How to write a friend who is now a prisoner

[Kalli]

I have friend from school (We're 23 now), and he's in jail, fixing to serve a life sentence most likely. His crime was horrible, and yet from a friend of ours who is a cop and believes that justice should be served, is saying that he believes our friend did the crime while on drugs. I know he's a user and he's also a very nice guy. I saw him about 6 months ago and he hugged me and asked me and my dad what was going on and stuff. I really feel bad because everyone is calling him a monster, and while, it's true, he is still my friend, and while he may not be the guy I knew, I still would like to write him and tell him that I'm praying for him and give him the plan of salvation, and show him that God can change anyone from Moses who murdered someone, to Paul. I just don't know really how to start it out. I feel conflicted but I know God is wanting me to do this and I don't seek credit or sympathy for it.
I appreciate any advice.

Blessin's,
Kalli Wahls-House, youth leader, spiritual support at a drug/alcohol rehabilitation center on Sundays, devotional writer, and a lover of all things fast.

 

[bsd31]

I have friend from school (We're 23 now), and he's in jail, fixing to serve a life sentence most likely. His crime was horrible, and yet from a friend of ours who is a cop and believes that justice should be served, is saying that he believes our friend did the crime while on drugs. I know he's a user and he's also a very nice guy. I saw him about 6 months ago and he hugged me and asked me and my dad what was going on and stuff. I really feel bad because everyone is calling him a monster, and while, it's true, he is still my friend, and while he may not be the guy I knew, I still would like to write him and tell him that I'm praying for him and give him the plan of salvation, and show him that God can change anyone from Moses who murdered someone, to Paul. I just don't know really how to start it out. I feel conflicted but I know God is wanting me to do this and I don't seek credit or sympathy for it.
I appreciate any advice.

Blessin's,
Kalli Wahls-House, youth leader, spiritual support at a drug/alcohol rehabilitation center on Sundays, devotional writer, and a lover of all things fast.

You have to look at your friend not as he is in his current state and not in light of what he has done, but in light of what God sees and who God wants him to become. That's the starting point. Because if you can't look past his crime, whatever it might have been, you can't minister to him.

You have to change your whole attitude towards him. "everyone is calling him a monster, and while, it's true..." God doesn't create monsters. So stop telling yourself and everyone else that he is a monster. He did something horrible, but that doesn't make him a monster and it certainly doesn't make him beyond the grace of God. Remember your words have power, even written words.

As far as how to start just pour your heart out. Be entirely transparent. Be vulnerable (but not foolishly so). Be honest. You need to make a connection with him and if he's just settling into a life in prison that is going to be hard. I guess I'd say show him love in accordance with the love God has shown you and not in accordance with his deed. If that makes any sense...

 

[Kalli]

You have to change your whole attitude towards him. "everyone is calling him a monster, and while, it's true...

I shouldn't have said that, as now I see the impact it could have. I do not think of him a monster, just the act. I really know this guy is a good guy and in need of a Savior. I do not like people who judge sins, and I'm truly sorry it came off this way, it's just still hard to process sometimes. I've also got a criminal case that happened within my family (unrelated), but have yet to write the accused. I'm hoping God will give me the strength. I just want to let the friend know that I care about him as a friend and as a Christian. I don't want to come off too strong with the gospel and am trying to present it to him as "Moses and Paul both were murderers and God saved their soul. Rahab was a prostitute, God saved her soul." something along that line. I don't really want to bring out his crime but a lot of people especially criminals, addicts, etc, do not think they are worthy of God's love and I want to show him that God does love him. I deal with addicts weekly and see the hurt in their eyes when we ask them if they want to come to church (in their facility), we politely tell them, "I haven't been where you've been, but I understand." My dad is a recovered drug addict and alcoholic, been saved for 17 years and pastoring for 4. It's amazing what God can do, and I know that, and have a heart for those who are hurting, lonely, and misunderstood.

Blessin's
Kalli