Editor’s Note – We heard you! We know it can be difficult to find all the information you are seeking in these updates. Our goal is to give you as much information as possible once a week, and we know that can be overwhelming. Look at it this way – there are SO MANY positive actions being taken on behalf of Elder! People around the country are working daily to get Elder released. If you can’t find the information you’re seeking, please email us at freeeldernow@gmail.com or reach out to us via our socials. 

We received a question about where to send cards and letters to Elder. The current address is:

Winn Correctional Center

Elder Nain Chavez Carranza

A#240194905

Ash A1

560 Gum Springs Road

Winnfield, LA 71438

Thanks for your patience as we all continue to work towards getting Elder released. On to this week’s update.

How Is Elder Doing?

“We didn’t know what to expect”, said Pastor Andy, as he began to tell the team about visiting Elder last week at Winn Correctional Facility. Accompanied by Pastor Beth and Mosaic Family intern, Ryan, these Alabama-based team members were able to visit with Elder twice. More observations:

• Everyone is looking out for him because he’s the youngest by 10 years at least.
• Elder showed us how he is using the cross from his rosary to tighten his braces (Yes, you read that correctly).
• The staff at Winn felt very confused. Some were nice, some weren’t.
• Elder’s English was fantastic (Teacher Carmen, another Alabama community member, has been encouraging Elder to practice his English whenever possible).
• We were treated to some incredible hospitality from team members in Tuscaloosa and in Louisiana, which was a bright spot in a hard situation.
• This is a kid, a young person who’s been waiting for months and months, who has such a resilience.

Because photos are not allowed at Winn, Pastor Andy took this photo of the backyard where our Alabama team members experienced some “extreme hospitality” from some of our Louisiana team members. Let’s hope the day when Elder can experience this beautiful view in person is not far away.

Gifts for his family. Imagine you’re detained, you’re separated from your family and community, you’re thrown into a small space with hundreds of strangers. Your life is nothing but uncertainty. You have very little, if anything to cling to. And yet, you find a way to send gifts to your family.

Some of the men who are detained at Winn take the basic supplies they have (gum wrappers and thread) and create small pieces of art. Elder was able to trade ramen noodles (purchased using his commissary funds) for a few of these pieces, and then send them to his nieces and nephews back in Alabama.

Did You Know?

Seven months. As of tomorrow, Elder will be detained for seven months.

Elder had a 2-minute phone conversation with his sister today, and he kept repeating that fact to her. Seven months.

Elder’s detention during that time has cost federal taxpayers $14,770. Want to get the attention of elected officials? Remind them that the funds used to detain Elder comes from federal taxpayer-funded contracts.

Before he was detained, Elder missed only 2 days of school, and that was to go to the orthodontist. There is no way for Elder to continue his studies while being detained. Consequently, he’ll likely have to repeat his junior year. Teachers on our team are already discussing ways to help Elder to get up to speed on his studies when he is released, and possibly make up classes through online learning.

Elder’s GoFundMe is over $5,000! This week we learned of a fellow detainee who was released from Winn. The bond he had to put up in order to be released was $20,000. There is no way to find out how much the bond will be until the hearing. This is an example of how the money donated to Elder’s GoFundMe will be used. Any leftover funds will be used towards his education. Here’s the link to Elder’s GoFundMe.

Elder’s story continues to attract attention with the media. Pastors Beth and Andy were interviewed by independent journalist Nick Valencia after their visit last week to Elder. Watch the show here.

Previous media about Elder can be found on the News and Updates page. You all are doing a great job of sharing these articles on your social media and with your communities. We know because we are seeing more sharing from new followers and accounts on social media. Thank you, and keep it up!

Our Community In Action

Democracy is in action in Alabama. As we told you in last week’s update, one Alabama constituent received a response from Rep. Robert Aderholt, Elder’s congressman. Our incredible team members turned that into the potential of a meeting with Rep. Aderholt. Team members helped Mayuri, Elder’s sister, fill out 60 pages of paperwork as requested by Rep. Aderholt’s staff, and then sent a digital copy to the congressman’s office. Notification was sent that the packet was received. If no further response comes within the next few days, our team members will stop in with a paper copy.

It would be fantastic to have other constituents in Rep. Aderholt’s district communicate with his office. Here’s an easy template to use. It is also fantastic when non-constituents of Rep. Aderholt communicate with him. You know what to do!

Mosaic Family Gadsden met again this past Tuesday to pray for Elder. This amazing community continues to take action for their fellow Alabaman.

Our next event is one week away! Whether you’re in Pennsylvania or in Alabama, join the community for a multi-state vigil and letter-writing event next Wednesday, August 5, 5:30 – 7:30 CST (6:30 – 8:30 EST). Alabama will gather at Abundant Grace United Methodist Church in Boaz, AL. Pennsylvania will gather at Messiah Lutheran Church in Downingtown, PA.

If you can’t make the evening event in Pennsylvania, Messiah Lutheran is also hosting a daylong vigil. Consider stopping by to light a candle, spend time in reflection and maybe write a letter.

Please share these great flyers for the Pennsylvania events, or check out our social media.

And here are flyers that will link to the actions you can take today to Free Elder Now.