Ray Meeks, as most of you know, spent 38 years on death row and then had his sentence commuted to life without possibility of parole. He is now in Madison Correctional Institution, a faith based medium security prison where he is doing quite well.

His biggest difficulty has been that he has severe cataracts and can barely see. He has not been able to paint any longer, and he can only read emails if he is able to significantly expand the font on his tablet. He was tested for cataract surgery over a year ago, but has been waiting, waiting, and then more waiting. Well, I just got an email from Ray and he finally got cataract surgery on one eye and says his eyesight is already much better. I plan to see him in February and will find out more.

Meanwhile, Ray discovered that there is a program whereby we can send him packets of seeds and he can plant a flower garden. I am in the process (it’s a prison so it’s a multi-multi- stage process), and I am almost at the point where I can send him sealed packets of seeds. He is quite excited about this. A friend already helped him break up the sod by his dorm and he is preparing the soil.

I will visit him in early February, and by then I should have more news on both his eyesight and his plan for his garden. Thanks for all your Christmas notes to him. Catherine Cake has been scanning them and sending them to him, and he deeply appreciates hearing from you.

The support of this church brings him immeasurable joy.

Thanks to all of you,
Larry