Can you truly say to yourself that you are free. So many things in life can grip you and hold on to you; so tight is this grip that you cannot break free. Your life is bound and the more you try to struggle, the more you feel trapped. In the Chambers Dictionary it says a lot about the word FREE. It states "not bound, set at liberty, not restrained, exempt, without payment, to rid, etc."

In John's Gospel the Lord Jesus Christ talks about real freedom [John 8:32] and in verse 36 he goes on to say that "If the son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed". What are you bound to today? Each of us is born into sin. This sin is something that we have never been taught. You cannot teach a child to sin. Since the Fall in the Garden of Eden we have all been born into sin. This sin destroys our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Many are caught in the grasp of this disease and their lives are full of misery and pain. Praise God there is an answer to this bondage. Christ is that answer - it is through Christ that we experience real freedom, peace and joy. 1 have witnessed so many within the darkness of the prison cell who are indeed free, despite their dark and sinful past. My friends, you all want hope in your lives. Each day I receive mail from inmates around the world who have accepted Christ into their hearts and lives; each one talks of their past life and the bondage they were in because of sin. They have now the freedom that they longed for, in Christ. He has taken all of their past and blotted it out, never to be remembered any more. Forgiven and cleansed, set free by our Lord. This is the truth of the Gospel, that whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. As you continue through this magazine you will read of inmates who have accepted Christ. Their lives have changed and yours can too. Oh, to be free from our past. I have known this freedom for twenty years now. Look to Christ - He is the one and only answer, my dear friends.

My name is Cynthia Daly. I am 25 years old. I have been in and out of children's homes, foster homes and prison all of my life. I have always been looking for that someone to love me. At 11 years of age I walked the streets to find that special love. I ended up on heroin and crack and by the age of 14, I had a baby girl. My sister ended up adopting her. I still used drugs and still worked on the streets. Then at the age of 16, I gave birth to a little boy. I was doing well for a while until I got mixed up with old friends. Then my little boy went to live with my Mum because of my life style. It was so hard for me, so I carried on taking heroin.

I met a women called Debbie. She was nice and we could talk about anything. She started going to church and she went on to me about Jesus and his love for me. Debbie did her detox and got a chance to go to Hope House in Wales - we still kept in touch. Debbie also got me a place in Hope House, but I only lasted one day. I then came back home to Wolverhampton, back to the gear and spells in and out of prison. This is when I came to know Jesus. I started an Alpha group and started to pray. One night I said, "If you are out there Lord, show me the way". That Tuesday I went to Chapel and as I walked in, I heard Debbie's voice - she was singing in the group (Living Hope) who came to sing at the prison that day. That's when I knew that our Lord was there for me, he changed my life. I now feel like a new person, thank you Lord for my new life. Jesus died for all of my sins and every day I give thanks, because looking back he always had his hand upon my life. I should be dead now but my Lord has kept me here to serve him. I feel so good he is now in my life. I hope and pray that when someone reads this, they will see there is life after drugs and prison. Just believe, he can do so much for you.

Did you see that shooting star?, funny how it came.
You shook your head in wonder, and you gasped at the shining flame.
Have you wondered how it happens?
Have you pondered the reason why?
How it sprinkles all its diamonds, as it soars across the sky.
In the darkness of the heavens, against the blackness of the night.
Just one tiny twinkling star, shows us the majesty of flight.
A million people dreamed their dreams, as they gazed at this wonder afar
And they shared their thoughts, their lives, their loves.
As they wished on that shooting star.

His name was Bill. He has wild hair, wears a Tee-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He was brilliant, kind and very bright. He became a Christian recently while attending college. Across the street from the campus is a well dressed, very conservative church. One day Bill decides to go to church. He walks in with his usual clothes on, with wild hair and no shoes. The service has already started, so Bill looks for a seat. The church is completely packed and he cannot find a seat. By now people are starting to get a bit uncomfortable, but no-one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer to the pulpit and when he realises there are no seats, he squats down right on the carpet. By now the people are really up tight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time the Minister realises that from way at the back of the church, an Elder is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the Elder is in his eighties, has silver hair and a three piece suit - a Godly man, very elegant and dignified. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking towards this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he is about to do. How can you expect a man of his age and background to understand some college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clinking of the man's cane. All eyes are focussed on him - you cannot even hear anyone breathing. The Minister can't preach until the Elder does what he has to do. This elderly man drops his cane to the floor. With great difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone. Every one chokes up with emotion. When the Minister gains control, he says, 'What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget. Be careful how you live - you may be the only Bible some people will ever read.

I greet you in the most wonderful name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I am very happy to get this opportunity to write this testimony, my friends. My name is Andrew Sambo. I was born in Mkowa-mkowa-mohabla South Africa and I am currently serving a life sentence and 29 years on a case of murder and armed robbery.

When I was growing up my parents taught me about Jesus. My Father was a musician and taught me to play, too, at Alliance church. In 1992 I left to go and help a Ministry called "Back to God" Ministries where I helped them for a whole year. Then in '93 or '94 I became a full-time member of Destiny Foundation Congregation, where I was ministering through music together with guys like Moss and Simon Mdala and Pat Mpemyane. God was using us mightily then. However, in 1997 I got involved in gangsterism. The evil spirit just hooked me like a storm. I cannot tell, even now, how I committed terrible crimes like car theft, armed robbery and murder. I was arrested and put into Prison a bitter man.

It was then in December 2000 I received a letter from Mrs Mohale, a member of my old church back home. She encouraged me to repent and ask forgiveness from God as He could forgive my sins now how matter how big. I was Spiritually touched and was eager to change from my past beliefs to worship God again. I remembered the story of Samson in the Bible where he prayed, "Oh Lord God remember me and strengthen me." This led me to pray to God to give me strength to overcome the powers of satan. Since then I have kept my faith in the Lord. My sins were like a mountain but the Lord cleared them away. I know that Jesus cares for me and through Him everything is possible. I am full of happiness and joy. Joy and peace do not come with money or expensive cars - you need Jesus in your heart.

The years 1 am serving are just numbers now, but what matters most is that I have made peace with my Creator and I am happy. I am free of my sins and under God's protection. I always say that Jesus has made it possible for me to become a new creation and I am proud that I am born again, in Him I trust. I am a winner in the name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Romans 8:2 says, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death". Thank you Jesus for everlasting life, thank you also to my parents, Mr and Mrs Mohale for encouraging me in God's works. May the Lord God richly bless you. I was lost not knowing where to go but Jesus saved me by his Grace.

Luke 19: 10 For the son of man is come to seek out that which was lost.

Mark 2:10 But that you may know that the son of man has power on earth to forgive sins.

Mark 2:17 They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I come not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Read Jeremiah Chapter 17

1) What is a man who trusts in the Lord like?
2) What is deceitful above all things?
3) Whose throne shall the Kings and Queens sit upon?

Read the book of Ephesians.

4) What is God rich in?
5) Who has broken down the middle wall of partition?
6) What is given in measure by Christ?
7) Who should we never give place too?
8) What makes up the armour of God?

Three years ago I attended a Christian Fellowship meeting. I thought of myself as a Christian, but only in name. I was still doing drugs and had a tendency to be violent. The minister that night was a big man with a powerful presence and he told us of his past, and I thought his past was similar to mine. I thought to myself, how could someone like me truly find God? That night in my cell I prayed a simple prayer, offering my sins to the Lord and admitting that I had sinned. There were no flashing lights or voices, hut I felt shaky like a baby taking its first steps. All of a sudden everything became clearer. I was 4 years into a life sentence and in that 4 years I had never gone without drugs, or went more than two months without assaulting someone. Since that prayer three years ago 1 have not touched drugs or been involved in one fight, and on top of all that my illness has been kept under control. The staff here think I am getting better, as I am no longer the nasty, evil person I was. The doctors think the drugs are making me better, but I have been on them for the last seven years, yet my recovery is only in the last three years. I know the truth, I have been given another chance; I am a new creation. Jesus my Lord has forgiven my sins and showed me a new path. I am going to take my testimony to the estate where I grew up, where I am a well known name. I am happy I can tell them that they do not need to be in the dark, but can bask in the Glory of the Lord. Some will be skeptical, because they will not believe me at first, but I through Christ will be able to convince them that I have found Jesus, and that they can too.

"There is no answer to prayer. It's all imagination. Don't get carried away; use your own common sense. There is no life after death. When we are dead we are done for." The speaker was standing at the foot of a monument in a busy city. A large crowd listened as he tried to prove that God did not exist. He challenged anyone in the crowd to prove him wrong. A voice shouts out, "I accept the challenge". The man continues, "I was once the worst villain it was possible to find in the city. I was a drunkard, a gambler, a wife beater - yes, everything the word 'brute' implies.

My wife and child dreaded the sound of my footsteps, yet as bad as I was, and unknown to me, my wife had been praying for me for years, and she taught my child to pray. One night I went home earlier than usual and, by accident, sober. When I opened the door, my wife had just gone up the stairs to put my little girl to bed. I stood listening at the foot of the stairs. My child was praying, "Dear Lord Jesus, save my Daddy, save my Daddy". As she prayed in her simple childlike way, I heard my wife saying with a sob, "Lord Jesus, answer her prayer". I crept softly out of the house. Strange feelings came over me, and my child's prayer was ringing in my ears. Was I dear to that child? She had never known a father's love - not even a father's kiss. I cried aloud, "Lord help me, answer my child's prayer". And he did. Years have passed since then and my past sinful life has been covered under the blood of Jesus. I am now a new creature in Christ Jesus, a living testimony to direct answer to prayer." The atheist made no reply and walked away.

My friend in prison: - have you ever called upon God? He holds His hand out to you today. Do not think that you are a hopeless case - you are precious in God's sight. Our Lord tells us in Romans 10:13 that whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Do you want Peace and Joy in your life, my friend? Our Lord is standing at the door of your heart today and is knocking. Isaiah 55:6,7 says "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord and he will have compassion on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

I don't know what you are going through, but I do know that you don't have to go through it alone. There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. All you have to do is open up your heart and allow him to come in. In 1995, I was arrested and charged with first degree murder, sentenced to 30 years mandatory. Words cannot express the hurt I felt. I did not kill anyone - it was a robbery, and in the process the victim was shot. Do not look at me like that - I had a serious drug problem that had to be fed regardless of how I had to do it. Sometimes I did it through selling drugs, even stealing them. The temptation always seemed to grow more and more. I have asked the Lord to forgive me for all of my sins and He has. I have started a new life right here where I am in prison, a shining beacon.

I have accepted Jesus Christ into my heart and life, I have a 27 year old, his name is Terence. I was not a mother to him that I should have been. Our Lord has given me and my son another chance to start our relationship over. We are truly getting to know each other, all over again. We both have the Lord on our side, so who could be against us. Today is the first day of our new life and it began the moment we agreed to love each other and forgive each other. Jesus Christ can bring you through whatever you are facing at present. I have tried almost everything today, but Jesus is who he said he was, the lily of the valley, the bright and morning star, he is the living son of Almighty God. Today can be the first day of your new life. Give him your heart today, just give him your heart.

With a new year ahead of each and everyone of us, my prayer is that you will come to know and trust in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Prison walls and doors cannot, and will not stop the Grace, Mercy, Love and Forgiveness of Christ from entering into the darkness of the prison a cell. You are all in our prayers.
This prayer will help you if you want to ask Christ into your heart and life. God Bless.

"Dear Father, I know that I am a sinner and that I need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died for my sins. I am willing to turn from my sin and I now invite Jesus Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour. I am willing by God's Grace to follow and obey Christ as Lord of my life"