In spite of my own struggles and the difficult and disappointing situations I seem to be encountering these days, the Lord has been granting me precious opportunities to touch the lives of my peers.

     The hardships a man faces while incarcerated are many.  It's more than being confined to a cell for a certain number of hours per day.  It's more than having to eat bad quality food or being far from one's home. 

     Death, for example, is a special enemy for a prisoner. Everyone has to face death, of course. But I am referring to the passing away of a man's loved ones.

     The pain of losing a family member is by far the worst of all things.

     Just this month I've had opportunities to help two men who have suffered devastating losses.  Their grief has been clearly etched on their faces, and I don't blame them for showing it.

     One of these men has been in prison for almost thirty years.  Then came the news that his wife died suddenly, and he was not prepared.

     While another man lost his last remaining family member. His uncle, whom he was very close to, died unexpectedly from a heart attack. Now he's alone, and he told me how frightened he is to now have no one beyond these walls.

     Both of them have cried in my arms.  The men from my chapel fellowship have also been helping then to cope.  All we could do is pray for these guys and try to be there for them in their times of need and deep hurt.

David Berkowitz

April 25, 2005

(c) 2005 David Berkowitz