Dear PiFO Supporters,
Last week I had the opportunity to meet and speak with some of our students at the Corban extension in OSCI. What a blessing that was! I was also able to observe our students being taught by Corban professors in the classrooms that were provided for by the generosity of PiFO supporters.
One of our Sophomore students came up to me and related an incident he had with a corrections officer. This is what he said:
“A couple of weeks ago, I was approached by a corrections officer and he asked me for prayer. I felt enthused about the situation…by being seen not just as an inmate, but also as a Christian man. I told him I only know one way to pray and that I wasn’t embarrassed of the Lord. I started to pray for him right there in the hallway. When I opened my eyes, the corrections officer was crying. This touched me even more. I thanked him for allowing me to pray for him and walked away more grateful than I’ve been in a long time. Moments like these are precious. They help us see the boundaries that are being broken down in here.”
God is using our students as a catalyst for change in OSCI.
Graduating Class 2023
In 2023, God willing, we will have our first graduating class. Just imagine how these graduates will not only impact OSCI where they are presently housed but will also impact the other prisons in the Oregon DOC as they are sent out like missionaries.
This coming fall, the Oregon DOC, Corban University, and PiFO are planning to have a public “ribbon cutting” ceremony celebrating the opening of the remodeled classroom space at OSCI. This will be a chance for our supporters to visit the actual space where our students are being taught and transformed. Stay tuned for the date of this momentous event.
Thank you for your continued support for the students in the PiFO/Corban program at OSCI. This would not be possible without your prayers and financial support.
Ripple Effect Fundraiser
PiFO is still receiving funds from our Ripple Effect virtual fundraiser which happened on March 11. Our goal was $250,000.
To date, we have received over $211,000. If you were unable to attend the virtual event, you can watch the fundraiser on our website.
Ever grateful,
Tom Kohl
Executive Director and Founder
503-799-0342