Blog

16Jul
2021

Almost to this day 15 years ago…

Almost to this day 15 years ago, I wrote the first report of my full-time work in the prisons.  We had 17 individuals who had contributed to the work as of that time. By the end of that first year we had 37 supporters and currently we have over 80!  Wow!  13 of the original 17 supporters are still actively supporting the work.  That number would be even higher, but some have gone home.  At that time, we had hopes of having one transition house by the end of that year.  We met that goal.  Now, we have three transition houses!  Wow!  To see how God has used so many of you and someone who had no real experience in this kind of work is amazing.  Thank you so much for allowing me to serve in this way.  In 15 years, thousands of men have heard and rejected the gospel.  Hundreds have responded and died with Christ.  Some are still walking faithfully and serving our King.  God’s word accomplishes its purpose!

Two of our faithful supporters went home this past quarter, Barbara Leavitt and Louise Allen.  I met Barbara and her husband Burny in Ocala at an evangelism workshop in 2005 before I started working full time in the prisons.  They were interested in the work from the start because they had been teaching a class in prison.  They both became more involved in the years to come and became good friends and mentors to Missy and me.  They moved into the area for a while on two different occasions to help.  Burny at that time was in his early 90’s and would ride his motorcycle to prison to go to class with me.  He would even teach class on his own when I couldn’t be there.  Barbara was always writing men, sending courses and directing me to follow up with many men.  They both faithfully attended the Sunday service we have at Lawtey.  Barbara always encouraged the officers and the men.  The last couple of years they couldn’t be as involved, but she would still talk to men that were out and write letters.  She would call every few weeks to check up on me and the work.  They also gave financially on so many occasions.  I miss Barbara.  She would always quote Psalms 118:24 – This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.  She lived that verse.  Many men know the gospel because of Barbara and Burny.

I met Louise just a few years ago at Abe Guillermo’s funeral.  She was about 95.  Abe was working in the prisons with us and being supported by Louise.  She had been providing a van for Abe’s use and covering all the repair costs.  I didn’t know about this until I met her.  She talked to me as if we had been friends forever.  She called me and other darlin.  “Now darlin I want you to have this van so you can keep helping those men that get out of prison” she told me.  Louise became a good friend and would meet up with me and Missy at times and take us to the Ivey House in Williston.  She was such a cut up.  She would often call me and say “Now Daryl darlin, you let me know if you need any money or if that van needs to have any work done.  I want to pay for it.”  She cared that the work continue, and she was so happy to play a part in it.  She even left her family instructions to donate her car to the ministry.  A car she had still been driving at 99!  Her family graciously honored her wish.

The prisons are back as close to normal as they have been since COVID started.  We still have some limits on class sizes and are still under mask requirements.  Every inmate in the state that wanted to be vaccinated has been.  They will be receiving their second dose soon.  We have been told that all restrictions will be lifted soon after.

My shoulder rehab has continued slowly.  I am now beginning to do weighted overhead lifts.  It is sore but has responded well.