Since our last reporting period, we have faced numerous obstacles to our ministry. My medical condition continues to baffle the medical community. As a result, we have been prescribed various medical appliances. As you are no doubt aware, the Department of Corrections is not supportive of anything that they consider unorthodox. First, I wore compression socks into the prison, for which I had a written doctor’s prescription, that I presented to the officer in the control center. Upon checking with the shift commander, I was informed that I had to remove them so that they might inspect my bare feet for contraband. I explained that it took my wife and me nearly 20 minutes to put them on that morning. Thus, the scheduled service time would expire before I could take them off and put them back on. I simply was informed that I should leave the facility without conducting my preaching service.
The next issue involved my AFO (ankle-foot orthotic), which I require because of my drop-foot condition. Although I had worn it into the prison on previous occasions without issue, the shift commander insisted that I have a prescription letter from my doctor in my possession before he would allow me access into the facility. I have subsequently complied. Finally, because of a recent tripping incident, I reinjured my left foot, leg, and back, making it necessary to use a cane to walk any significant distance. I am in the process of obtaining another prescription letter from my doctor to be proactive for gaining entrance into the prison.
Despite what I believe to be Satan’s ploy to get me to “retire” or quit this needful ministry, the Lord has allowed us to see a total of 48 additional offenders come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. For that I am exceedingly grateful. The world would say that it is time for me to retire, but I believe that “there is no discharge in that war.” To the best of my ability, I will strive to fulfill His calling until He calls me home to His Heaven. Please join me and continue to bombard the throne of grace on my behalf regarding this.
As the Apostle Paul stated in I Corinthians 16:9, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” However, “. . . greater is He that is in you [me], than he that is in the world.” (I John 4:4)
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In His service,
Larry Johns
Ecclesiastes 9:10