SA CFC

Many of you already know that I have been locked up in Texas for the last 23 years. I was well over 50 years old before I even knew what it was to be someone’s friend. If I was not trying to drag you off to bed, I did not have the time of day for you. Now that is really sad, but it was also very true! You have to understand just how hard God fought for my soul. I am very much the abused child that became the abuser. I was so completely out of control that it is really remarkable that my loving God did not ever give up on me. God has shared with me every step of my recovery. The only reason I am still alive today is that God reached out and grabbed me. There just was no way that I could go on living my lifestyle without getting AIDS.

By the grace of my Living God, I was able to start the first SA group in prison back in 1984, with the help of a Catholic chaplain who agreed with me that there was a need for such a group. At that time, Texas had no help whatsoever for sex offenders. But God put it on my heart, and Roy K. sent us all the materials that we needed. For the next ten years, we had a very good group going.

Then, at the end of 1994, I was transferred to my present unit. As soon as I got here, they told me I could not start another SA group. The Chair of the SACFC asked if I would be willing to write letters and share with other inmates. I almost turned it down because I am such a poor letter writer, but God was at work in the next few years. These “12 Steps by Mail” letters became my whole life. It was what I needed and what God saw fit to give to me. As Bill W. said in the Big Book, “The more you give this program away, the more you receive back.”

I was writing about 25 other inmates on a steady basis, including three in California, three in Colorado, one in North Carolina, two in New York, four in Missouri, and eight here in Texas. I was really blessed by God in being able to write to so many people who were truly seeking ways to change themselves. Texas does not pay inmates for working. Yet, God always saw to it that I had money for postage and writing materials.

I have had a few who never returned my letters. Overall, a lot of inmates wanted to share their trip on the road of recovery. I thank God for the honor of reaching out to as many people as I was able to. Yes, I am upset by the fact that the State of Texas has cut off this work. I have to leave it in the hands of my God and see where He wants me to go next.

Just look at the last nine years! What a true blessing it has been! Instead of sitting here rotting away, I have been able to reach out and contact all these pen pals. That, alone, is almost unbelievable. You need to understand that all I have been able to do these past years has been a gift from God. I am an uneducated person. For some reason, God decided to bless me and give me a reason to stay sober, a reason to keep going on. It is nothing that I could do on my own. I believe deep in my heart that God decided to save me for some reason and that He still has something else for me. All glory goes to God.

Ed N., Texas

[Editor note: Ed N. is no longer allowed to write to other inmates. He can still write to other members.]

Sponsor By Mail

Keith reported that there are 76 members corresponding to 298 inmates in 33 states.

More members, men and women, are needed to write to inmates. If you have worked most of the Steps, have been sober for a year or more, and are willing to share your experience, strength, and hope through letter-writing, this may be for you. We have instructions and a Step guide for your use. Every letter is a lot like sharing in a meeting.

Requests to join the list of Sponsors By Mail will be funneled to Keith through SAICO, PO Box 3565, Brentwood TN 37024-3565.