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     While reflecting on a good title to summarize the prison ministry’s activities of 2016, I was feeling a little dejected because, due to our relocating twice in a year, my service was disrupted, affecting the number of books I was able to send out in 2016. But then it dawned on me that as long as we keep endeavoring to serve Srila Prabhupada to the best of our abilities, our activities are a guaranteed success. Giving Kṛṣṇa consciousness to others can only be a victory.

     We are now back in Alachua, Florida since December and I am very happy and grateful to continue working for this wonderful preaching program for Prabhupada’s pleasure.

      I want to thank everyone who make this service possible; volunteers, donors, and well-wishers alike. I also want to say a special thank you to my husband, Mukunda prabhu, for allowing me to devote so many hours of my time to serve others. He is always encouraging me to keep going despite the obstacles and difficulties that inevitably come up while doing anything in this world.

     Foremost, I want to thank Srila Prabhupada for sacrificing so much to give everyone the opportunity of devotional service and inspiring us, in return, to give that same chance to others. What our lives would have been without his unlimited mercy is simply unthinkable.

     Please bless me so that I can remain steady in this prison ministry service for years to come.

Your grateful servant, Bhakti-lata Dasi

BOOK DISTRIBUTED IN 2016:

Prabhupada’s Books total: 1,245

Breakdown:

Magazines (10 to 50 pages): 290

Small: 442

Medium: 352

Big: 111

Maha-Big: 340 

Books by other devotee authors: 71

BTGs: 1,201

CDs: 54

MP3s: 19

DVDs: 9                                                                 

Japa Mala sets: 62

Neck Beads: 11    

Grand Total of all Books and BTGs in 2016: 2,807  

 Srila Prabhupada, ke, Jaya!!!

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APPRECIATION

By Bhakta Joseph Galesburg

     Hare Krsna Mother Bhakti-Lata, I would like to first thank you for all you have done for me. The books, magazines, encouraging words, the opportunity to correspond with Ram Tulasi dasa – everything. You have been so very helpful to me, and I cannot thank you enough. I am truly and forever blessed for having met you, and am eternally in your debt.

     I am doing my best to keep my thoughts, words, and actions functioning solely for our blessed Lord. I am chanting (stronger every day), studying Srila Prabhupada’s books, and ever seeking ways to engage others in Krsna Consciousness. I have given up entirely my TV (way too distracting and so distasteful), and seek my enjoyment in reading about the pastimes of Lord Krsna and Srila Prabhupada. I have also found a necessity in learning all that His Diving Grace has taught about eating a non-meat, non-violent diet. It seems that the best way to start conversations about Krsna Consciousness with others is by challenging our diet choices.

            I am still awaiting for the opportunity to listen to the tapes and CDs you sent, and to view the DVDs. I am absolutely ecstatic about having this great privilege given to me. As of yet, the chaplain has not made them available, but I am sure that he is working on it (he has quite a few people to tend to). I will let you know as soon as we are granted access (there are quite a few people here who are desirous of watching these DVDs).

            Thank you for sending the book Our Prabhupada. It is absolutely fantastic. I already had Prabhupada Nectar, and greatly enjoy reading about other people’s interactions with him, and now having the chance to learn of his lilas before he came to the US is simply amazing. It seems that everyone who knew him recognized how wonderful he is. It is truly my pleasure to read about him. I feel my heart break every time I think about never meeting him, but feel so intimately connected at the same time. This book is a real blessing. Thank you.

            Prabhu, I thank you and all at the IPM volunteers so very much. You have all completely changed me – gave me hope, truth through knowledge, and gave me blessed Krsna. Even this place (prison) has become a blessing. It has given me so much time to study the writings of Srila Prabhupada and offered a grand and diverse group of people to engage in conversation about Krsna Consciousness. My blessings are immeasurable and I will spend forever trying to repay my debt. I am hoping to one day be allowed to take the next steps on this incredible journey of devotional service. My prayers always include blessings for you, and for IPM. I am forever in your debt.

Your servant, Bhakta Joseph

NOTE:

  This article is just a part of IPM NEWS, our bi-monthly electronic newsletter. To read whole issues, please go to:   http://www.iskconprisonministry.org/

 If you wish to receive it in your mailbox, simply email me at iskconprisonministry@gmail.com with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.

More excerpts of inmate letters and also their artwork are available on our website at: www.iskconprisonministry.org

WANT TO HELP?

URGENT need for 2017:

We want to thank a group of devotees from Scotland who have sponsored the inmates’ Back to Godhead magazines for over a decade. Unfortunately, they cannot continue to do so and we are now urgently seeking a new sponsor for this most important aspect of the prison ministry.

The Back to Godhead magazines are a very important part of our prison ministry’s outreach. While reading BTG is an enlightening endeavor for everyone, for the inmates BTG takes on a whole new dimension. This magazine has very special place in their lives. Inmates are in seclusion from the world and, not having access to the internet, most don’t have the faintest idea of how widespread this movement really is. Most are pleasantly shocked to realize, through BTG, that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not an obscure cult practiced by a few. As they read about so many devotees, so many programs, so many facets of the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement, it dawns on them that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is a bona fide and eternal spiritual path. The reality of devotional service in practice comes alive for them. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words; the BTG’s pictures convey to them the attractive nature of service to Kṛṣṇa in a most powerful way. All of a sudden, they are no longer bhaktas practicing in isolation; they are part of a worldwide family of devotees. Also, let’s not forget to mention that in prison, each magazine is read not only by the person who receives it, but often by a dozen other inmates as well. Each magazine is eagerly passed from hand to hand, affecting everyone with Prabhupada’s magic touch.

But let the inmates tell you how important BTG is for them, in their own words:

BTG is the best magazine in the world
“Thank you very much for all the times you have helped me to receive what is to me THE best magazine in the world, I mean I have learned more now and have a clear understanding of what is going on, not only in my mind but I feel it in my soul too.”
Mark F.
Susanville, CA

BTG is Vital to Keep My Sanity in Prison
12-9-11
"I can't express how vital BTG is in helping me maintain my sanity in this environment. I set up my makeshift altar on my bed in this 50-men dormitory-style barrack almost daily, time permitting. I line up photos of my spiritual master, Their Lordships Sri-Sri Radha Nila-Madhava (from Houston) and Baladeva, Subhadra & Jagannatha (from Philadelphia). Then I lay out copies of 2-3 BTGs, opened to harinama photos or articles, BG, etc.
I rise around 1:30-2:00 am, clean up, and then start on my japa. All the men can see me do this daily, and a few ask questions or sometimes make sarcastic or crude comments behind my back. So be it. Some I can help, some are beyond help!"
Bruce K.
Pine Bluff, AR

Postcard
"Hello, prabhu, just wanted to thank you for the BTGs. They mean the world to me. Haribol! With respectful obeisances, your servant, Kalki Das"

I read and re-read every copy several times
"I received the Jan/Feb 2003 issue of Back to Godhead, which was sent to me and I wanted to write and thank you and everyone else who made it possible for me to receive a new issue.
I have been a member of ISKCON for about two years now and some of my pen pals have sent me back issues of BTG and I thoroughly enjoy the magazine. I would subscribe to the magazine, but I just don't have the funds available, so being able to receive a fresh copy is a treat. Then again, any copy I receive is new and fresh to me and I read and re-read every copy several times, before I set them out for others to read, in the hopes that maybe others will join me in the quest for Krsna realization."
Bhakta Charles

Thank you so much for mercifully ministering to me on a personal level
“I want to thank you so much for mercifully ministering to me on a personal level in the form of sending transcendental

items for my sadhana. I have received the two BTG magazines that you sent; one just recently and the other some months ago. Greatly appreciated! For when my mind is disturbed, which is quite often these days, and I cannot concentrate well enough to read a book I can always turn to BTG so as to simply look at the spiritually potent pictures, and at times, read a short article or a few captions and 'Vedic Thoughts.' Again, mata, I am certainly grateful for these wonderful gifts given in Krsna consciousness. Uplifted, as well!
Jason M.
Columbia, SC

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There are six issues of BTG per year. We need a sponsor for 240 magazines per issue. 

TOTAL per YEAR: $1,656.00 (or $138 per month)

If you called to take up this very important service, please contact Mukunda Dasa or Bhakti-lata Dasi at:

iskconprisonministry@gmail.com