A Letter to my Church
Monday, 12.24.2007
Hello!
I realize you don’t know me, but my name is Tim Hassel. And you’ve been a part of my family’s life for several years through the prison’s Angel Tree project and I would like to thank you on behalf of my children, James & Victoria and myself.
My next question is that I’m about ready to be released back in the community on 5.15.2008.
I have limited resources and have lost contact with a majority of my family in the last 3 years. I’ve been in prison since 1998 for drug & delivery related charges.
You wouldn’t happen to have any type of resources, or a program that you could refer me too?
Once again, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
Sincerely,
Tim
Contact Info:
Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP)
Mr. Hassel, Timothy
SID: 7226782
2605 State St.
Salem, OR 97310
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Amazing letter. This man has been led to the living water by our body’s love in action. A drug dealer. In the pen for ten years. I looked at the return address. O.S.P. It took me awhile. Oregon State Penitentiary. Scary.
Can we … do we dare take someone like this in? Do we have systems in place to help someone like this find his place in the community?
Maybe a better question is this: If we -the church- can’t help him, who can? So what are we going to do?
He will need a job – or going back to selling drugs may be his only option. But who will risk giving this man a job? Will you?
He will need fellowship. But what small group is willing to risk taking him in?
He will need discipleship. Who will spend an hour or two a week with him? Starting now by going to visit him in the penitentiary?
His kids need mentors in their lives’ right now. Who will take them out to Starbucks once a week for a strawberry cappuccino? Who will take James fishing? Who will teach Victoria to do crafts? Who will take them to Church when Mom has to work?
Through the Angel Tree gift program Timothy has been lead to the love we have here at this Church – and now he has written looking for hope. But that hope only can be as deep as our love for him. How deep does our love go?
I know the answer: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present nor things to com, no powers… no height nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of Christ.
This is the kind of love that is around this place. It is the kind of love that will step into danger and say, “The Lord is with me.” It is the kind that reaches into the dirt and is not afraid of getting dirty. It is in these unclean places that Jesus spent his ministry years. He ministered in these places simply because it is in these places that people are most keenly aware of their need for a Savior.
Timothy Hassel has a need. Let’s rise to the occasion, get radical, and meet it. He has been led to the water by our kind actions. Now let us chose to let him drink. Let us not only be known for a cup of cold water – but as a spring of life – a fountain that bubbles over.
Isa 41:17
17 "The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none,
And their tongue is parched with thirst;
I, the LORD, will answer them Myself,
As the God of Israel I will not forsake them.
Jonathan
2 comments:
i read this post over and over again just so i could get a better deeper meaning of it.. and after a while i thought.. this man you mentioned needs what you shared with us this past weekend.. he needs Empowerment.. that life can get better if you indeed let God in.. & He indeed has. The way cool thing i see is that he knows he has been given a new chance at life & that he has the blessed hope where he is looking forward to on the day he is released from prison.. & like all believers having that HOPE on THAT DAY that Christ returns. thank you for sharing that letter & thank you for your sermon. :) ><> God bless!
How cool would it be if we had set up a simple program of willing host families to give inmates who are truly seeking change an opportunity to get back on their feet. I know there are things to be cautious about, and it would be good to have some sort of contract of how long they could stay, and yes, there are plenty of risks for sure! But working so much with homeless ministries has shown me how vicious of a cycle the jail system can be, and there is such a need for individuals to reach out in real tangible loving ways. The difference is amazing! I have seen it first hand.
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