A Time of Joy?

“Merry Christmas”, “Happy Christmas”, “Joy to the World!”  It is a time of year when we expect and hope to feel joyful. A time of laughter and fun as we meet with loved ones, exchange gifts and fill up on festive food.

There is much to be joyful about but it can often feel short-lived or leave us feeling deflated, as reality doesn’t always match up with our expectations.

But imagine how much harder it must be to feel joyful when in prison. You are away from your family, perhaps dealing with the guilt of past actions and kept in poor conditions, sometimes for many years or even a lifetime.

At Integritas, we believe that Jesus Christ and his offer of forgiveness and hope can bring joy to even the deepest, darkest prison cell on earth. It is a joy that does not depend on external circumstances.

Through our work, we hope to show every prisoner that regardless of their past, they matter and they have value. They do have a reason to be joyful.

If you would like to support us in this work, please click here to donate.

We hope that whatever circumstances you find yourself in this year, you too may know this joy this Christmas season.

A Time of Plenty?

What do you think about at this time of year? Perhaps the long lists of gifts you need to buy, organising the family get together or just hunkering down and avoiding the madness.

For Christians, Christmas is when we celebrate the person of Jesus Christ coming into our world. He came and was willing to get stuck in with the painful mess of humanity. Jesus loved the unlovable. Regardless of somebody’s past He said I can help.

At Integritas, we are motivated by Jesus’ love and His example to treat our neighbour as ourselves.  We have a particular concern for the 11 million of our fellow human beings currently behind bars across the world. Many of these people are kept in terrible conditions, without adequate food or healthcare and do not know when they will next see their loved ones. Regardless of their past actions, we believe they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

Like many other charities, the pandemic has taken its toll on Integritas. We have lost many of our main sources of funding and this has directly impacted the work we are able to carry out. This festive season we are asking you to help us help those most in need across our world. Any donation will go a long way to provide healthcare to vulnerable men and women behind bars.

So perhaps this year, as it is for me, will be the first year you think about the world’s detainees, those forgotten and abandoned in unthinkable conditions. There is a great need and we can work together to show radical love to one another.

If you would like more details on partnering with Integritas please do get in touch. Any donation would be gratefully received and would make a huge impact on the work we are able to do.

Click here to donate.