A Pilgrim Prisoner’s Journal – “Faith Behind Bars: Eddie’s Journey Through Grace and Trials”

Today I will be sharing a beautiful testimony from Eddie, my brother in Christ.

First, I would like to share a bit on how Eddie and I met. 

We “ended up” on the same bus from Oklahoma and arrived here in April. But we really didn’t meet until we “ended up” in the same unit. (I say “ended up” in quotation marks, because it really was and is a divine plan).  I came to find out that Eddie is a brother in Christ and plays the drums, piano, and sings in the church. Besides other things he does.  A man of many talents.  So one day, I am walking back to the unit and say to him,” Hey Eddie, I want to play on the softball league, how does that work?  He said:’ I am going to be the orderly in charge of taking care of the field and maintaining it, and will probably be the commissioner”.  You want to work?  Well, after being in the FDC Miami building for over 3 years, I said sure, why not.  Boy, did I sign up for some modern-day slavery hahaha.   We had to work on 2 fields, mostly Eddie and I, for about 3 hours every week day, but old school style.  Shovels, rakes and a wheel barrel is pretty much all we had to use.  And try digging and flipping a whole infield of a softball field.  All for $18 USD a month. The prison system is modern day slavery people, wake up…  Well, about 2 weeks in we had 1 field ready for maintenance and the other, well that hadn’t been used in over 3-4 years, we got done a few months later, with a little help but mostly him and I. 

Well, the testimony is not about how we met, I just wanted you to know that Eddie and I by working together created a bond and he helped me by showing me the ropes of prison and I helped him in anyways that the LORD provided.  Just so you all might know; you took part in helping Eddie.  From donations we receive from everyone, we were able to make a small love offering to him at a time he was in need.  Eddie was and is very grateful for that love offering.  You might not know what it means to have someone help you when you never expect it.  Prisoners sure do…

Now, let’s get to the testimony.  Some months ago, on a day of work, everything was shut down, due to a supposed or possible contraband movement.  So, the yard was closed.  I ended up giving up that job, due to various reasons but it was closed for months, so no use in continuing.  Now, days later Eddie was found using a cell phone and that is breaking a rule in prison.  I will refrain on giving my opinion on rules and regulations and what are sins and not.  Just that, not all things that are illegal are immoral and not all things that are legal are moral.  Well, he was sent to the SHU (Special Housing Unit).  What a name huh?  You would know it as the hole.  The names the people use in this system for things sometimes makes me sick, on paper it might sound good. But in real life it isn’t all you think it is, it’s worse.  Like this prison, a so called Low II, but really it is a Medium.  Big difference. 

After 33 days, Eddie was released to the general population and returned to the unit.  But they then had him on a 2-hour watch thing that seemed to them as a great idea, basically being on probation in prison.  Sound fair?  After being punished, let’s go ahead and punish some more.   Why am I writing all of this?  I want everyone to know that this whole “democratic system” is a farce.  This is a system more like a dictatorship, not of one man, but of many.  Everyone in these defacto government agencies can make arbitrarily decisions.  I’m still getting to the good part, I have to show you all the abuse, so you can see how the LORD still can and will use difficult circumstances to be glorified in our lives. 

After over a month on the 2-hour watch, Eddie was called to sing at the graduation. He wasn’t expecting it, but because of his service to the LORD in the chapel and his testimony since he arrived here.  He was chosen to.  You see that word, “chosen”?  God had a plan from the beginning.  God knows when we will step off the path of faith, fail in life or even be persecuted for doing what is right, and He will work through it all.   So, Eddie ended up singing a song he wrote himself in the Plandemic time.  After he sang, the Warden wanted to talk to him personally.  And said “I heard every word you sang in that song.  I am going to take you off the 2-hour watch, but if you mess up again, I will call your mother personally to tell her what I will do with you.”

 Eddie was able to write the Warden with suggestions to possibly make our lives here a bit better.  He also was able to be a witness not only to all the inmates that day but to the Warden and the majority of the staff at this prison.  God used a difficult time that Eddie had to go through to be glorified in his life.  We don’t want to go through struggles in life because it’s hard, it hurts.  But what if it is for His glory, would you say:  Yes, LORD here I am?  I have gone through over 4 years of some very hard times and knowing that I am doing it for His name’s sake.  Does it make it any easier?  No, not at all. It only gives meaning to my suffering.  Don’t get me wrong people, I wrestle with God all the time and fight with Him. Like Jacob/Israel saying” Where is my blessing LORD?  I tend to forget sometimes how so many blessings He has given me in my life and continues to.  It’s just that the one I long for, to be with my family and to be justified for my stand for what is right, seems to always be delayed.  It is frustrating for sure.  Why do the wicked prosper LORD?  

I want you all to understand that although the LORD’s will is being done in my life and the lives of others, that doesn’t mean that we will not suffer. Actually, the opposite is true, you will suffer. That is our calling…  So, all this prosperity gospel most preachers speak of, worldly prosperity that is. That isn’t a true believer calling and if we do prosper it isn’t for us but for the LORD’s Kingdom.  I believe true prosperity in the Kingdom of God is bringing more people to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.  And it comes with a cost, it will cost you your whole life.   Those that will push on and do this work, are genuine and true believers living their lives by faith in Jesus Christ. 

Eddie, although not perfect himself. Isn’t alone.  He does have the Almighty God with him and when he falls, he is picked up by our LORD Jesus Christ.  The key is to trust God and never give up, press on people. Lets Go!!!  You will see the victory in your life.  Do what Eddie did, never give up and trust God to use you no matter what happens in your life. 

David

A Pilgrim prisoner

NOTE: P.S. from Bishop Grenon:, I’m reaching out to ask for your help for Brother Green. As many of you know, he has been a tremendous blessing to our family, and now he is experiencing a financial need. He must raise $1,400 by the end of this month. When I spoke to him about it, he humbly said, “Don’t worry about it, God will work it out.” Let’s show him some Godly love and help him meet this crucial need. You can send donations to Brother Green’s PayPal at dick.g9@gmail.com or contact Brother Green directly to arrange a donation. God Bless!

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