Robert & Susan Martin
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. … I know my sheep, and am known by my own….and I lay down my life for the sheep”
John 10:11, 14, 15
Dear Friends,
We have compiled the following info to help you better understand our mission field and ministry to federal inmates in Kingston.
There are 7 federal institutions with a total population of 2,630 men (at present).
Three of these institutions are centrally located together on one 800-acre site within the city limits. Nine of those acres are surrounded by high 20 foot limestone walls housing maximum and medium security inmates.
The other 4 institutions are located east and west on 700 and 600 acres of land with double perimeter fencing.
These facilities range from maximum to minimum security where some men have spent more years of their lives inside prison than outside. It’s referred to as “hard time”.
Of the 2,630 total number of inmates, we only have access to those who are willing to come to the chapel area.
We do 6 chapel services each month in 5 institutions (with a total of 130 inmates in attendance).
We do 2 chapel programs each week in 2 institutions (45 inmates).
Robert does weekly one on one visits in 3 institutions (50 inmates on a weekly rotation).
We are in each institution regularly except for Millhaven. In the past, Robert was there each week for Bible studies and one on one visits. Pray with us that this can resume.
We escort men each Sunday from a minimum institution to attend church with us (4 inmates).
Every federal inmate is assigned a 6-digit FPS# (Federal Prison System Number) followed by a letter of the alphabet. This is their identification while they are incarcerated. Thank God they are more than just a number to Him. He knows each one individually and desires for them to know Him personally!
Hopefully all these numbers/stats have been helpful to you and not confusing. Thank God none of us are a number or a statistic to Him.
He came to “seek and to save” the lost; He also said, “Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest…”
Pray with us the Spirit of God would work mightily and miraculously in the hearts of men that are lonely and lost and need to be found by the Great Shepherd who gave his life for them!
Pray for John*. He has attended the Alpha course we facilitate at his institution and now has been attending the monthly chapel services that we conduct. He is in his late 60s and has significant health issues. His brother was recently diagnosed with cancer. John desperately wants to connect with his brother before either one of them passes away. John has huge regrets in so many areas. Pray with us that the gospel would be clearly believed and received by him. Jesus Christ is the only one who can spiritually heal, restore and fill his heart and soul with peace. We see John each week on Thursday evenings.
Last week, Robert drove to Brampton to pick up Frank* and bring him back to prison after his short 3 day stay at a halfway house. This was his first step back into society after 20 years. It was successful and now he waits several months until he goes again for 8 days. He said coming to prison has saved his life; all of his siblings are dead because of their lifestyle! More importantly he has come to faith in Christ and is now seeking to help others. We pray he will seek the Lord for the choices he makes going forward once he is released.
Thank you for praying for us. They play a huge part in what God is doing. May God bless you and give you His peace and courage for each day.
Robert & Susan
