Mission Behind Bars and Beyond
Fall September 2015 Newsletter
Our Vision
Mission Behind Bars and Beyond to be Honored by The Kentucky Council of Churches
We Need Your Support!....Now!
What Mission Behind Bars and Beyond is doing is effective and transformative--to our returning citizens and our volunteers. Read the testimonies below.
In the meantime, please consider making a monetary gift. You can go to our website at www.missionbehindbarsandbeyond.org and find PayPal or send a check to Mission Behind Bars and Beyond at P.O. Box 22034, Louisville, Kentucky 40252. Your donation is tax deductible. Thank you.
Testimony from Returning Citizen and Now Mentor Ryan Rivard
At 50 years of age, I was finishing a total of 17 years of incarceration. I was burnt out from doing so much time, and I had finished my treatments for a second recurrence of cancer. Sick spiritually, mentally and physically, I honestly wished I could die, rather than be released. Living for so many years incarcerated, I was unprepared for the reality of what was going to happen upon my release.
I found myself broke, homeless, unemployable, uneducated and an active drug addict. This was a perfect storm of disaster waiting to happen; I truly believed that I would get released and take my life by overdosing. I came into contact with Mark Johnson while I was incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. He interviewed me for my possible participation in a group called Mission Behind Bars and Beyond. I distinctly remember my application, where, in one section, I was asked what I would like to be, or what my hope was that I would become. I answered that I would like to be a real friend to people and have people trust me.
When I was released, I was introduced to a group. I felt awkward around people who said they were interested in helping me improve myself. The truth is I didn't know how to be around people in the real world, how to act appropriately. This group was called the Nurture Support and Accountability Group (NSAG). It was comprised of regular church going people who seemed to care about me. I found it difficult to understand their motives at first, but as the weeks went on and as I began to embrace the concepts of what the group was about, I began to flourish.
I lived in a homeless shelter, had no money and little hope. Slowly, progressively, my life began to get better, I began to change inside. I began to look forward to the future instead of dreading it. I had a conduit through the NSAG that helped me find direction, not only finding it, but understanding how to plan and accomplish my goals. The group helped me focus and gave me friendship. They helped me see my value, I have hated myself for so long that I didn't understand how to love myself and how to do positive things in my life to achieve a better outcome.
I had lived my life as a victim for so many years, believing that I played only a small part in the misfortune that always seemed to derail and destroy my dreams. The NSAG held me accountable, and I began to realize that I was a major impediment to my success in life. I made bold plans to go back to school. I was six months clean and sober when I began college. Amazingly, after finishing my first year, I have a 4.0 GPA. At twelve years of age, I dropped out of school. As a member of the NSAG, I received the tutoring help that I needed. My whole life has been transformed because of Mission Behind Bars and Beyond.
Today, as a mentor in a NSAG, I find it rewarding to work with people newly released from prison. It gives me a proper perspective of where I have come from, but also invaluable understanding of what that newly returned citizen is going through. I am contributing. I am making a difference in someone else’s life. It feels good. I am so grateful for the Mission Behind Bars and Beyond Group.
New Life in Christ Christian Church Continues to Touch Lives
Lauren is baptized.
Kesha, Tammy and Jen serve communion
New members Demetria and Keidra are welcomed by Rev. Bucalos
Testimony from Nurture, Support and Accountability Group Volunteer Dona Renfro
I volunteered to be trained for NSAG (Nuture, Support, Accountability Groups). Rev. Dean Bucalos taught us well. However, it took the experience of being part of that first group to really educate me. I was a trusting, well-meaning, middle-class white women. Our first core member came to us with nothing, not even decent shoes. He needed a job and a place to stay. I learned that nobody wants to hire or rent to an ex-felon, especially, a sex offender. Church people came through, providing money, helping to find an apartment, transportation, furniture, clothing. He had only to call and church ladies responded. I learned that ex-felons can be smooth talkers, good story tellers, and can play the role of victim well.
Still, we were successful. He remains out of prison, can take care of himself, financially, has a nice place to live, has made friends, and seems to enjoy life! From subsequent groups, I’ve learned how difficult it is to fit in after being in prison; the constant struggles, hard work, loneliness and pain, the temptation to return to drugs and, even, to prison. I’ve gotten to know some terrific people, ex-offenders, as well all NSAG volunteers. I’m grateful for this amazing opportunity.
--Dona Renfro
From the Pastor's Journal
What struck me on this night was Crystal. As she was returning to her seat after receiving communion, she came over to me and whispered that she would like to be baptized. This is a woman about my adult daughter's age who has been lost in life. With no family to speak of, she has spent most of her life trying to fit in and connect. Drugs and alcohol were her escorts and companions along this futile path. But now this--family--a church family where she is loved unconditionally, this is what she wants and needs. This is what we all want and need, isn't it? To be loved and accepted. To be cherished and appreciated just as we are. Fitting in seems so hard until one meets the family of God.
Get Involved! Mission Behind Bars and Beyond Continues to Grow
How can you support or become involved in this ground-breaking ministry?
1. Make a financial pledge to sustain the ministry.
2. Ask your congregation or organization to support Mission Behind Bars and Beyond by including this ministry in your annual budget or taking a special offering.
3.Consider welcoming a returning citizen to your community of faith.
4. Become a trained member of a Nurture, Support and Accountability Group.
5. Come worship with the women at New Life in Christ Christian Church at Dismas Charities-Diersen--all are welcome--every Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m.--1218 West Oak Street, Louisville, Kentucky.
6. Pray for this ministry and the many lives it will be touching and transforming --both inside and outside the prison.
Contact us at 502-3963543 or e-mail our Program Coordinator at dbucalos@yahoo.com.