Life Impact

WVM’s “Life Impact” program is designed to encourage and support the spiritual, moral, and ethical development of inmates in correctional facilities. Starting in 1995 with visits to local reformatories, for the past eight years we have been holding regular meetings in both the Grochow women’s penitentiary and the Rakowiecka men’s prison.

The main goal of our meetings in correctional institutions is to teach and demonstrate the benefits of a personal faith in God and His Word. This is accomplished primarily via discussion, testimony, and Bible study, as well as through live music and theater etc.

This project is assisted by a follow-up correspondence program, and also limited social support for inmates lacking families or friends to help meet very basic personal needs. Following are some written statements which testify to the efficacy of this particular outreach:

“I decided to write this letter to you since I want to thank you with all my heart. My name is Artur and we met at Rakowiecka at the meetings. When I was put in prison in 2007 I stopped praying, since I was mad with God. I blamed Him for what happened to me. I thought that it was tragic that one day I lost everything. It was like that until I started going to the meetings which you run with your friends - to whom I am also very grateful. At the first meeting you gave me a booklet with thoughts on life and love. You told us how you trust God and how important He is to you. I understood that it was not God that turned away from me, but it was I who turned away from Him. When I got back to my cell I started reading the booklet. You asked us during the meeting to devote our lives through a prayer on the last page to God. I did that and I started praying. I asked for forgiveness and I invited God to my heart. The same night I felt great relief. Since then good things are happening in my life. During one of the meetings I gave you a prayer request. I asked for finding my son. On 13.07.2009 something great happened: after two years I found my son! Now I also look differently at my stay in prison. In a way it saved my life. Now I talk to God everyday. I consult every decision with Him and I am ready to accept whatever He has prepared for me. I trust Him again and I am very happy about it. I am grateful to you for all of this, and to all the missionaries who come to the meetings. I will be praying that you keep doing this good work.” (Artur)

“Since the first meeting I’ve felt warmth which is with me till now. I would like to have Jesus in my heart, to understand His teaching and live honestly. Before meeting you I had many questions, like ‘How do I refrain from doing evil things? How do I get rid of anger and hatred? How do I forget bad experiences? How can I learn to love myself and others?’ Your answer was clear, “Follow Jesus and listen to Him.” I remember those words very well. The two hour meetings passed so fast. There wasn’t time to ask all the questions. I have sinned badly in my life. At one point I could not tell lies from truth, and had no remorse. Now my soul is bleeding. I want to get rid of my sins. I feel heavy, like evil is pulling me down. I want to be free and I am asking you to help me. I am ready to receive Jesus in my heart. The meetings with you are changing me for the better. I went only to two but already I feel that I am not alone. I’m reading my Bible a lot. It helps. It works. It truly is a miracle. I have already chosen my road of truth, following the teachings of Jesus.” (Urszula)

Please also see Seeker’s Haven, and Families in Crisis