Above: Bhakti-lata Dasi
By Bhakti-lata Dasi
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
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 lilasbefore 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
iskconprisonministry@gmail.com
ISKCON Prison Ministry
PO Box 2676
Alachua, FL 32616