Thank You For Providing Christmas Cookies!
Written by Sparky Pritchard Friday, 15 January 2010 13:12
During the Christmas season John Corcoran, the Chaplain at the Chesterfield County Jail, asked us to bake cookies for the inmates he serves. Many of you had volunteered to be involved. Then came the snow … on the very weekend that the project was to be done! With church closings and side roads treacherous, it appeared that the inmates would not enjoy the Christmas treats. But that didn’t stop you and other Christians who were determined to share in John and Naomi’s ministry. People started networking … phoning each other … figuring out what to do. Some chose a central location where cookies could be conveniently brought so that John could pick up dozens in a single trip. Cookies were popping up everywhere!
One lady in our church made it a special time with her young daughter, and they prayed over each batch placed in the oven asking God to cause some of the inmates to come to faith in Christ as a result of this expression of God’s love from our homes. Did God hear and answer those prayers? John told me that FOUR CAME TO CHRIST at the Bible Study Class the very day when the cookies were delivered! Praise God! I’m glad a little girl and her mom prayed. I am thankful you went to the extra effort to help our Chaplain.
Better than anything I could say, here are excerpts from two letters from inmates with some 22 signatures attached.
To our extended Christian Family:
First of all, we’d like to thank God for his saints and angels that look after us on a daily basis. From the entire Christian body here at Chesterfield County Jail we’d like to thank you saints for your prayers, time spent slaving over ovens and baking us delicious desserts, and your many blessings. We truly appreciate all efforts and thoughts that reinforces God’s ultimate love for us. From the bottom of our hearts we say thank you and God bless you!
Another letter reads …
As an inmate, we have very little to look forward to while serving our sentences, and a lot of times during the holidays we tend to overlook the true meaning … It’s not that we are not thankful for what God has done for us, but we just wish to be home with our families and friends. The hands that prepared all those delicious cookies gave many of us a taste of home, and they were indeed a blessing. The sweet treats delivered our minds outside these prison walls, and allowed us to reflect on what the holiday truly meant … It gave us a reminder that someone still cares, regardless of the crimes we have committed. We want to thank you for all the feelings your holiday treats inspired … you showed us that everyone deserves to be a part of the celebration of the birth of Christ.”
From John Corcoran’s heart and from the inmates and staff of the Chesterfield County Jail, “Thank you for providing Christmas cookies! Your efforts were greatly appreciated.” Your service in the name of Christ warms my heart as well. May God bless e
