"I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand... and give thee for... a light of the Gentiles... to bring out the prisoners from the prison."
Isaiah 42:6-8

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April 2005 Newsletter

Grapes, Grafts, and Pepsi®

This spring, my son Marlin and I tried our hand at something we’ve never done before. I made grafts on two of our grapevines, and Marlin made two grafts on his kiwi vine. Now we are waiting. Will the grafts take hold, connect to the nourishment of the vine, grow, and live? It will take a few weeks to know. Already a tiny new bud is showing on one of the grafts, but this bit of life does not ensure success, for if the little branch does not grow solidly connected to the main stem, it will grow for a few days and then wither. If the graft is to succeed, the new branch must become one with the vine, grow, and bear the desired fruit.

In prisons across this nation, the same Life-giver is at work, and we see buds springing up everywhere. Yet Jesus taught that the branch cannot bear fruit on its own; it must abide in the Vine (John 15:1–6). A branch that does not abide in the vine dies, is thrown out, and burned.

Many prisoners are longing to be grafted into the True Vine; some seem already to be connected, thriving, and bearing fruit in Him; but there are still countless seekers who know nothing about abiding in the Vine. Many have been assured that if they say a certain prayer or sign a little card, their future in heaven is secure. Without an understanding of obedience and oneness with Jesus, their faith often fails under stress and dies away.

Our burden here is to use the Loaves & Fishes magazine to teach our searching fellowmen how to be truly grafted into Jesus, to abide in Him, and to bear abundant fruit. We are deeply grateful for all those who have become our partners in this ministry through prayers and contributions. Only our Master knows how much fruit will be born in His kingdom because of your sacrifice.

Think about it—you can walk up to a vending machine, drop in some spare change, grab your Pepsi, and toss the empty bottle into the trash minutes later. For about the same cost, another copy of Loaves & Fishes can be sent to a prisoner who will read it, likely more than once, perhaps even passing it on to friends whose lives will also be touched by its message. Thus the truth that has set you free reaches places where you could never go yourself. Is it a difficult decision?

Thanks to the grace of God and the generous gifts of our brothers and sisters, we were able to send out over 40,000 copies of Loaves & Fishes in March. The next issue is nearly ready for printing, and we are now shopping for the best price on paper. To help purchase paper, see the form on the back of this newsletter. We depend on your support to help us get the next issue sent into the prisons on time. God is using your prayers and contributions to advance His kingdom. May He be glorified in our lives!

—Darold Gingerich

Prisoner Letters

I have no words to thank you adequately or even begin to describe the gratitude I feel towards your diligent ministry.
Mario Meniola III, Tracy, California

One of the guys slid your book under my door. I don’t know who, but I’m sure God had something to do with it. Can you please start sending [Loaves & Fishes] as soon as possible? Thank you for warming my heart and reminding me who I should be like.
Glenn Doyle, Cheshire Corr. Institution, Cheshire, Connecticut

I would like to express my gratitude to you all for caring about those of us who many forget about.
Brandon Mitchell, Bradshaw State Jail, Henderson, Texas

I would like to be on your mailing list please. I’ve read your publishing for a couple of years (praise God). I enjoy the book greatly! It’s a blessing in my new walk of faith.
Charles Fuell, AZ St. Prison Complex, Buckeye, Arizona

Click here to read more letters from prisoners.