Words to build up
In the Bible, St Paul relied on writing letters. Many of his letters were sent from prison, most probably when he was at his lowest and needing the reminder that – beyond his prison bars – there was a community that cared for him.
Letters can be kept forever; folded into a pocket or filed away in a drawer – always available to re-read when needed. Today, in such a digital world, there is something special about jotting our words on paper, sealing it in an envelope and addressing it to the recipient. Letters can show us that someone cares.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we are called to ‘encourage one another and build one another up.’
Our letter writing programme, Letter Link, enables Volunteers to encourage and build up those in prison, who may otherwise have little to no support around them.
Pen-palling has been an ongoing practice for generations. Flourishing friendships can often be borne from ongoing chains of letters without the writers ever actually meeting. There is, of course, beauty in what the eye cannot see.
Letter Link has been the foundation of many friendships. With ongoing words of encouragement, our letter writers can become a strong support system for someone struggling behind bars. And these letters can often be the vital link that connects people in prison with the outside community.
Michael has been a Letter Link writer for 18 months. He shares one particularly touching story of how letter writing has built up faith for both him and his pen pal:
‘The person I write to is in jail for a long time. We hit it off together quite quickly, having some very similar interests. Together, we have been exploring his Christian faith and it is fair to say he has become more committed to Christ. This has led to increased confidence and higher levels of responsibility within the prison. He was baptised at the end of March and gave his testimony to other people in the prison. The experience of writing on Letter Link has increased my faith, too.’
Michael’s story is an inspiring example of how Letter Link can be the bridge to help people in prison reach their potential.
Letter Link enables us to support those often forgotten by society and to remind them that they are not alone. Sometimes, these letters can be the only communication that someone in prison receives. In a place of isolation and darkness, regular letters can be a source of comfort and a reminder that people in prison are valued.
There are currently many people in prison still seeking a pen pal. Has Michael’s story inspired you? Could you be the link between someone in prison and the outside world? Could you use your words to build them up and help them flourish?
If you feel the call to be a letter writer for PF, please click here to find more information and how to sign up.
This article was first published in our quarterly magazine in:sight. You can sign up to receive our free magazine by post or via email by visiting prisonfellowship.org.uk/subscribe
