Update on JD

In the article, What Do You Get Out of Being A Christian? I told some of JD’s story and his need for encouragement. Shortly after the article, I scheduled a visit with him but when I arrived, he was not allowed visitors. Two days later I received an email that he had been removed from the jail. No other information was available. About ten days later another notification came that JD was back in jail, so I scheduled another visit.

Visit on August 14 – JD was removed from jail to a mental health facility because he heard voices. He also admitted to another suicide attempt. We talked about other problems that have come up in his life. The jail will not allow him to be in a group setting so he cannot attend Bible study. A former inmate has a prison ministry through Riverside Church of Christ in Murfreesboro. He has visited JD in the past but has not been able to visit recently. JD asked me to get in touch with him to see if he could visit again. JD begged me to come more often. He’s had never done that before.

Visit on August 22 – JD seemed preoccupied yesterday. Maybe it was the medication he’s taking or he’s hearing voices again. He finally told me the reason his parents are not visiting. They packed up the other four children and moved to California about four months ago. I checked the visitation records with the jailer and for the last 2-3 months I have been his only visitor. JD is lonely.

In the article, I asked for notes from you about what you personally got out of being a Christian. Now, I would just like a note telling JD that you are praying for him or whatever you may wish to say. He needs to see that Christian people care about him in spite of what he’s done. Help him find that same hope you have. If you send an email to me, your name and email address will be cut off before it’s mailed to him. If you prefer, send a note to the church to my attention. The goal is to send him one note per week as long as they last. Please consider responding.

Thanks

Mike

Proverbs 12:25 ESV Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.