News and Notes about The Missing Link,
Your Gateway to Prison Ministry & Christian Rehab Program Networking!
Pass this issue to a friend! Press here to
Visit us on the Web: http://misslink.org
- Associate Pastor in Prison
- Your Invitation Behind the Walls
- Chicken Soup Chaplain
- Touched So Many in a Bad Way
- The Lean Season
- From the Prison Mailbag - Feedback on Black Samson
- Feedback from Internet Folks - Let's open the e-mailbox!
- Excellent Resources - You won't want to miss!
- Helpful Links Around Our Web Site
- Free Ministry Brochure...at your request!
- Are You Online?...Send us your e-mail address.
- Memorial Gifts - To honor and remember people you love.
- Thank You to Our Prayer Backers - You're number one!
- How to Reach Us [Phone, fax, web, e-mail, or regular snail mail...phew!]
- We Need to Hear from You [Who me???...Yes, you!!]
- How Do I Subscribe to This Newsletter? [Free advice!]
From the pen of
Chaplain Kurt "Mario" Haas
Last week, I was privileged to take our associate pastor into prison
with me. The 85 inmates were richly blessed by his ministry in song
and in the Word. At the end of the service, 35 stood in answer to
the call to give their lives to the Lord. The associate pastor sent us
this grateful note of appreciation:
"Thank you for the opportunity to minister with you yesterday at
the prison. It was a wonderful experience for which I am so
appreciative. It caused me to see even more the value and
tremendous impact of your ministry. It was such a blessing to see
the response of the inmates at the altar seeking God."
Your Invitation Behind the Walls
If you're ever passing through the Cleveland, Ohio area, e-mail me
at least 2-3 weeks in advance, so I can make arrangements with
security clearance, to take you behind the walls for a firsthand
glimpse of prison ministry.
Chicken Soup Chaplain
In Monday's chapel service, I took a poll among the inmates, asking
them if I should discontinue opening with stories from Chicken Soup
for the Soul. That caused an overwhelming response in favor of the
stories. I guess that means I'll have to continue living with the
nickname inmates have given me: Chicken Soup Chaplain. For some
reason, I can't get through reading one of these stories without
weeping. Soon I can see tears on the inmates' faces. These
heartwarming stories never fail to soften hardened hearts in
preparation for ministry from the Word.
Touched So Many in a Bad Way
When an inmate recently wrote me: "It just hurts
that I've touched so many people's lives in a bad way," it keenly reminded
me of the night, when, as a young convert, I felt the sting of those same words.
Before going to bed that evening, I found these verses in the Bible:
"Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him,
and makest him drunken also.... Thou art filled with shame for glory. For...
violence...shall cover thee...." (Habakkuk 2:15).
Working for nine long years as a bartender and professional waiter,
I had served many a customer intoxicating beverages. It seemed like the crushing weight of
all those drinks came down over me in a wave of remorse and regret for having "touched so many
people's lives in a bad way."
I remember crying for what seemed like hours, over the terrible pain and misery I must
have caused so many lives and so many families. I remember the beautiful cleansing that
came as I sought God's forgiveness and cleansing. He lifted the heavy weight of guilt
and shame. What a wonderful Savior we serve!
The Lean Season
The lean season for nonprofits has begun - that period between
income tax day and September. We're trusting the Lord to meet all
our needs as we give our best in service to Him, spreading the Good
News throughout the prison system and doing our best to leave a
spiritual impact on the Internet, which continues to double in size
every 100 days. It's here we're reaching far more than we ever
dreamed possible.
Friend, your prayers and support mean more than we can express.
Together, we will continue...
Bringing deliverance to the captive,
Kurt "Mario" Haas, Chaplain
The Missing Link, Inc.
P. O. Box 40031
Cleveland, OH 44140-0031
440-282-1683
440-960-1871 Voice/Fax
online @ misslink.org
Make us your Christian starting point on the Web -
misslink.org
Chaplain Mario's true life story.
Back to In this issue...
From the Prison Mailbag
Letter to Chaplain Mario
"I greatly appreciate your taking time to write and also steer me
in the right direction. I do have real hope and I pray, but there
is still this ache, worry inside of me. Is this that I just have a
healthy fear of God now?
"I walked through this world and life without even stopping to
think. For 33 years, I've stumbled. Don't get me wrong. There is
joy and hope in my heart, and I know Jesus died for my sins, for
the world's sins. It just hurts that I've touched so many people's
lives in a bad way.
"This past month, it seems like it's been one struggle after the
other, and at times I felt that I should throw in the towel. After
reading the Bible more, about the struggles of the people of the
Old Testament, I realized that I hadn't given anything my all. I
have been a quitter, a giver upper, a throw-in-the-towel type of
fellow my whole life.
"Now I truly want the Lord in my life always and I enjoy when it's
just Him and I. Maybe that is selfish, but when we are alone, I can
cry or I can sing and that's when I'm at my strongest. Your talking
with me helped me. I only hope to continuously give that devil a
black eye." - Robert (Ohio prison)
How to Pray for Robert
- Pray that God will destroy the power and influence of Satan and his kingdom over
Robert.
- Pray also that God will preserve Robert's faith and help him become mighty in spirit.
Back to In this issue...
Feedback from Internet Folks
Let's open the e-mailbox!
"I'm interested in your [suicide] book. My life is very difficult!
Please send me one!" - Rahel [Switzerland]
* * *
"Please send a free copy of 'Suicide' to me.
I've been having such a
hard time that I've been staying with friends so
they will keep an eye on me. My life is just spinning out of control
right now and I can't seem to get happy about anything. My parents
don't support me in anything and life just seems meaningless. I'm
hoping that this book will help." - Cristina [New York, USA]
* * *
"I LOVE THIS WEB SITE!!!!!!! I put it as my home page because it's so
useful and resourceful." - Jared [USA]
* * *
"What a wonderful site! I can't wait for the weekend so I can check
everything out!!! I am passing it on to all my family and friends!"
- Charlotte [USA]
* * *
"Thank you. I live alone, out on a lonely farm in England. To be
able to receive the word of our FATHER at a touch of a button is
truly a blessing for me." - Derek [England]
* * *
"I am the woman who asked you about leaving a violent husband. I found your [link to the]
booklet When Violence Comes Home.
Thank you so much for this information.
It has answered a lot of questions for me. Please pray for me as I seek
God's will and direction." [USA]
* * *
"For the last month, I have felt that I don't want to teach Sunday school
anymore. My interest in it is gone. When I first started teaching, I loved
it. Couldn't wait to get to it each day. Now I dread it. What in this
world is the matter with me? I have had a hard time reading my Bible. I just
have to make myself. I don't understand what is wrong. I tell the Lord all
about it. I ask him to put a love back in my heart for the word, for the
things of God. Yet when I try to read the Bible I find myself far away. I
find myself in deep thought about something else. I find myself not wanting
to do the things I use to.
"I just don't want to lose my relationship with Jesus. I don't want to fall
away from him. It is so easy to do that if you aren't careful. It can
happen so quickly that you don't even realize it sometimes. I don't know
what is going on. Maybe you can help me." [USA]
* * *
"Thank you for your answer to my question. That you would even take the time
to do that means a lot to me. Thank you for your dedication." [USA]
* * *
"I am a Christian High School teacher from Greece and I have been assigned to
present a program on 'Drug prevention.' My aim is to show that the answer to
drugs is Jesus Christ. I would be extremely grateful if you could help me with
this program, by helping me understand the biblical perspective on drugs and
letting me have testimonies of drug addicts which Christ delivered them."
- John [Greece]
* * *
"I just had to write. I went looking on the net for 'Bible.' I clicked
on your area because I have two grandchildren that are unchurched unless
I take them. Adam is 7 and April is 10. Over the years, I have tried
telling them stories about God. Even though I know The Lord, I had a
hard time putting what I knew and believed in words they could
understand and maintain. I printed the first story
'The World That Was Just Right,' read it, and knew this was my answer. April and Adam
always want me to tell them stories before they go to bed and I will be
able to use these stories
when they spend the night. It is well
written...good thinking area, a verse to learn, and ending it with a
prayer to God, then showing where it is in the Bible, so they know the
story is true. This is wonderful." - Ann [USA]
Back to In this issue...
Excellent Resources
Don't miss the timely article "Why Are Kids Shooting Their
Classmates?" written by a Christian military expert and published
in "Christianity Today." If you have no web access, ask me to
e-mail a copy of this resource to you.
Why Are Kids Shooting Their Classmates?
www.ctlibrary.com/ct/1998/aug10/8t9030.html
Hell's Best Kept Secret by Ray Comfort
A must-read by every Christian! If you read no other book, read
this one.
Hell's Best Kept Secret
Ray Comfort tells you why 80-90 percent of new converts never stay
in church. You can listen to Ray Comfort's messages on the web at
http://www.raycomfort.com
When Violence Comes Home - Help for victims of spouse abuse
www1.gospelcom.net/rbc/ds/cb951/
How Can The Church Respond To Spouse Abuse?
www1.gospelcom.net/rbc/ds/cb951/page5.html
Back to In this issue...
Helpful Links Around Our Web Site
Make us your Christian starting point on the Web -
misslink.org
Multilingual Site
www.tscpulpitseries.org
Plan of Salvation
misslink.org/chapel/plan.html
How to be Born Again
misslink.org/born.html
"Please Help Me Now!"
misslink.org/help.html
About Us
misslink.org/about.html
Chaplain Mario's True Life Story
misslink.org/mario.html
How to Contact Us
misslink.org/contact.html
Frequently Asked Questions
misslink.org/faq.html
Missing Link in Action
misslink.org/pictures.html
Practical Help for Troubled Youth & Adults
and Those Who Minister to Them
misslink.org/practicl.html
Program Application
misslink.org/appl4.html
Program Info Collection Form
misslink.org/info2.html
Black Samson by Levi Keidel
misslink.org/blacksam.html
Suicidal?
misslink.org/distrib1.html
Teen Challenge
misslink.org/tc.html
DOs and DON'Ts (Tips for Writing Inmates)
misslink.org/tips.html
Volunteers Needed
misslink.org/voluntee.html
Chapel Homepage
misslink.org/chapel2.html
Award-Winning Children's Chapel
misslink.org/children.html
Tribute to "Mom" Wilkerson
misslink.org/tribute.html
Missing Link Site Index
misslink.org/siteind.html
Missing Link German Web Site
misslink.org/german/mlg.htm
Free Ministry Brochure ... at your request!
A free, descriptive ministry brochure is now available to present The
Missing Link to your friends and your church, school or civic organization.
Please send a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope when you make your request.
Address your request to:
Ministry Brochure Request
The Missing Link, Inc.
P. O. Box 40031
Cleveland, OH 44140-0031
U.S.A.
If you want an online edition of our ministry brochure, you can find it
at our web site:
http://misslink.org
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Are You Online?
Send us your e-mail address
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Memorial Gifts
To honor and remember people you love.
This column will be used monthly to list gifts given IN HONOR or IN MEMORY
of someone. Your name
(if desired) will be published along with the person's
name whom you are honoring or memorializing.
In Memory of:
Corrie Lykken
Given by:
Merle and Marie Lykken
Alcester, SD
This gift was given in memory of their daughter, Corrie Lykken, who was
tragically killed by a drunken driver.
If you wish to designate a "Gift in Honor," or a "Gift in Memory," please
clip and mail this coupon, along with your gift, to:
The Missing Link, Inc.
P. O. Box 40031
Cleveland, OH 44140
Your Name:_______________________________________
Street:____________________________________________
City, State, Zip:____________________________________
Person you are (Check one) [ ] Honoring or [ ] Memorializing:
Name:____________________________________________
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Thank You to Our Prayer Backers - You're number one!
We couldn't stay on the frontlines without your prayer support. Please
remember, your prayers are VITAL to this ministry and much appreciated. We know
as we unite together and believe Him Who is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all we ask or think, great things will be accomplished for the Kingdom of
God. Let's continue to keep our chins up and our knees down!
Back to In this issue...
How to Reach Us
[Phone, fax, web, e-mail, or regular snail mail...phew!]
World Wide Web Address: http://misslink.org
Snail Mail:
Chaplain Mario
The Missing Link, Inc.
P. O. Box 40031
Cleveland, OH 44140-0031
FAX: [440] 960-1871
Telephone: [440] 282-1683
Your help is so much appreciated!
Back to In this issue...
We Need to Hear from You
[Who me???...Yes, you!!]
Hey, thanks for taking the time to show your interest! You can return this
form by e-mail, snail mail or fax - whichever is most handy for you. By the
way, your comments and suggestions are most welcome!
-------------------------------------------------- cut
here----------------------------------------------
Chaplain Mario,
[ ] I will faithfully do my best to remember you and The
Missing Link in my prayers each day.
[ ] You have stirred my heart, please pray for me.
[ ] By faith, as God enables me, I will commit myself to a
Monthly Faith Promise of $_______.
[ ] Use my gift where needed most.
[ ] Please provide me with envelopes for giving. I'm enclosing
my regular mail address.
[ ] Please contact me, I want to help with a special ministry need.
(See Premier Online Newsletter.)
[ ] Please send me information on an affordable Christian
alternative to health insurance.*
[ ] Please send me information on 7-cents-a-minute
long-distance calling.*
*Beloved, I only mention these to provide you with a way to give
these tremendous savings to missions! These programs are not a
part of The Missing Link. We only refer these as a service to you.
Important: Please provide a business-size (#10), self-addressed,
stamped envelope for this referral information. Your SASE really
helps save our ministry time and money. Thanks for being so considerate!
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How Do I Subscribe to This Newsletter? [Free advice!]
That's easy. Just press here to
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This web site is a service of
The Missing Link, Inc.®
Linking Troubled Youth and Adults with Life-Changing Programs
Web site - http://misslink.org
Chapel Site: http://misslink.org/chapel2.html
Home of David Wilkerson's Times Square Church Pulpit Series Multilingual Web Site
http://www.tscpulpitseries.org
Copyright © 2003 - The Missing Link, Inc. ®
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Last updated November 27, 2003.
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