We received a letter in the mail the other day from a young man we met a couple of weeks ago. His letter was so touching that both Eileen and I were moved to tears. You see he is a repeat offender, locked up at Orange County Juvenile Detention Center. And like many young men in lock-up, he grew up without a father, got involved in a gang and then things went from bad to worse. Here…let me share in his own words.
written from Orange county Juvenile hall ; april 16 2009
To Victor
Dear Victor hey man my name is Carlos. I don’t think you may remember me but im that kid in juvenile hall that told you I was suppose to go to the United States MARINE CORPS HOORAH :] Ha Ha I bet that brings memories. Well I’m writing you this letter cause you and God really spoke to me I can really relate to your life story man but I don’t like to bring up the past cause it hurts if you know what im trying to say.
But anyways I would like to tell you a little but of my life story as short as I can so I won’t take much of your time. I am an ex gang member with a mother that’s had a stroke with lupus since she was 28 I was about 6 at the time with a younger sister and an older sister and 1 older brother my ‘’dad’’ left us because my mother got ill.
Weve struggled all our lives living in garages being humiliated by my own family I also would get bullied at school but for being poor. The first time I went to juvenile hall at ten so it was hard for me to believe in the lord. Me and my older brother joined a gang at an early age my gang is now out to get me because I wanted to join the USMC.
And If your askin maybe why I wanted to be a marine so bad? Its because I want to be a man I never got any disipline from a father nor a father type model. I think the CORP will turn me into a responsible man. For some reason you really encourage me.
I get out June 1, 2009 is almost up and I really hope really “Hope’’ to see you again I really do because I would like to talk to you one on one. I currently lost a 6 month baby with a girl that lied to me about many things and that really messed up my head. I have done some things some really really bad things but losing a baby hurts even more.
People say I am evil and I have a cold heart but I don’t think so no one has ever got to know me I have never tell no one nothing and like everything in my life nothing good ever happens to me or my family like right now who knows you probably won’t read this letter or youll probly think im some kind of fool because that’s what every one calls me no one really knows me but hope I Honestly hope I can meet you again well if you read my letter that’s cool and god bless you.
Keep doing what you do because you know what it works I believe you will bring lots of people to the lord you’re a good man and if by any chance my letter means anything to you and you ask around about me don’t believe them im really a good kid they just don’t know it.
Well I ask if its not to much to ask if you can please keep me in your prayers and also my family whom I love.
May Jesus bless your heart you and all your family,
With much “ RESPECT”
Carlos
P.S I really loved your book I read it about 4 times well
Hope you write back !!
The juvenile facilities are filled with young men like Carlos. The love of God doesn’t reach every one of them, but some find the Lord in these dark places. With your help, I hope to tell my story to every “Carlos” who is locked up behind bars and locked up by the Devil. Praise God for the power of His saving love.
Please pray for Carlos and his family… and every “Carlos” in our country. And if you’d like to write Carlos a note we’ll be sure he gets it. Please share your comments or prayer requests and be certain we will be praying for you. We’d love to hear from you!
I was so touched by Carlos’ story. I also grew up very poor, and I know how hard it can be growing up. My dad was an alcoholic who was never there for us, it was very shameful for my brothers, sister, and myself. We all experience hard times growing up in one way or another, I think, but God is so Good, He can turn all the negative into positve. He can heal you Carlos from all the pain you have experienced, He can remove the negative thoughts and fill you with a great confidence that no one will ever be able to take away. Carlos, all I have to say to you is BELIEVE! God will turn your life around if you BELIEVE, let your faith in Him grow, learn His word so that it may begin to transform your heart. Jesus loves you so much. He saved me from a life of addiction, and worthlessness. You are worthy, remember that. I will be praying for you my friend.
Please send this note to Carlos.
Dear Carlos,
God will be your Father who will never leave you nor forsake you. My heart breaks for the loss of your child. I can see by reading your letter, you are a man with a soft heart and don’t EVER believe you are evil. That is a lie from the pit of hell. Jesus makes us clean, all we have to do is ask. Jesus will forgive all of our mistakes. He wants to give you a future and a hope. I am praying for you to hang tough and reach for Jesus.
In Christ’s Mighty Power,
Jennifer
Dear Carlos,
I am sorry to hear of all that you have gone through and how you have been treated. I can tell by what you wrote that you don’t have a cold heart or that you are evil. I want you to know that God loves you more than you can ever imagine, and He desires to be that Father in your life. The beautiful thing about that is if you will ask Him for His help and guidance, He is faithful to be right by your side and carry you through the hardest, darkest times in your life. He will be there for you through everything. He will wash you white as snow and turn your life around. Just imagine someone that you love very much and you would do anything for that person, well that is the way the Lord feels about you, but even more…like I said, more that you can imagine. I am praying for you brother, I can’t wait to hear the wonderful things that Jesus is going to do in your life. The Bible says to pray without stopping, talk to Jesus about everything going on in your life, whether it’s something that is upsetting you, something you need help with, something you are thankful for, or whatever it may be, but talk to HIm and allow Him to lead you and help you. He loves you and desires to help you. God bless you brother!
Carlos,
You are an inspiration to others. Continue to have FAITH and look to our Heavenly Father for all of your needs. Jeremiah 29:11 The Lord says he has a plan for all of us. God Bless
Carlos
Remember that you are never alone. What you write to Victor is recieved by many people on the outside. Many of those who hear what you are going through care about your success once your out,Get active in a Bible believing church,move away from those that will draw you back and stand on the Faith of Our powerful Savior Jesus.
If its the Marines,the Carpenters Union,any task you chose ,may God annoint you with His blessings.
Never be ashamed of where you come from. You have a powerful testimony. You can use it to glorify Christ and help others along the way,whether its as a civilian or in the military.
I will be praying for you as you near your release, that God makes your path clear to a new future. God Bless Karl
Carlos
You and your family will be in my prayers. I am going to share your testimony with my brother who is in a state prison. I know that it will touch his heart as much as it has touched mine. You keep your FAITH and always BELIEVE. God Bless You!
Carlos,
I just wanted to write and let you know that I am praying for you. I know that God brought Victor into your life so that you may know that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life…You have been saved by grace through faith..and we are all just like you Carlos. We all need a savior to forgive us, a father to teach us and a friend to walk beside us. My story is not like yours, but God in his mercy loves us each the same. Lamentations 3:58 says, “O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my life. Carlos!…the Lord has redeemed us and desires to use us for his kingdom….The work has been done friend and now all you have to do is trust Him with your life and follow Him. I believe that He wants to do great things through you. I can’t wait to see what great and mighty things God will show you. Jeremiah 33:3 says, ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Praise Him!
Your Sister in Christ,
Jennifer
Dear Carlos,
I recently read in the NLT website “Our past may handicap us, but our own decisions condemn us. Understanding family problems and dysfunctions only becomes useful if we use the knowledge to make better choices. One of the clearest examples of God’s power is shown in the life of a person who goes against the odds, and his or her environment to repent and seek God”
Growing up, I was often told that I was ugly, worthless, no one would ever want me and I’d never be anything in life. I suffered emotional and physically, abused by my very own father who was suppose to comfort me and love me unconditionally.
So reading that message really spoke to me, I used my past experiences in life as an excuse to live a life without God. I had no idea I could break the chains the enemy used to keep me in bondage with him, simply by asking Jesus Christ to come into my heart and to follow him. And how spending time with him would strengthen me and allow the love I have for him to illuminate through me so that others may see it even when I don’t.
I know now that I am beautiful, after all, I was created by God who loves me. The very same God who holds the universe in his hands.
Even the thorns have beauty, for they are a sweet reminder of the scarify of our loving savior Jesus Christ who died on the cross for you, for me, for us. He sees everything, he knows everything, even the love you have in your heart which others cannot see.
Keep up the good work Carlos, it brings great joy to my heart to see how God is changing you and the choice you made to include him in your life. Remember he loves you and your not alone. I’ll continue to keep you and your family in my prayers.
Love, your sister in Christ
Emilie
Hli, Carlos, I just wanted you to know that you are never alone as long as you know Jesus! He can and will reverse every bad thing in your life. All you have to do is read your bible, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide and instruct you. and Believe! Just have faith and believe. My husband came out of a very messed up life with motorcycle gangs and drugs and a really messed up upbringing, but I have seen Jesus do so many miracles in his life and in mine. I come from the bondage of drugs and really messed up choices, and I know that God can do anything! He will restore everything that sin has taken from you and more. I will keep you and your family in my prayers, and ask God to bless you and to strengthen you always. Just remember Jesus loves you so much He gave His life and defeated death so you can always walk and live in His Love and Victory over sin.
Love, Your sister in Christ, Kathy Cramer
Hi Carlos,
Praise the LORD for your testimony. It is a blessing to hear how the LORD is working in your life. He loves you. Jeremiah 29:11 is a wonderful verse to hold close to your heart.I heard something this weekend that I found helpful.” The resurrection of Jesus shows us that the worst thing is not the last thing”.Call on the Lord when you need Him and He promises He will be there.Stay in the Word daily and pray all the time.I am praying for you and your family.
May the LORD bless you.
Love in Christ,
Susanne
Thank you to all of you that responded to Carlos’ letter!
I will be sending your messages to him next week. Your notes will provide hope in the darkness and encouragement to him knowing he has others supporting him in his walk with Christ . Bless you!!
Hi Carlos,
Your right I don’t know you but Jesus does, He knows everything about you. He knows when you wake up and when you go to sleep. He knows your hurt and He knows your sorrows. He also knows your heart and He’s waiting for you to let Him in.
He want’s to be your Hevenly Father that will hold you in His loving arms to heal your broken heart, just like he did for Victor.
What He did in Victor’s life He can do in your life, you just have to open the door that He’s been knocking on (your heart). Carlos just think God can use you to be a warrior for him. You just have be a man after Gods own heart. Once you get into God’s word, He will teach, lead you and guide you to freedom in Him and show you how to be a man after His heart. You will never be the same again! You will have been set free!
Carlos I pray you let Jesus show you what love is; no one will ever love you the way He loves you. After all He died for you so you can have life for eternity with Him. Now that’s a Father that not only says’ He loves but He has shown you that He Loves you. Give Him your life today! Don’t live another day with out Him! Jesus want’s to use you to stop the pain in your family! Let Him do the work in you! God is waiting for you to say the words ” use me Lord, use me!”
Thousand Blessings,
Ruby