The two women had met because Reali had killed Masse's neighbor. In an effort to be obedient to God's calling her to release the pain and bitterness over her friend's death, Masse had written a letter to Reali, who was serving a life sentence. The two began a pen-pal friendship and eventually met face to face. Driving home that day, Sydna pondered whether abortion could play a part in a women's decision to commit crimes. Several years after that initial encounter, Mrs. Masse founded Ramah International, a Christian ministry that conducts trainings in post-abortion ministry and helps individuals who have had abortions find God's healing hand.
Abortion is just a piece of the puzzle, but it's a strong piece.
We know it's a common thread. If you can take a life once, you can do it again. Myfawny Sanders, director of the Women's Pregnancy Center in Peoria, Ill., says she has never met a woman in prison who doesn't blame her incarceration partly on past abortions. I think they felt there was a need, and we've been welcomed with open arms. Looking for ways to diffuse violence in women, some prisons allow Bible studies.