Chocolate Cross Day 2022

Easter Celebration & ​Chocolate Cross Day @ Lancaster County Prison Brings Friendship, Eden Resort Luncheon Adds Fellowship
 
 A Christian Greeting Through the Bars
 
April 14, 2022 at 8 a.m. twenty nine Justice & Mercy volunteers, a.k.a. ‘Friends of Justice & Mercy arrived at the Lancaster County Prison to bless the inmates with a visitor. Equipped with a Christian greeting card, which explained the true meaning of Easter, Justice & Mercy, Inc. volunteers  delivered a personal greeting to every inmate right through the bars. Justice & Mercy‘s mission is to let prisoners know that God has not forgotten them and is working through the Church. ‘Friends of Justice & Mercy’ brings the message that God cares about their present situation and their future.

The ‘Friends of Justice & Mercy’ have visited the Lancaster County Prison, every year for the past 16 years. The reason for the ‘Friends of Justice & Mercy’ visitation is to let the prisoners and staff know that the Church cares, and wants to bless them with the message of hope. The distribution was great, and the Spirit of God was upon the prison, inmates, staff and the ‘Friends of Justice & Mercy’. Every ‘Friend’ felt like they made a difference in the lives of the inmates and in their own lives as well, as they refocused their perspective to meeting needs of those who feel they’ve been forgotten. Jesus said, “I was in prison”, so Justice & Mercy, Inc.  found Him among the least of these. 
 
Public Officials Spoke with Great Ideas After We Prayed for Them
 
‘Friends of Justice & Mercy’ and guests arrived at Eden Resort in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at 10 a.m. Testimonies from the Chocolate Cross Day outreach at the Lancaster County Prison was truly a blessing! Four guest speakers, included District Attorney of Lancaster County, Heather Adams; Lancaster County Warden Cheryl Steberger; Lancaster County Vice Commissioner, Joshua Parsons; and Volunteer Coordinator of the Pennsylvania Prison Society, John Hargreaves.

Having prayed for each speaker, it was amazing how the Spirit of the Lord was present as the topic of prison reform and Criminal Justice System changes being made were discussed. It is common knowledge that the system is far from perfect, but on April 14th 2022, Justice & Mercy raised the bar, in the quest for a more Godly and just system, particularly for the poor. Justice & Mercy has been called to affect public policy for good, and will continue to do so.
 
Looking for Jesus in Prison
 
Justice & Mercy, Inc.'s primary motivation is the Matthew 25:36 Project; Jesus says, “I was in prison, and you visited me”. Justice & Mercy, Inc. through the Pennsylvania Prison Society (PPS), has the right and responsibility to visit any prisoner in private throughout the State of Pennsylvania, in both County jails and State prisons. Justice & Mercy, Inc. is able to make a substantial difference in the lives of many prisoners through letters, phone calls, emails, and occasionally personal visits. Unfortunately, Justice & Mercy, Inc. does not have the resources to respond to all the requests we receive. That’s where Justice & Mercy, Inc needs your support.
                                             
Hearing Inmates Problems
 
When inmates’ problems at the prison can be solved without a personal visit, it’s much more economical. The hard work is being able to understand the problem a prisoner faces, and come up with a solution that works for the prisoner, his family, and the prison, plus the people of Pennsylvania. This requires time, equaling $100. - $1,000. per solution. There is no true justice without some mercy.

Nobody is perfect, and no one can afford to throw the first stone. Justice & Mercy, Inc. works hard for the right solution and right decision for everyone involved. Justice & Mercy, Inc. sincerely thanks you for helping us do the right thing. 
 
Tough Problems are a little Harder & Impossibilities Take a lot Longer & More Prayer
 
The tougher cases that Justice & Mercy, Inc. works on, like pre-trial alternate sentencing, helping deserving individuals receive parole and a home plan that guarantees successful reentry into society.

Next are the innocent individuals who’ve been convicted of a crime they didn’t commit, called wrongful conviction. Justice & Mercy, Inc. has served on the Innocence Commission appointed by the Senate of Pennsylvania for a three-year period. Justice & Mercy, Inc. is amazed at how many innocent people were serving a murder conviction where the exculpatory evidence proved their innocence and they've been set free.

Unfortunately, finding the truth about innocence or guilt can be lengthy and expensive process. Along with other organizations, Justice & Mercy, Inc. estimates helping 300 people get set free in Pennsylvania, through discovery of exculpatory evidence or DNA testing. This process can take 5 - 20 years since the truth is not always easy to discover.

The problem with convicting an innocent person is that the real perpetrator is still in the community and able to commit more crimes. Justice & Mercy, Inc. works at improving public policy and improving the criminal justice industry, so the right perpetrator is caught the first time. 
 
Good relationships with Public Officials are Important & Prayer is More Important
 
Sometimes your prayers are the only thing that make the difference. God still hears our prayers. An Angel who stands before the throne is offering our prayers up to God. Please keep praying and giving, as God is still on the throne.

​“And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.”
– Revelations 8:3-4

May God bless you a hundred-fold for all you do, give, and pray.
 
– Dr. Tom Zeager, President
Justice & Mercy, Inc.

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