A Tearful Farewell

    Good-bye to three siblings as they ran into their mothers' arm at the prison gate. Nina, 10, and her two little brothers, Tyler and Brent, cried when they came and cried when they left. Their mother had served a year for laundering. (Laundering is when you transfer or have possession of illegal money.) Grandma got 22 years for conspiracy...two years less than her son who has to serve 24 years. No parole on a drug charge. Something is wrong when murderers are being released or paroled, in many instances, less than ten years.

    Also leaving is little Norma and Dania who both came for medical treatment. Honduras bound with Jerry, son-in-law Merv, grandsons Tyler and Gabriel, Coach Scott Jones, Randy Attkisson, John Kelly and son Zachary. Jerry goes every three months to interview dozens of children that need surgery not available in their country.

    Almost instantly when five children left, two more arrived...one from Florida and one from Texas. Brothers 4- and 7-month split up with different family members and both parents split up in two different Kentucky prisons charged with insurance fraud.

    The Angel House has one dozen babies under the age of 17 months. Now that most all of them are crawling or walking, it's a pretty wild place. As of now, our volunteer girls live amongst them-but soon will be moving to the new "Mary and Martha House" which is being built by the Apostolic World of Mission Relief. I'm sure a break from the babies will be greatly appreciated. Hopefully the girls will be encouraged to stay longer. When you live and breath babies 24 hours a day and you can't even put a 500-piece puzzle together, it can make one a nervous wreck. We praise God for our committed girls who come from dozens of states and Canada to care for these babies who need love and nurturing that their mommies in prison cannot provide.

    It's been eight years since our "Born Free" ministry gave birth to caring for over 200 babies and children, up through the teen years, who had mothers in prison.

    Besides the babies, there are all age children up through young adults to age 50 with severe handicaps.

    Bedtime can be very challenging-especially with new workers being tested. Julie was one of those who came to serve and soon was tested. She quickly realized that love is not love without discipline. After a stressful day of the children testing the waters, they soon learn to love and respect those who take the time to discipline and end the day with devotions and a bedtime story.

    A cold wind is blowing, "snow threatening" rain. I'm in the second week of my treatments. I feel okay, just a little weak. Hundreds of cards and letters and prayer petitions confirm that God answers prayers. In the midst of it all, Ludovic is again tested for what appears to be reoccurring cancer-this time in his leg. Ludovic has been my mentor and inspiration.

    He has been through multiple major surgeries. He came at the age of 11 from Haiti with a softball size tumor in the roof of his mouth. He was given three months to live. That was nine years ago. A living testimony! Ludovic is a patient at St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, which is a charity hospital serving children with cancer and multiple blood diseases. They have become a second home to Ludovic.

    "For a moment" after learning I had colon cancer, my life seemed shattered. I imagined my husband bearing this load alone, as Satan would have me believe. Then God stepped in and rekindled my faith that we are never alone as long as we believe that Jesus is our comforter. I'm bouncing back with Ludovic encouraging me every time as I see the glow of Christ in his face. As for Jerry and the children, they have been so understanding and extra kind and helpful. Our teenagers jump right in and make sure supper is made when I'm unable.

    Daughter Becky, now 20, with four boys and adopting a little girl from Honduras, spends a lot of time helping me out with the extra responsibilities. I have not one reason to complain.

    I believe that the best therapy for me is to stay involved in the lives of children.

    The 70 children here are the focus of this ministry and I thrive on finding ways to generate funds to help even more children.

    Fundraising has now begun to develop 40-acres for the future of this ministry. We have been receiving memorials designated for the new restaurant. We are hoping and praying that our supporters will share our vision, sharing our desires to become self supporting. As it is, we sing every Sunday to share God's love and gain new supporters to med our daily needs. As our children mature into young adults, whether normal or challenged, we feel responsible to provide a place to train them to be responsible. A culinary arts prep school is part of the plan to teach the children here who have an interest.

    We are still seeking corporate or company sponsors to contribute to this dream and, of course, memorials. We certainly do not want to divert our regular funds which we depend on to meet our needs. Your personal estate can be a gateway to the future of the Galilean Children's Home. Pray about it and we will too!

    As Jerry and I grow older, praying to become wiser, we realize that our faith must grow also. We truly believe that God has led us all these years to direct this ministry. Without him we are nothing, and faith without works is dead.

    With all our love and appreciation,

We remain in Christ,

Jerry, Sandy Tucker and Children.

P.S. Although I am unable to answer all my letters, I read every one. God Bless you and thanks.