eNewsletter Leap Month

In honor of leap year, this month's newsletter is a "leap newsletter" and you'll notice that we've combined our February and March issues into one. This was done to better align our monthly newsletter to coincide with the begining of the month rather than at the end of the month as we've done in the past. Starting in April, we will resume our monthly newsletter which will be distributed by the first week of each month. This will put us back on track with giving you timely news! We hope you are enjoying our eNewsletters!

2008 DPMN Conference

Columbus, Ohio

We're excited to announce that our 6th annual Deaf Prison Ministries Network conference this year will be held at Columbus, Ohio on October 2, 3 and 4th. This year's conference will be hosted by several local Deaf churches in Columbus. Last month, our executive director, Scott DeLoach went to Columbus to meet with Pastor Lenny Moore from Emmanuel Baptist Church of the Deaf to help launch the conference planning committee. Todd Harden, an ex-offender who was recently released after being in prison for 15 years, was appointed to be our conference chairman. We're excited to have Todd organize this year's conference as he will be able to bring a unique perspective as an ex-offender to the conference attendees.

This year's conference will include a great line up of a variety of speakers, a trip to the Ohio State Prison in Marion to meet some Deaf prisoners and a tour of the Ohio State University stadium where Pastor Moore works. The conference will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church of the Deaf with lodging provided by Holiday Inn at Ohio State University. Other local Deaf churches will also be participating to ensure that the conference will be well planned and successful!

Pray for the conference planning committee as they work together over the next few months and finalize the details of the conference. Be sure to mark your calendar for October 2, 3 and 4th and be on the look out for the conference registration details which will be announced in the June issue of our eNewsletter!

HHR Welcomes Allan and Breck


Allan Alvear	Breck Spain

Healing Hands Ranch is growing! We welcomed our 3rd and 4th residents last month. Allan Alvear was released from prison on February 1st, then a few weeks later on February 21st, Breck Spain was released from prison. Both Allan and Breck came to Healing Hands Ranch on the same day they were released. They are so grateful to be at Healing Hands Ranch after living in prison for several years. Both men have told us that if it wasn't for Healing Hands Ranch, they would have had to stay in prison until they finished their full sentence as there are no aftercare facilities for the Deaf except for Healing Hands Ranch. Had that been the case, they would have not felt "ready" to re-enter into society. HHR will be able to help them gain the confidence and skills needed in order to be better prepared for their new lives after completing their program at HHR.

Now, here's the bad news... we are now "full". This is because we've reached our staff to resident ratio in order to provide a safe environment. Our residents will live at Healing Hands Ranch from 1 to 3 years depending on how intensive their needs are to get fully prepared for re-entry into society. We have many more Deaf prisoners who want to live at Healing Hands Ranch and unfortunately, we cannot accept any more until we are able to afford to hire more staff. Please pray for us as we seek more support in order to grow more. Nevertheless, we're excited to have our 4 residents and we are definitely seeing God work wonders in their lives as they mature more each day for His glory!

Wanted: A Van!

With the recent addition of two more residents, we now have an interesting problem! Our residents are not allowed to have their own car until they are within 6 month of completing their program at HHR. This means, we need to provide transportation for our residents to their parole/probabtion visits, to church, to town so they can go shopping for personal needs and other excursions.

HHR has only one car which was graciously donated to us and we are thankful for it. Unforunately, as you can see from the picture, is not large enough to comfortably transport our four residents and three staff members. We are in great need for a van to provide suitable transportation for our residents, staff and volunteers. Your prayers and support to meet this important need would be much appreciated!

As always, we are thankful to you for your support -- you are very much appreciated! May the Lord bless you richly!

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