A Message from the - Director - Law - http://maxpages.com/prisonministry/Message_from_the

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The fire of love wil always burn
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Dear friend, I wil start to day with a prayer you may pray with me, a prayer for
our former Co-Founder and Director of The Dove Prison Ministry, our Friend,
our Brother. We all saw how
he was treated because he serve the Lord in following his word of Love to
those people who are lonely and condamned because they commited crimes
we not akcept. Edwin showed us how to live the love Jesus asked us to give
to our next, even them in prison, on DeathRow, maybe special them.
Do you remember the word Jesus speak:- The fresh people dont need a
doctor, the sick people need a doctor!- The sick, lonely, condemned people
who fear for their life day after day.
We saw how they ar treated, not as human beings, people who call them
self good christians, like the next pres. of the USA treat inmates worth than he
would treat a worm.
This is not right, Bus is responsible for the death of over 100 people by
signing the execution-paper, innocent or not. People died bu tha hand of Bush.

Than a man like Rev. Edwin Smith is on the area, with love, with mercy with
the holy light of love, and some people who fear the reality destroyed than the
hope he gave to people, hope of love and warm.

I understand he is tired and he need to rest, but friends, be sure he will be
back with new power, he need a rest, and we wil continue the work he started,
we lift it together now whenn he is tired.

In love, in prayer and deep, deep respect for a christian Brother who showd us all
how to handle the gospel.

-God take care of our Brother Edwin,
God, let him feel, how we all suround him with love and prayers,
Lord, let the world se that this heavy battle is not a victory for the animies
of true christian love,
but that this is the beginning of a new fight against darknes
your love will winn, bless our Brother, bless the man and woman in
the Prisons, bless us all! Amen-

I hope and pray that you also in Future will suport Dove Prison Ministry, join our work as you
did with our Brother Edwin Smith.

Thank You Edwin for your bigg job, for your love and all the hope and light you gave and
give to people arround you, I try to do it so good as you did.
And it will be because we are a bigg Family in the love of Christ.

Director of DovePrisonMinistry
Reiner Stensgaard Goldau
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You may read the background of following after this words:

I saw your post regarding the petition against my reinstatement. I am
not
surprised that the people who do not want me there can get more support
than
we can. It seems that I have become to vocal for the religious community
and
not radical enough for the abolishist community. Therefore, I have the
support of neither. I had hoped that the anti dp groups would rise up
and
show unity but apparently they talk the talk but don't walk the walk. I
have
resigned my minister position with the church and will not renew my
license
this year.
Thank you for all you have done but the people have spoken with their
silence
and the verdict is that I am not wanted at Terrell. While this is very
disappointing and discouraging to me I will move on with my life the
best I
can. I only hope that some way this killing is stopped in the future. I
am
sorry for all those I let down and even more for the few guys who did
have
confidence in my work. Please keep in touch with me as you well know my
personal situation is very stressful right now. I need to know that I
have
one friend who understands. I have unsubscribed from all the groups and
will
try to move on. I really don't know even where to begin as this love for
the
men has taken hold of me and is what drove me daily.
You can share this with anyone you like although I really don't think
people
will care one way or the other. Sorry to dump this on you after all you
have
done but I can't continue to struggle against the state and the people's
will.

Your Louisiana Dad
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if you did not allready, sign the petition for edwin at
http://www.e-thepeople.com/petition.cfm?PETID=482355
110 signatures is not enough, we need more !

I ask you, sign it, don stay with read this Site, sign the petition, and let os be strong
in our prayer for Edwin, his service, family and the inmates.

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Today, Tuesday December 19th, I made a visit to Terrell to see Jack Clark. Jack is a
very dear friend of mine who has a serious date for January 9th, 2001.
When I arrived at the main gate security I told the guard I was there for a minister visit with
Jack. She took my identification and gave me a volunteer badge. I have been given this
badge before since I was kicked out as a volunteer chaplain and didn't think anything
about it. In fact, many ministers and attorneys are given this same badge.
After my visit with Jack I told the visitation room guard I needed to go to the chaplain's office
to check on another inmate. I had been asked by a friend to check on someone who had
not written in two months. She said ok, so I walked out of visitation and to the chaplain's office.
He was not in so I immediately returned to visitation. Before I could leave Major Hester
and another office came in and told me they needed to talk to me. I was first questioned
how I got the volunteer badge. When I told them the guard at the gate gave it to me they
asked if I had asked for it. Of course I had not and told them so. They asked if I used to be
a volunteer and I said yes. Major Hester then told me to give him the badge, which I promptly did.
Then they asked me about why I went to the chaplain's office. I explained to them that I had
wanted to check on an inmate. I was then told that I was not allowed to leave the visitation
room for any reason. I apologized for the incident and assured them it would not happen again.
I walked to the main gate to leave and there was another officer waiting there. The guard who
had given me the badge told me to stand to the side and wait there. The same officers who
had questioned me in the visitation room came out and told me Warden Massey wanted to
see me. I was escorted back inside and into the warden's office.
Once again I was asked by the warden why I had the volunteers badge. I once again told him the
same thing. Then he asked if I still had it. I told him the Major had taken it from me. The warden
asked why I was there today and I told him of the visit to see Jack. I told him it was a minister visit
and that the guard at the gate had been informed of that.
Warden Massey then told me he was recommending to Warden Treon that my name be taken off
all lists and that I not be allowed back on TDCJ property at all. I asked him if it was because of me
going to the chaplain's office and he said yes. I told him I thought that was a little severe punishment
for an honest mistake and he again said he was making the recommendation.
I am now no longer allowed to visit the men at Terrell and am not sure if my mail will be allowed in.
I know they are watching my mail and any contact I have there.
In the past when these incidents have happened I have asked that people not write the prison. I am
now asking for the help and support of my friends and anyone who knows me. I have three requests
that I would like to make.

1-Anyone who visits or writes any inmate to please tell them exactly what has happened and ask
them to spread the word to all the men they know. I am sure the guards will start rumors to make
the men think bad of me and to try and cause people to not support my work.

2-Write, phone, e-mail, or fax the warden or any prison official, state official, or media contacts
you have. We must let people know what is happening at Terrell in regards to those who are
trying to help the inmates.

3-Post this message to as many lists as you are on or know of so people will know. It is not for
my benefit but for the men who are now deprived of their contact with me and through me their
contact with you.

At this time I do not know what else the state will try to do to keep me quite but I feel this was
probably a set up because of the article in USA Today and the other publicity I have gotten
since speaking out about the prison system. They will stop at nothing to silence their critics.
Jack told me a lot of the inmates had read the article and that many of the guards had seen
it and were upset by it. I am sure the warden saw it as well.
If any of you feel that because of my outspoken stance in these matters that you can not support
this work, or if you wish to be removed from my mail list, I will understand.
I am committed to seeing change made and will do whatever I can to help make it happen.
I cannot be intimidated by the system and must see this through til the end. Your prayers and
support are very much appreciated at this time.
Edwin Smith

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I am writing to let everyone know what happened on my visit to Terrell yesterday. When I
arrived on the unit I went to the chaplain's office as always to sign in. The state chaplain told me
he needed to talk to me in his office. I was then taken to the warden's office along with two of the
state chaplains where I was told that I had broken some rules of the prison. It seems that a
mother had written her son and told him that I would be trying to get him some help with his case.
Since I was mentioned in the letter by name the mail room took the letter to the chaplain who then
took it to the warden. I was told that I was not allowed to do anything but to preach to the inmates.
I was to have no contact with the family, was not to help get them financial or legal aid. Because
they found out I had been helping in every way I could they told me I would not longer be allowed
to be a chaplain. I was asked to voluntarily resign and if I did not then they would take my position
and have to do an interview on my leaving the program. That would then be placed in my file as
a negative report on my record. I resigned and then asked if I would be allowed any contact
with the inmates. I asked if I could still come on minister visits or be put on a visitor list and make
visits as a friend. They told me they will discuss it and let me know. As of now I am not able to
visit anyone. I need the support of everyone who knows the work I have been doing. As a chaplain
I was very restricted on what I could say and do and in fact knew I was placing myself in a bad
position to help. I can not walk away from someone who needs me and I will continue to do all I can.
I am no longer going to be seeking places to preach, but rather will now seek to become an
activist and a spokesman for the abolition movement. I will use my experience on the inside to
make others aware of the conditions. If you know of any group that would like to have me speak
please let me know. I also want to gain financial support so I can do this activist work full time.
There are many opportunities in Europe now but I am not in a financial position to travel to all
of them. I URGENTLY need everyone's help and support.

Edwin

Hovedrystende og trist tilpas må ve se, at Edwin Smith er blevet tvunget til at søge sin afsked
som præst og sjælesørger på Terrell Unit, dødsgangen i Texas, fordi han, udover at være
hyrde og ven for de indsatte, også var en ven og hjælp for de indsattes pårørende.
Fængselsvæsenet i USA, retsvæsenet har absolut ingen respekt for mennesket,
menneskerettighederne eller kirken. Nu har staten Texas med guvernør George Bush
i spidsen, igen vist den dobbeltmoral den højtråbende kristne menneskerettighedsforkæmper
består af.
Prisen betales af de indsatte der mister et menneske de stoler på, de pårørende der ved, at her
er der en de kan betro deres kære til!
Reiner

I want everyone to take a deep breath and whisper "thank you Jesus for prayer answered."
I had a good visit with Michael Toney this morning. I can't tell you how gratified he was by
the tremendous outpouring of support you all have shown. He said everyday he has been
receiving mail encouraging him to stay in the fight. He also had received the e mails that
you sent me to send to him. I told him we all would respect his decision since it is his life,
and he is the one having to live like he does. I also asked if he would reconsider and give
us a few months to try and get some attention to his case. Michael looked at me with tears
in his eyes and said, "How can I refuse an offer to help. I just want people to know I am
innocent and that is what hurts. I am ready to go home to be with Jesus, but I will wait and
see what develops."
People, we need to not wait until it is to late. We need everyone possible to try and get
media attention for him, legal assistance, investigative support, and your personal
encouragement to him. Let's not stop supporting him now that he has agreed to give us
time to try and help. The letter from Centurion Ministries is what had been the last straw
that pushed him to desperation. It doesn't help that he has not heard from his family in
one year. He is going to send me the address for his parents and I will attempt to help
them reconcile. Please be in prayer that God give me the words to use to help them realize
Michael needs their support.
On behalf of Michael, we both thank you all for your love and support and I know together we
can help this young man.
Edwin

Se Rev. Smith
Director Reverend Edwin Smith

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Reiner Stensgaard Goldau
Dove Prison Ministry International
Ydbyvej 184	DK - 7760 Hurup - Thy
Denmark
+45-97-407628
goldau@adslhome.dk

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Page Updated Sat Apr 7, 2001 3:01pm EDT