Recently, Don and Cathy Allsman, missionaries with The Urban Ministry Institute visited a Muskegon prison. Their visit had a profound impact on one prisoner, Philip, who wrote to Cathy to tell her about it. This is what he wrote:
“What an honor and a blessing to hear from TUMI/World Impact brothers and sisters in general, but also and specifically to hear from you. After you and Don came to visit us in at our prison, I wanted to write because I was so amazingly inspired in a number of ways. What sticks out the most to me from the visit was your relationship. I have a number of unholy relationships with females from my old life, but over the last many months, I have witnessed three Christian couples who have changed my perspective, of which you are one.
When you two came in I could immediately sense Christ in you in a powerful way. The way I have described it to my mentor is that you were dripping with Jesus! Unmistakable! You, Cathy, were so full of joy and beaming with gentleness and genuine compassion. Rather amazing to me is that I could tell just from your little interaction with each other that you had a vibrant and powerful marriage, yet you were both visibly and effectively sold out for Christ. It is bringing tears to my eyes right now just thinking about it and the impact it has had on my life. God used the example of your marriage to rock something deep in my heart. It shook me to the core.
I intend to work in prison ministry when I get out because I understand the depravity and demoralization in this place but I also know the massive human potential that is trapped in the prisons. Men need to know who they are to God and who they can be in Christ.”
