LANSDOWNE, Va., April 12, 2012—Note from Jim Liske, CEO of Prison Fellowship

April 12, 2012

Dear Friends,

For the last two weeks, since Chuck became ill at a Colson Center speaking engagement, you have eagerly watched and prayed with us through some tough hours and rejoiced with us through encouraging ones. Instead of growing weary, many of you have reached out to us, asking for more specific ways that you can pray for Chuck before God’s throne. Thank you! Your fellowship in intercession has lightened our burden and given such encouragement to the Colsons.

Although there has not been much change since our last update – Chuck continues to show progress, but he will remain in the ICU over the weekend – we want to honor your requests by giving you some concrete ways to pray.

What you can thank God for:
• Chuck is in one of the best medical centers in the country for the issues he is facing right now.
• Chuck has been able to talk to Patty and other members of his family.
• The Colsons have been blessed with safe travel to and from the hospital and their homes.
• The medical team has been overwhelmingly kind and encouraging, taking a personal interest in Chuck and his family

What you can ask God for:
• Encouragement and stamina for Patty and the entire Colson family
• Wisdom for the doctors
• That He would bless Eric Metaxas and John Stonestreet, who have graciously agreed to fill in for Chuck on BreakPoint radio broadcasts
• Encouragement and patience for Chuck – a man always on the go! – as he deals with the slow pace of improvement

Thank you again for your diligence in prayer to the Great Physician. We will keep you informed of any changes in Chuck’s condition.

Grace and peace to you,

Jim Liske

LANSDOWNE, Va., April 10, 2012—Prison Fellowship has sent out the following update on Chuck Colson's condition:

Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship and the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, continues to take slow but encouraging steps toward recovery following surgery on Saturday, March 31. The medical procedure was performed to remove a pool of clotted blood on the surface of Chuck’s brain, which was discovered when he fell ill during a speaking engagement.

Over Easter weekend, Chuck hit some important milestones. He was awake for several hours on Holy Saturday, and he was taken off the ventilator. He was also able to speak for brief periods. Showing his characteristic grace, he said, “Thank you very much,” to a nurse, even though she had to perform an uncomfortable procedure, and he also gave an affectionate greeting to Patty, his wife of more than four decades. Chuck remains listed in critical condition, and as expected, his improvements proceed at a slow pace, but his medical team reports that his vital signs are “excellent.”

Prison Fellowship CEO Jim Liske reminded all those concerned for Chuck and his family that “in situations like this, bad things happen fast and good things happen slowly,” and encouraged them to remain diligent in prayer over the weeks to come.

This was the first time in 34 years that Chuck did not spend Resurrection Sunday in prison, sharing about the risen Christ with inmates. In spite of his absence, PF staff and volunteers followed resolutely in his footsteps, celebrating Easter with two days of in-prison outreaches in New York and California under the leadership of Jim Liske and PF President Garland Hunt. Approximately 100 inmates responded to the Gospel presentations by indicating their desire to give their lives to Christ. Nine more were baptized.

Dozens of inmates at Sing Sing are planning to send “get well” cards to Chuck. (From Prison Fellowship update, April 10, 2012).