>Atlanta Prison Ministry: A Request

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"To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with
the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance."

Atlanta Prison Ministry: A Request
By Bhakta Chris Matthews
Posted December 12, 2002

Hare Krishna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Thank you so much for your kindness in printing the articles we’ve submitted. The response has been great.

Now comes a time I don’t like, and this is to ask for donations. The ISKCON Atlanta prison ministry has been blessed with book donations and a number of devotees who are corresponding with inmates throughout the country.

Some of these inmates have altars in their cells and practice a strict vegetarian diet. This is no easy task, as they don’t have access to Lord Krishna's prasadam as we do. They depend on us for association and for books to be sent in.

I have been paying all these expenses out of my own pocket now for two months, confident that Krishna will send devotees willing to help us in this ministry. I have as of now not asked for one penny of material support for this ministry.

Now I have no choice. After speaking with Balabhadra dasa, our temple president in Atlanta, I come to you devotees humbly asking for donations of stamps so we can continue our work.

Until we can register for a non-profit tax-exempt status for the ministry, which would take care of postage for inmates’ book distribution, we are at a standstill.

Any devotees who would like to help bring Krishna consciousness into our nation’s prisons, please send stamps or any donations to

ISKCON Atlanta Prison Ministries
Bhakta Chris Matthews
980 South Old Sevierville Pike
Seymour TN 37865

or contact us via e mail at
matthews97@aol.com
or rene9095@aol.com
or bala108@earthlink.net. Please specify that this is for prison ministry use if you contact Balabhadra dasa

The address for the temple is
1287 S. Ponce Deleon Ave NE
Atlanta GA 30309

Telephone 404 377 8680

I pray some of you will help us to spread the message of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu into some of the nation’s darkest places.

Your servant,
Bhakta Chris Matthews
director, ISKCON Atlanta prison ministries

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