The Lord touched many lives today...
This morning, we had a special memorial service for one of the prison's civilian employees, David Kirschenbaum, who passed away unexpectedly in late February.
Because this service was in honor of Mr. Kirschenbaum, who was very well liked, many men who would never have come to a regular church service showed up. We had a packed house for our choir and worship team, and for my chaplain to minister to.
At one point, the chaplain allowed each inmate to say something about David if they wanted to. I was able to share that Mr. Kirschenbaum was one of the friendliest staff members I've ever encountered in all my years of imprisonment.
About two dozen men, out of the seventy-five who were in attendance, got up to say a few words. I saw men cry, even two I know of who are Mafia types, and who are doing multiple life sentences for gang land style killings.
I'm never surprised by the way God can touch any heart. I had a good vantage point for the entire service, as I am the doorman and greeter. This is my post each Sunday morning. I greet and embrace everyone who comes into the chapel, and I say goodbye when they leave.
As for David Kirschenbaum, he always had a kind word and a smile for everyone. It's people like him who help to dissipate some of the atmosphere of negativity that can so easily smother souls in such a place as this.
D.B.
Because this service was in honor of Mr. Kirschenbaum, who was very well liked, many men who would never have come to a regular church service showed up. We had a packed house for our choir and worship team, and for my chaplain to minister to.
At one point, the chaplain allowed each inmate to say something about David if they wanted to. I was able to share that Mr. Kirschenbaum was one of the friendliest staff members I've ever encountered in all my years of imprisonment.
About two dozen men, out of the seventy-five who were in attendance, got up to say a few words. I saw men cry, even two I know of who are Mafia types, and who are doing multiple life sentences for gang land style killings.
I'm never surprised by the way God can touch any heart. I had a good vantage point for the entire service, as I am the doorman and greeter. This is my post each Sunday morning. I greet and embrace everyone who comes into the chapel, and I say goodbye when they leave.
As for David Kirschenbaum, he always had a kind word and a smile for everyone. It's people like him who help to dissipate some of the atmosphere of negativity that can so easily smother souls in such a place as this.
D.B.