Miracles happen.  We, as Christians, claim this every day in our Bible studies, in our worship services, and in our encounters with fellow Christians.  But do we recognize when a miracle happens right before your eyes?  Reaching out to support, care for, and build relationships with those experiencing challenging times can bring about some of the most beautiful miracles you can ever behold.

Last year, All In Community assisted Four Seven Ministries in the Christmas Miracle events they provided at selected state correctional facilities.  Volunteers were recruited to help families celebrate the Christmas season with their incarcerated loved ones inside the walls of the Northeast Reintegration Center (Cleveland) and Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution (Lima).  From gift wrapping to game playing to serving meals, the volunteers helped families create beautiful memories together.  All In Community has always said that families serve time with their incarcerated loved ones.  The volunteers last year witnessed miracles all around as time stopped and families could be together, love on each other, and celebrate the holiday together.

One of our newest speakers with the Four Friends Speakers Bureau is a woman who experienced firsthand the beauty of the Christmas Miracle.  I share with you her testimony . . .

My name is Amanda Schiffer.  I was incarcerated in Ohio’s Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for 4 years.  Three of those years I was housed at NERC (Northeast Reintegration Center) in Cleveland.  I wanted to share today about my personal experience with the Christmas Miracle program.  I was graciously able to attend two years in a row: 2023 and 2024.  When you’re incarcerated you lose your entire sense of identity, including being a mother.  We were able to get visits with our children throughout the year, but they were in a very controlled setting.  With the Christmas Miracle, we were able to be a mother to our child or our children for a day.  The program allowed for us to personally hand pick gifts for each child.  We were able to personally wrap our gift ourselves.  For this day, we got to hug and hold our children.  I got to hug my mother.  We were served a great meal.  Out of my entire incarceration, the Christmas Miracle stands out as the best two days.  Our institution had so many women who qualified to participate that the event was broken up into two sessions for two days. In those two days I would watch countless women come back to the dorm in tears.  Happy tears, because they got to be a mom.  They got to give their children gifts that would be cherished forever.  My daughter Maesyn, who loves to sing, received a microphone both years she came.  She loved her gifts so much, she still plays with them to this day.  She remembers that it was a gift from mommy and loves it that much more.  On top of the time I had with my daughter, I was able to spend quality time with my parents, who cared for her while I was gone.  Not only do we miss our children, but we also miss our parents terribly too.  The Christmas Miracle provided us with professional family photos, a dinner, gifts, a gingerbread house to construct together, cookies, hot cocoa, and so much more.  I am so grateful for this program, as are countless women, men, and their children across the state.  I thank God, that at this time in my life, I have the opportunity and pleasure to participate in the program from the other side.

Questions and requests for the ZOOM link can be directed to Jami Nathan, AIC Ministries Coordinator, by email (jami.nathan.22@gmail.com) or by phone (419-591-9717). 

The Christmas Miracle is expanding to be in all ODRC facilities this year.  You can help to make these events miraculous once again.  Join Jami Nathan, All In Community Ministries Coordinator, and Kim Elliott, Executive Director with Four Seven Ministries, on Monday October 27 beginning at 7:00pm on ZOOM to learn how you can participate. Click here to sign up.

Questions and requests for the ZOOM link can be directed to Jami Nathan, AIC Ministries Coordinator, by email (jami.nathan.22@gmail.com) or by phone (419-591-9717).