Andy is serving a sentence of fifty years to life...
He's only 30 years old and has already been in prison for seven years. He will not get to see his first parole board until a minimum of fifty years has been served.
His story is like countless others I have heard throughout the years. While still a young man, he joined a neighborhood gang. He described himself as "wild and dumb" back then. He liked the camaraderie and the idea of what I would call a pseudo-family. While the temptation of "big money" and a sense of power propelled him along. Andy and his friends would break the law to get what they wanted.
Yes, he got a lot of money. But it didn't last long. Andy was charged with a homicide and a string of armed robberies. He also took much of the blame, although he insists he was only a follower. The court had no mercy. His days of girls, guns and cash were short-lived.
Andy came to Shawangunk only a couple of months ago after being transferred here from another facility. I've taken a liking to him. He has a young child, but is not married. He comes from a family of hard-working Latinos who've "always had to struggle" to make ends meet.
Recently, Andy started to come to some of the chapel services and has been asking questions about the Bible. I could tell he's dissatisfied with the life he's been living and regrets the bad choices that got him to prison in the first place. This is a good start.
I've no doubt that even as I write this, the Lord has His eyes on Andy. Even now, the Lord is gently knocking on the door of Andy's heart, calling his name, and asking Andy to open the door and let Him in.
D.B.
His story is like countless others I have heard throughout the years. While still a young man, he joined a neighborhood gang. He described himself as "wild and dumb" back then. He liked the camaraderie and the idea of what I would call a pseudo-family. While the temptation of "big money" and a sense of power propelled him along. Andy and his friends would break the law to get what they wanted.
Yes, he got a lot of money. But it didn't last long. Andy was charged with a homicide and a string of armed robberies. He also took much of the blame, although he insists he was only a follower. The court had no mercy. His days of girls, guns and cash were short-lived.
Andy came to Shawangunk only a couple of months ago after being transferred here from another facility. I've taken a liking to him. He has a young child, but is not married. He comes from a family of hard-working Latinos who've "always had to struggle" to make ends meet.
Recently, Andy started to come to some of the chapel services and has been asking questions about the Bible. I could tell he's dissatisfied with the life he's been living and regrets the bad choices that got him to prison in the first place. This is a good start.
I've no doubt that even as I write this, the Lord has His eyes on Andy. Even now, the Lord is gently knocking on the door of Andy's heart, calling his name, and asking Andy to open the door and let Him in.
D.B.
