I was in Prison, and you visited me.

Happy Thanksgiving.

As we approach Thanksgiving, we are reminded of the countless blessings we have received throughout the year. This special day gives us the opportunity to reflect on God’s provision in our lives and ministries. Above all, we give thanks to the One who created us and continues to sustain us with His grace.

We are grateful to our loving Heavenly Father for His unwavering support in the work He has entrusted to us. This year, we celebrate 53 years of MEANS Volunteers Ministry, which has been faithfully serving pastors, churches, missionaries, and under-resourced communities in the Philippines. Today, we are also privileged to support Filipino missionaries serving abroad.

We are also deeply grateful to you, our faithful friends and donors, who have stood by us through the years. Some of you have supported us for 40 years, and we thank you for allowing God to use your resources to bless others.

As MEANS expression of gratitude to God, we will continue to serve a group of people dear to His heart—those in prison. In Matthew 25:36, Jesus says, “…I was in prison and you visited me.” This December, our ministry partners from various regions in the Philippines will visit those who are deprived of their liberties (PDLs)—many of whom are waiting for court hearings, while others have been incarcerated for years.

For 10 years, MEANS has supported prison ministry, visiting both male and female PDLs. Volunteers not only pray but also prepare Christmas care packages with useful items like hygiene kits, food, slippers, shirts, and books. They organize special programs, singing Christmas carols and encouraging the inmates with Bible messages.

Recently, we received exciting news from our partners: God has opened the doors for the gospel in Ormoc City Jail. The pastor of Ormoc City Baptist Church, along with two other pastors, has been granted permission to teach the Bible, and now they hold regular Bible classes and training sessions for the inmates. It’s a powerful reminder of Revelation 3, where God tells us He holds the key to open doors that no one can shut. We are witnessing God open hearts in these prisons in amazing ways.

This year, 16 jails across the Philippines—spanning Eastern and Western Visayas and Metro Manila—will be visited by our ministry partners. Many pastors, church members, and student leaders will participate in this work. We ask for your prayers as we prepare for this outreach. May God prepare the hearts of both those visiting and those in prison, that all will experience His mighty work in their midst.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.”

Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving.

For His Kingdom Building,
Lina, Carmena and Shebel &
the MEANS Volunteers Ministry