TALES...LONE STAR ROAD REPORT
support groups for the families of prisoners, but also assist them with the provision of food, shelter, etc. in order to see that their physical needs are met in several places around the region (even as far as Washington State). They also are very active in the areas of chaplaincy for both the jails in the area as well as law enforcement officials. They are even pretty heavily involved in the area of substance abuse counseling.
Maples says that this diversity in his ministry enables him to do many things besides ministering in prisons. That way, in case the prisons no longer allow various ministries to come in, they will still have things to do and have a reason to exist. {I might even venture to say that he might be a very smart and practical man in doing this and in taking the approach that he did.) Maples says that he didn't originally start the ministry to set out to work in full-time ministry--he previously worked in another profession for many years before finally working for LOOPS full-time. But all of the ministry eventually evolved to where it did become a full-time endeavor for him and his wife just several years ago.
I asked him a question or two that a local like Mr. Maples might have the answer to in helping an out-of-towner like myself might need to know to get around. One tip that I found especially useful to know during my brief stay was this in regards to making local calls in the Midland/Odessa area. (I'm glad now in retrospect that I found this out BEFORE I made any local phone calls.) This might get a little confusing, so stick with me on this one and read all of what follows VERY closely. (I certainly was EXTREMELY confused and befuddled myself once I heard about it--so you're not the only one.)
Now if the number you're calling from has a 300 prefix and you're calling a 600 prefix (or vice versa), it is NOT a local call in Odessa--instead it's long distance. BUT--if one of the numbers involved (no matter whether or not it's the number you're calling from or the one you are trying to reach) is a 500 prefix, THEN it's a local call. BUT--if you're calling from a 500 prefix to someplace else in Midland to ANYWHERE else in the area, again it is NOT a local call. I know--this is very strange indeed. Even the system in Lubbock is simpler than this. Mr. Maples did inform me, though, that it was much worse in Dallas. [Thanks a lot for the help, I thought.]
Finding that my ability to
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