October 2026 Report
Change of Seasons
Variety is the spice of life. As much as there is to like about each season, I always like the transition from one season to another. Maybe it’s nostalgia. But really, would we want to mow grass twelve months of the year? Or live in perennial springtime, where we always plant, but never harvest?
“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain” (James 5:7). The rain and sun of one season brings forth fruit in the next.
Even deserts have distinct seasons. God created these cycles of nature, and He created the cycles of life. Some seasons aren’t as pleasant, and require long periods of waiting. Some seasons provide us with abundant joy. My wife and I recently became grandparents. If you also have enjoyed this season, you know its sheer happiness.
Those in the workforce often feel they are trapped in the daily grind, and wish for retirement, or even just the weekend. But those in the season of retirement often struggle with lack of purpose, and in darker moments say they feel like they are just waiting to die.
What does the change of seasons say to us? It tells us to be patient, change is coming. The Lord is coming. The fruit of our labor is coming. A time of rest is coming. Jesus is even now preparing a place for us, so that we may be there with Him.
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9). Each season has its own appeal, and if we are patient and thankful, we can not only enjoy the beauty of our current season but also cheerfully anticipate the changes to come.
We thank all of you, our supporters and distributors, for partnering with us in the work of the kingdom of God. You have allowed Lighthouse Publishing and Loaves & Fishes magazine to be a part of your life in some way. We hope our material is a useful tool and a great blessing to you and to those you care about in prison.
Publishing Update
Issue 60 was shipped on schedule in early September, with Life in Christ Mennonite Church from Cumberland, Maryland assisting our local staff in preparing the bulk packages for shipment. For each of our four mailings per year, we solicit the help of a church or group of volunteers. Around 30 volunteers are typically able to package all the envelopes and boxes for the various subscription sizes in around 90 minutes, working in three separate package assembly lines.
Simultaneously, our staff run the pre-sort mailing for the single magazine subscriptions. These pre-tabbed magazines are fed through an address printer and packed in plastic mail trays. Within a few days of our mail packing event, the pre-sort segment is delivered to our local post office, and the bulk packages are delivered to a regional USPS facility.
We are currently editing issue 61, which is scheduled to go to print by early November. In December, we hope to ship this final issue of the year. In this issue, we will discuss how to study the Bible, with an emphasis on spiritual growth: reading the Bible to know God, trust Him, and obey Him in daily life, even in difficult circumstances.
Financial Update
At this time, we have around $10,000 in operating funds on hand. We have around $113,000 in reserves, currently being held in a CD which will mature in time to fund the next issue of Loaves & Fishes.
The cost to create, print, and ship the next magazine is projected to be around $36,000. We have been blessed with resources to continue our regular publishing schedule, and we thank our kind donors for their care and compassion for those in prison.
Reader Feedback
God bless you and your ministry. You make a huge difference to many of us here!
—Eric Poole
Ouachita River Correctional Unit, Malvern, AR
Distributor Feedback
All of the inmates are enjoying the written content, and the puzzles and word searches are especially appreciated. Loaves & Fishes can be used as a conversation starter. The content, so far, has been perfectly suited for those incarcerated.
—Chaplain Robin Malek
Macomb County Jail, Mount Clemens, MI
