Adapting To The New Normal

September 2022

Adapting to the New Normal

There is a reason so much time has passed since our last newsletter. It is because so little has been happening with FUMI. Thankfully, that has started to change. For the first three months of 2022 there were no prison, jail or juvenile hall visits. While the visits to prisons were on pause, I have been leading a bible study at a half-way house in Placerville throughout the covid shutdown. So far, we have made our way through Ephesians and are currently going through Hebrews. 

Starting in April, we were able to get back to facilitating weekend seminars in Susanville state prison. I was able to preach at the Chowchilla women’s as well. Except for the occasional lockdowns because of Covid, all the prisons have returned to allowing programs and services. With the help of Torrey, Tino and my wife we are hoping to resume our weekly visits to the Folsom State Prison Women’s facility for Monday evening bible studies and Sunday evening Spanish speaking services. 

We have now visited PBSP, NKSP, and CCC (Susanville) as well as Corcoran state prison for the first time in several years. The good news is that the inmates were very appreciative of our stay with them, the bad news is that they can go months without visits from volunteers. However, they have recently implored us to return more often. Lord willing, we will. Unfortunately, our last attempt to return to SVSP was canceled due to staffing issues. 

In the last few years, FUMI has lost volunteers and board members who are now in the presence of our Lord and Savior. Ruben Martinez was a dear friend and brother in Christ. We spent so much time together traveling throughout California, Arizona and even Spokane, Washington. I learned so much from him. Leonard Wilson Banks, served on our board and served in ministry for many years and was a wonderful example of a true man of God. Bob Reeder served as chairman of our board and was a pivotal part of FUMI for longer than I have been. Bob was not only our financial guide, but he was also one of our greatest financial supporters. Even with such loss we realize that by His grace we will continue to be faithful servants, relying on His guidance for many years to come. 

October trip to Tanzania and Ghana, Africa  

Lord willing, Alvin Jackson, our first vice-president, and I will be heading to Africa for two weeks.  We will be spending a week with each of our ministry partners. Samuel A. Mwakasungula, the national director of FUMI in Tanzania, has sent us our itinerary which begins with a three-day seminar in Dar Es Salaam and is followed by another three-day seminar in Mbeya. 

Michael Tettah will have us meet with ten different organizations including a few government organizations. Michael is a Presbyterian pastor and works with the Ecumenical sports and recreational ministry (ESRM) which also ministers in several prisons. Both men have been a part of Follow Up ministries for several years. 

We are very thankful for this opportunity to visit our brothers and share the gospel with so many. We hope to be a blessing to them as they, no doubt, will be to us. 

Please keep us in your prayers and if you feel led to support our trip financially, it would be very much appreciated. We will be traveling with many needed supplies for a multitude of children and inmates. There is a great need for things like toothpaste, soap, toothbrushes and food especially for the men and women behind bars. 

I am looking forward to sharing our experience when we return, which is a great excuse to remind you that we should be back in time for our next annual banquet on the 21st of October. We will be sharing details from our trip as well as hearing testimonies from ex-inmates. 

Petition for

Throughout my serving many years of ministry in several prisons, I have met several amazing men and women that are truly impressive individuals. What I witness in them is the result of God’s grace. They live as Christians are called to live -- as servants of Christ. One of the many misconceptions from those on the outside is that it is easy to be a Christian in prison. The vast majority of those imprisoned would disagree, especially in the level-3 and 4 yards. Genuine Christians stand out greatly in such a dark environment. 

We recently spent a weekend at Corcoran state prison. It had been about 5 years since our last visit there. We went into two level-3 yards and enjoyed our time of teaching God’s word. The men were grateful for the visit and informed us that we were the first volunteers to visit in almost two years. As in most of the yards we visit, there seems to be a handful of men that are sound in doctrine, humble and godly examples for others to follow. One of these men is Jesse Milo. Through my many years of ministry, I have only made petitions for about seven inmates. These were done either by way of letters of recommendation or speaking before a board on their behalf. Usually, I have to spend some time to truly get to know the individual well and be confident that they are legitimate believers.  Well, this was an exception. It didn’t take long to realize that Jessie Milo is a leader among men. He is a very humble and wise man that loves the Lord, and his testimony confirms that he is genuine. Jessie is serving an absurd sentence of 174 years in addition to two life sentences. While I don’t believe that because someone is a Christian they should get preferential treatment, no one should receive that harsh of a sentence for the crime he committed. While defending his girlfriend, he shot two men.  Two counts of attempted murder, but thankfully no one died. There are far worse crimes committed that receive less than half that sentence.  

I would like to ask you to take the time to read more about Jessie and consider signing his petition. Even if you’re not moved to do so, you will find his story interesting to say the least. You can find his full story under Mercy for Jessie Milo at www.change.org.