adults and Hispanic adults outnumber White adults.
Here at CLI, we see these numbers as a vast opportunity to introduce prison inmates to Christ! Every year inmates write us that they had accepted Christ through CLI materials. Countless others do not write us and yet others accept Christ through other means. We praise God for allowing CLI to reach into the prisons, jails and youth detention centers.

Faith Clears the Fog

Posted by Kathleen Skaar - Executive Director of CLI

"My eye is not on the thickness of the fog but on the living God who controls every circumstance of my life." This is how George Mueller (1805-1898, born in Prussia) replied to his ship captain. The captain had told George that it was impossible to make it to Quebec in time for George’s meeting. He asked George, “Have you seen how dense this fog is?”
George believed God had arranged the appointment for His purposes and in His will. Therefore he simply prayed that the fog would clear in 5 minutes. It did.
The captain later shared that this encounter with Mr. Mueller revolutionized his walk with the Lord. He had seen God’s Spirit move through this frail man in his 70s simply because of his faith and trust in God. George reminds all of us to keep our eyes on God and not on the circumstances that we may come across.
My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. NIV Psalm 25:15
Whatever trap you are in, remember God is the only one who can free you. He provides the solutions to all your problems. But keep in mind, His perfect solution may be different from what you anticipate. Keep your focus on Jesus and expect Him to provide for you in all circumstances.
Not only do we share faith lessons like this one with our inmates, they in turn share faith lessons with us. We receive many letters from inmates praising God for His solution for them: incarceration. Their faith clears the fog of prison. May our faith clear the fog our present situation. Amen.

Board Meeting

Norman Beckham, missionary and pastor was nominated and installed to the CLI Board of Directors this week. Norman shared how interested and impressed he was when he first heard about CLI. He feels a calling from the Lord to our ministry and very much enjoys his service as a volunteer.
Lanny Bynum was nominated and installed as treasurer. He is a partner of Burns and Bynum CPA firm in Cary. Lanny has over 25 years of diverse financial and strategic operational experience and leads the financial, accounting and strategic consulting specialties of the firm. He made some good suggestions about CLI’s tag line and making sure folks know we are a prison ministry.

Connecting with the United Methodists

Anders and I met with Reverend Carol Goehring, Director of Connectional Ministries for North Carolina. She told us, “We were just talking about what to do with used Christian books at lunch today. And here you are!” God is always connecting and making relationships with His people.
Carol will be sending out an email to let her constituents know where to send their used Christian books, Bibles, CDs and DVDs. She will also let them know of our need for “letter ministers.” Yes, we need volunteers to answer correspondence from the inmates that we serve.

Blessed By Volunteering

Posted by Chandler Gillespie - CLI volunteer since 2002

I am a volunteer in the CLI shipping and packing area. Since I am privileged to handle many of the donated books that The Lord allows to pass through CLI, I often find a title or author that The Holy Spirit encourages me to read. Most recently, I read Max Lucado's "And the Angels Were Silent".
Not only am I blessed to be able to work and fellowship with many wonderful Christian staff and volunteers, I am blessed to be able to read many solid Christian Books.

God Provides

Posted by Martha Carpenter - Office Administrator at CLI

Being a volunteer Letter Minister at CLI is a beautiful blessing! Every week, even daily, we see the loving hand of our God who provides. Who cares about the small details of our lives. Who cares about the things His children care about; like specific books.
When books are donated to CLI, before they are packed and shipped to the prison chaplains, we have the opportunity to look through them to see if there is just the right book for the right person at the right time. All in God’s sovereign care. Often, we receive letters requesting specific book titles; or themes.
Such was the case yesterday, July 7th. We received this letter:
“My name is Joey and I was looking through this book call “But God Meant it for Good, The Life of Joseph". And Joseph is one of my favorite people in the O.T. But it sounds and looks as if it would be a really good Bible study and I would like to try it. I am a true believer in Jesus Christ and I want to learn more and more. I’m glad I picked up the book. Your new friend and brother in Christ Jesus.” Inmate Joey, Machiasport, ME
Joey had obviously borrowed the book from the chaplain’s library; and seen the CLI post office box stamp on the inside cover. He wanted a copy for himself, because it was a Bible Study workbook. How do we know? Because we found just one copy of this book, by David Jeremiah, in the midst of the books on the table waiting to be stamped! God is so good. It is so exciting to be able to write back to Joey and tell him we had the book and we were sending it to him!
Joey also told us he was 40 years old and suffers from Lyme disease, and Fibromyalgia; and has Klinefelters Syndrome (an extra chromosome). He adds, “Anyway, I have a learning disability from it but I really try and I’m blessed with Jesus help.”
Another blessing we receive is the testimonies of faith in Christ, like Joey’s.

Sharing Jesus With Confidence

“Thank you so much for the CLI Leadership Bible Study learning experience. I participate in various studies and courses and receive knowledge from all. This one makes sure that each lesson is learned through repetition, explanation, and interpretation giving me the ability to share God and Jesus with others with confidence. I definitely see how this course will help me become a leader for those who need the love and knowledge available through Jesus. This course will help me to work with others (children of all ages – I feel are my calling). I anxiously await my next lesson! God bless you!” Inmate Jacqueline, Pensacola, FL

Word of Mouth through Seniors

The doorbell rang at the CLI offices soon after Susan left on July 3rd. Kathleen answered the door and met a gentle woman named Jean and her son, Tom. She heard about CLI at her retirement home and wanted to bring two bags of books for the inmates.
We had a nice tour and Jean’s parting words were, “I’m going to tell others about CLI!”

CLI is a Strategic Ministry

Susan telephoned Kathleen on Friday, July 3rd and then came over with a box of Christian books from Cresset Christian Academy. This was her first time visit with us; she heard about us from Family Christian Bookstores in the Raleigh area. She was intrigued.
We got to know each other through the short tour that we give to our visitors. Susan loves the Lord and is seeking His will about working. She has a PH.D in biochemistry and is waiting to hear about a post doc job. She is married with 4 children. Her husband is from Nigeria and is a hospital chaplain.
Susan said, “CLI is a strategic ministry and I will definitely be bringing more books!”
We are happy about that! We have a great need for Christian books, Bibles, DVDs and magazines for the youth we serve in the detention centers. In fact, we recently sent out a post card to Christian schools who might want to do a book drive.

CLI Collects 94,089 Books in the First 6 Months of 2009

CLI has collected 94 thousand books in the first six months of 2009! About 95% of these books have been sent on to about 1,000 US prisons. Lives are being changed every day! Many inmates think we stock books and ask for a specific book. In reality, as the books come in, they are processed and they go right back out.

We are also approaching several church associations to help spread the word that CLI is looking for more and more Christian books.

We praise God for his constant provision. In our 14 years, we have never run out of donated books!