PRISON FRIENDS & ANSWERED PRAYERS

by AIC Timothy Espinoza

In prison, as in life, friends are important.

Some guys were talking in the gym,” Did you hear about John? (Name changed to keep his privacy.) He fell with a massive seizure! He’s in the infirmary now. That can’t be good.”

1000 thoughts crashed through his mind as he processed the news

One of John’s friends was told what had happened as the unit hustled back from the gym and rushed to the showers. 1000 thoughts crashed through his mind as he processed the news. Powerless. Welcome to prison. “Lord help me get down there to visit him!”  Though a long shot, he keeps praying. It was all he could do.

Now, each prison has its own norms and protocol concerning its Infirmary. Some allow friends to visit readily. At others, it’s nearly impossible. Unfortunately, ours is one of the latter.

“What can I do?” Johns’ friend asked himself, in the midst of his jumbled thoughts.” First things first, I’ll talk to the brass. Until then I’ll pray and hopefully a Lieutenant or captain will be outside the chow hall in the morning, and I’ll make my case to visit.”

Approached him with a determination and at least 10,000 words

Next morning, as he turned the corner by the chow hall, he saw a familiar Lieutenant. A good natured, reasonable officer, leaning against the wall. He approached him with a determination and at least 10,000 words of convincing appeals. At the Lieutenant’s acknowledgement, our man set loose a torrent of his most eloquent English. Now don’t misunderstand, the delivery wasn’t manic. It was simply, well, excited you might say, as John’s friend knew it was all on the line.

The Lieutenant seemed moved, then acquiesced to put in the request. This could easily be red tape! While not an outright failure, it wasn’t exactly an immediate escort down to the Infirmary to see his friend. Patience, faith.

Later that day the ante goes up. More news, as word has it that John got a brain tumor! Catastrophe!  More prayers,” Lord help! Make a way!”

Now, that’s about as bad as news gets, but in this prison, the story it gets even worse. According to two reliable sources, it appears our John is refusing treatment. Now what?

buzzing of prison sounds winds down to a quiet hum. More prayer – hope

Upon waking, John’s friend noticed his entire right arm was “pumped” like he’s been doing curls in his sleep. Very strange. There’s pain too. Oh well, it was time to read the Word, pray and get on with his day.

As lunch approached, our man was into Plan B. All good convicts know that prison has its own special way of making a mockery of plans, so he crafted a quiver full. As he rounded the corner leading to the chow hall, he was surprised to see the same Lieutenant that he spoke to yesterday.

Still no immediate escort and hope was being buffeted

Round two. “Remember, don’t neglect to be respectful and concise,” he thought, as he quickly made his way to him. The Lieutenant dutifully explained that he had sent in the request, and it was up to the Infirmary supervisor. Still no immediate escort and hope was being buffeted.

Back in his cell after lunch, John’s friend paced in his cell, then turned his attention to the growing inflammation in his right arm. “Hey celly, what do you think of my arm?” Showing it to his cellmate caused him immediate alarm and he declared with a doctor’s certainty, “That ain’t right man, you better go show the unit officer right now and get to the clinic.”

His fertile mind hatched even more plans to connect

An hour later, a man with a swollen arm is within 100 feet of his brain tumored friend. Praise God! Between thoughts of his own health crisis, his fertile mind hatched even more plans to connect with his pal. More prayers, “Lord lead me!”

Not knowing the clinics antiseptic environment is a decided disadvantage, he sensed he was on God’s mission now. He smiled. God would lead.

“Alright, let’s go, we’re taking you to the hospital.” Ahead was a big glass and steel door. They stepped before it and the door opened and as our special agent stepped into the new corridor, he saw an officer’s desk, cells and medical orderlies. This was no time for propriety, so he spoke loudly, “Where is my friend John? I’ve got to talk to him!” One of the orderlies nodded at him and said, “He’s in there.”

A friend in trouble found amidst the labyrinth of prison

Spinning around he peered into the cell he just happened to be in front of (what are the chances?) and began to bang on the cell door. “Get up man!” How are you doing? You alright? You need to accept treatment because people love you!” It was a hurried conversation through an Infirmary cell door, but alas, human contact had been made. A human voice expressing soul. A friend in trouble found amidst the labyrinth of prison.

“Come on we need to go!” called the officer. Reluctantly, John’s friend set off to an unknown hospital in town.

“Thank you, Lord,” he sighed as he reclined in his hospital bed. “That was all you!”

“It’s worth every blood cell coagulating,”

The test showed a DVT, a blood clot in his right bicep. “It’s worth every blood cell coagulating,” as the doctor explains it all. “I got to see my friend!”

Now, the story is longer as prison stories tend to be. John’s friend went back to the prison that night and had a longer visit with John while his treatment regimen was processed.

As of today, John remains obstinate. While his friend paces and prays and is hoping to see him again shortly. Maybe another blood clot or maybe a tumor of his own perhaps? Only God knows. When friends pray, they care not for the details, but only the end.

Angels smirk at what men in their ignorance ascribed to chance

Friends are a necessity in prison, and Jesus is the ultimate. He answers prayers in his wisdom that baffle us while knowingly, angels smirk at what men in their ignorance ascribed to chance.

Please pray for John. God knows his real name and it is he who declared,

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you. Lots of peace and not of evil, to give you a John and a hope. Then you’ll call upon me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.”   Jeremiah 29:11-13.

Pray this truth breaks through to him and God’s goodwill is done.

Now, you may be wondering who John’s good friend is. No need to tell, but let’s just say, use your own imagination.