This is an awesome topic--thank you so much for posting.
I have a heart for those in prison and spent a considerable amount of time writing letters and visiting some of the people I wrote. It was definitely life-changing--there was one in particular whose story really grabbed my heart--this particular inmate had been offered a ride home by a teacher, but the teacher had taken him to his own (the teacher's) house instead. In the midst of the struggle, this inmate shot and killed the guy who had tried to victimize him--and received life in prison without parole. He was put into prison when he was only 17 ears old, and he was about 30 when I met him. When I first started writing him, I knew he was in for murder but I did not know his story. As I learned more, it hit me very hard--because I was once a kid in a parochial school who felt very uncomfortable going to school some days because I had a teacher with a crush on me as well.
I was able to meet this person and I will never forget how his family greeted me with open arms and tears, saying, "It means so much to us that someone on the outside would take the time to visit him."
I am currently not involved in this type of ministry anymore, but hope to get back to it someday.
I also have a strong heart for those who serve in our military, because I often wonder how they can go through what they do, see the things they have to see, be called on tour after tour, and then come home... and are expected to live normal lives and take care of their families as if nothing happened.
I also hope to be a source of "reinforcement" to those who have serve others and often forget their own needs in the process. Everyone needs support and encouragement, especially the people who are always taking care of others!