our brother in prison

A has been transferred to a prison in the capital of the region and has started officially serving his 15 year sentence. He is now in the same city where his wife and 2 sons live and they are allowed to visit him occasionally. In fact, in the past few weeks was the first time they have seen each other since January, 2008. Here is the text of a report on that visit we received from a co-worker:

His wife got to see A. on Tuesday behind a glass barrier -- but only for 15 minutes. The phone/intercom they had to talk on didn't work for much of that time. She had carefully prepared what she wanted to say, but didn't have a chance to say it all. Both boys went with her. A was so surprised to see how much bigger the youngest son, I., is. He had practiced saying, "Daddy, I love you," and spoke that to him. His eldest son, N., was sick today, partly due to the stress of that prison visit experience. A. told his family "Be strong, take heart, this is God's training for me."

Please continue to pray for A. and his family. And may we all take our brother's words to heart as well. May we seek to train well with him as an athlete competes for a prize, as a soldier fights, as a farmer labors- so may we serve for our Lord's kindgom advance. And may we serve with joy. The labor, the training, the fight is worth every bit.