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 them 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