July 2009
 It
is always a joy to share a monthly view
from my prison cell. The thought that these
writings can go around the world is amazing.
It is even more amazing, plus it humbles
me, to think that anyone would show concern
for me after all these years of incarceration.
I am so grateful for your kind and loving
response, which I believe flows from our
God in heaven.
Most often asked question…
“What is your day
like?” My days are routine, but that
can be healthy. We’re not forced to
get out of bed, but must if we want to eat.
After breakfast, those who do not work or
go to school are free to go back to bed
or to the yard. I’m awake by 5 a.m.
for an hour of devotion and prayer before
breakfast.
With two hundred and forty
other prisoners, I live in one of five large
buildings on the yard. There are double
cells around three sides of the building,
except for forty men, who are double bunked
on the central dayroom floor. Because of
overcrowding, the gym is also filled with
men on triple bunks.
There is a one-third mile
asphalt track around a grassy yard. This
track goes in front of the five buildings,
psychiatric units, gym, dining rooms, laundry
room, medical clinic, canteen, yard office,
chapel, educational and vocational trades.
Men exercise by doing bar work, walking,
running, playing soccer, baseball, horse
shoes, basketball, volleyball, or football.
The yard is buzzing with activity.
My Prison Job…
My job is supervised from
the building where I live. I am a janitor,
but my job title is the “Facility-B
Bio-Hazard Janitor.” I was given this
job a few months ago because I fit the criteria.
I feel privileged to have this job.
The job came with training
material and personal instruction. I learned
to suit up in a “hazmat” uniform,
booties over my shoes, mask, goggles, face
shield, hood, and double gloves for my safety.
There is a locker in the building where
all the supplies are kept for the job, plus
a duffel bag filled with equipment for me
to grab when I am called to a scene.
My job hours are from 7:30
a.m. to 3:30 p.m., five days a week, but
I am on call at all times in case there
is an incident. Bio-Hazard clean-up is necessary
after fights, attempted suicides, accidents,
medical codes, etc. I feel it is another
way to serve mankind, as the Lord gives
me the compassion and ability to do it.
My Leisure Time
My days are very busy with
a variety of activities. My exercise time
includes walking, jogging, push-ups, sit-ups
etc. There is always someone eager to join
in for a time of exercise and talking. We
share about our families, recent events,
the Lord, and life in general. Our problems
seem smaller than those in the free world.
For the past year and a
half, I have been going to college by taking
correspondence courses, proctored by the
prison’s education department. I am
completing my final two courses for a B.S.
in Business Management. I came to California
in ’67 as a Senior, but I never finished
up. Now, I am finishing what I started forty-five
years ago. Lord willing, I will be graduating
in August. It is such a blessing to finally
achieve this goal.
I attend different events
in the evenings. We have a Sunday service,
which is a time of worship, with the Chaplain
sharing a word. The chapel is small, packed
full with 90 men, plus others standing outside.
On Thursday evenings, I go to the Victim’s
Awareness Offender’s Program, where
forty men attend a 12-week, 3-phase program
where men grow in their awareness of their
victim’s pain. Also, I attend a weekly
Christian 12-step meeting that focuses on
Christ in every step. There are many opportunities
for change.
My Prison Ministry
This is my fortieth year
in prison, almost thirty-five of that involved
in prison ministry. It all started in 1975,
when Christ came into my heart. After ministry
training, the Lord used me to train other
men, teach classes, lead worship, facilitate
groups, preach hundreds of sermons, and
to go around the world through Abounding
Love. The greatest ministry is still one-on-one,
man to man.
Never think that the Lord
is not using you just because you do not
have a stage. The Lord has given you the
ability to minister to everyone you meet.
As you spend time with God, staying filled
with the Spirit, He will flow out of you
like rivers of living water to affect the
lives of those around you. It may be that
you will simply listen to them, or the Lord
may have you give them a word. “For
it won’t be you doing the talking—it
will be the Spirit of your Father speaking
through you.”1
If you are not serving
the Lord Jesus Christ, this could be your
time to make that decision. This website
is filled with messages concerning a future
and a hope for those who surrender their
wills to God. The Lord says, “I know
the plans I have for you. They are plans
for good and not for disaster, to give you
a future and a hope.”2
This promise was for the descendants of
Israel, Jacob, but can pertain to all mankind,
including you. For God says, “At just
the right time, I heard you. On the day
of salvation, I helped you.”3
Won’t you receive the Lord today?
A Prayer For You ...
Dear Father in Heaven,
You know my comings and goings. You know
my beginning and my end. You do have a plan
for me, and that plan is built upon the
Rock, Jesus Christ. I thank you that I have
a hope and future because of You. I thank
you that I am, through Your will, part of
Your divine plan of salvation. Open my heart
wider Lord to do Your will and obtain the
peace which exceeds all understanding. Amen.
Scripture References:
Acknowledgement: A special thanks
to Sherry for transcribing this months view!
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