Letters From Prison

The Gideons International places over 1,300,000 Scriptures in prisons and detention centers around the world each year. Here are two recent letters from inmates who received Christ through reading the Word of God.

From Drugs To Hope

Dear Gideons,

My name is Shannon, and I am incarcerated in Texas. I’m writing to let you know how The Gideons International is changing my life.

One day I was sitting on my bunk with nothing to do. Looking around the dorm, I saw a book, so I went to pick it up. It was the Holy Bible. I started reading in Proverbs. Another inmate noticed me reading and started talking about how his father had turned his life over to God after many years of drug abuse. I felt a tingle run down my spine and told him I could relate to his father. It was then I began to feel a calling to learn more about what the Bible had to say.

I started going to chapel. During one of the services, I met two Gideons, Doug and Kevin. They have inspired me to read more of the Bible and have taught me how to believe and worship my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thank you so much for the Bibles placed in my facility and for visiting and sharing God’s Word here since I’ve been incarcerated. I read the Bible every day—one chapter of the New Testament and one chapter of Proverbs. Reading has opened my eyes so much, knowing I don’t have to use drugs to maintain my life anymore. Now that I have found Jesus, I’ve gone from dope to hope. God bless you.

Shannon (Texas)

Edited by The Gideons International

A New Direction For Life

Dear Gideons,

My name is Wesley. I received a Gideon-placed Bible from one of your brothers who volunteers in my jail. I read it every morning and night. It has brought me more wisdom and joy than I ever expected. The words opened my heart to Jesus and I have accepted Him as my Savior.

Now I find direction for my life through Christ. I read in Galatians about dying to myself and my sins so Christ can live through me. I truly believe my flesh died here in this jail and Christ is living in me. In fact, I believe He is calling me to return to school and study Biblical ministries.

You have already given me so much by providing Bibles in my jail. I hope by my faith, I can help others find life in Christ. Thank you for your devotion.

Your brother,

Wesley (Texas)

Edited by The Gideons International