Letters from Mentees
“I’m in prison because I lost my little brother and a good friend of mine in a car accident because I had a couple of drinks. God put me in this place for some reason. I have never gotten in trouble with the law before so this is the first time I’ve been in a situation like this.
“I want to be out of here and helping others avoid the mistake I made because I know I was wrong and I want to help people who are doing the same thing I was doing. Maybe I can stop them and help to save some lives.”
Ricky
Letters from Mentees
“I’ve been in and out of the DYFS system and foster care since I was six months old. Most of my life I have been in some type of system, and I really want out of it all. I am 27 years old and haven’t been charge-free since I was 13 years old. I can only seem to last a month out on the streets. I’ve been told I have some mental health issues, because I have suicidal thoughts and have had these thoughts since 2008. Maybe it’s because of my upbringing.
“Growing up, I really didn’t have anyone in my life. My grandma and my mom were only around to collect welfare and child support checks. As soon as they received the checks, they’d disappear again until the checks came around again. I was bounced from house to house and family to family. I wish that one of those families took care of me. Instead, I was sexually assaulted when I was five years old. I still can’t get those images out of my mind, but by the grace of God, I’m still alive.
“I need help. I need a spiritual mentor because I feel lost. I need someone to help me along this journey. I’m trying to get myself onto the right path and I have the right mind to succeed, but I need some real support. I can’t do it alone. I need positive role models to help me through this – a mentor and father figure.”
Unidentified Male
Letters from Mentees
“I’ve been attending Carmen Ministries’ Bible studies for over a year. I attend church every night, because I want to have knowledge of the Bible; you have to read the Bible in order to know it. My story is a familiar one. I was generally a good kid. I did well in high school and attended one year of community college. Then, one day I gave into temptation and committed a crime. I acted out in violence against someone who humiliated me. I am very sorry for what I’ve done.
“My life changed because of this event, and I’m determined to have some good come out of this terrible deed. I’ve never had a good relationship with my biological father and our relationship continues to deteriorate.
“So I turn to you and Carmen Ministries as my spiritual mentor and father. Your love has touched me and made my heart softer because you care about me so much. You are here and you reach out to me, which is incredible. Some of us here have fathers; some don’t. But because of you, we all know that we always have a spiritual father we can turn to and count on.”
Unidentified Male
Letters from Mentees
“God has been so incredible. I just can’t believe the incredible healing and drive I’ve attained. God has done a heck of a job on me and I’m so grateful. Life will be so much better now, and I trust Him with every step I take. I know He is guiding me toward great things.
“I’m finally free from the vices that held me. Like in the story of the prodigal son, the father saw his son from afar. Why? Because he was looking for him; waiting for him. I love that my father, God, was waiting for me but never gave up on me. When I finally came, He ran and threw His arms around me.
“For me, the definition of hell is having an understanding of how much God loves you but rejecting that love, so there’s only suffering and the loss of an immeasurable amount of love. Now I just soak and bask in the infinite love of His glory. I’ve never known love such as this.
“And you, Pops, played a big part in developing my relationship with God. You taught me that there is healing for EVERY man. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Your lessons continue to carry me along.”
Mike
Letters from Mentees
“A lot of tests challenge a man of God, especially in prison. The tests draw us closer to God and show us His will. I thank Carmen Ministries and Pops. You’re never forgotten. You are always in my prayers. You’ve done amazing things for me. Stay focused!
“The Bible verse for my life:”
“As iron sharpens iron, so does a man sharpen the countenance of his brother.”
Proverbs 27:17
Vinnie
Letters from Mentees
“My name is Anthony and I continue to be a part of an elite group called the “Special Forces.” This group is for all the young men and women who have put on the full armor of God and fight to do His will. This group is not for the weak of heart, people of little faith, or doubters, but it is for those who want to press toward the mark of the higher calling.
“I wasn’t always a part of this group. Like many of you, I was caught up in the devil’s lie that I didn’t need God. “I can do it all by myself.” Boy, was I wrong! I thought I had all a teenager could have: friends, who I later found out were not my friends; women, who I really had no regard for but were only there to satisfy my physical needs; and popularity, which I later realized was only for the enemy.
“God had better plans for me. He allowed me to fall into my own lower desires and fall to a low point where I had to rely solely on Him.
“I found God on December 26, 2009 and that was the best moment of my life. Even though I was going to jail, I walked with my head high knowing God was with me each step of the way. He led me to a man named Tony Woods, a.k.a. Pops, who made me a leader of the “Special Forces.” Pops showed me how to take the burning desire I had for the world and turn it into a burning desire for God. Now I burn down Satan’s lies with Jesus’ truths. I still fall at times, but I’ve learned it’s not about being in the rain: it’s how you dance in it. And I’ve been dancing ever since!”
Anthony
