There is one particular inmate whom the Lord has put in my heart to encourage and help...
His name is Michael. He has no one. Long ago abandon by his family, Michael is doing a lengthy sentence for setting fire to a youth detention center, which caused the death of another young resident.
Michael has been a wanderer on this earth since his youth. Presently, he is assigned to the Intermediate Care Program Unit because of his emotional problems and his anger. But the Lord said to befriend him, and he really is a nice person. He's not a Christian (yet), but I feel he's getting there. I've been working one-on-one with Michael for more than a year.
This morning, he was in church which is the best place for him. We sat together as we always do when he comes. Thus far, he only comes on Sunday, but this is a start. And today he actually behaved himself. Sometimes he acts up in church and makes noises. "Lord, give me patience!"
This past Friday, however, I found Michael in the recreation yard. It was bitterly cold, and we had to keep moving to stay warm. At this time, he was in one of his moods and he lashed out at me again and again. What anger! He's really hurting inside.
I spent the afternoon talking to him about Jesus Christ. Yet in spite of the abuses I sometimes take, it will be worth it in the end to one day see Michael surrender to Christ and be "saved" from his sins and delivered from his demons. Man truly is a "sinner," but Christ is a Savior. Amen!
D.B.
Michael has been a wanderer on this earth since his youth. Presently, he is assigned to the Intermediate Care Program Unit because of his emotional problems and his anger. But the Lord said to befriend him, and he really is a nice person. He's not a Christian (yet), but I feel he's getting there. I've been working one-on-one with Michael for more than a year.
This morning, he was in church which is the best place for him. We sat together as we always do when he comes. Thus far, he only comes on Sunday, but this is a start. And today he actually behaved himself. Sometimes he acts up in church and makes noises. "Lord, give me patience!"
This past Friday, however, I found Michael in the recreation yard. It was bitterly cold, and we had to keep moving to stay warm. At this time, he was in one of his moods and he lashed out at me again and again. What anger! He's really hurting inside.
I spent the afternoon talking to him about Jesus Christ. Yet in spite of the abuses I sometimes take, it will be worth it in the end to one day see Michael surrender to Christ and be "saved" from his sins and delivered from his demons. Man truly is a "sinner," but Christ is a Savior. Amen!
D.B.