Seeds

My kids have helped me here and there. For some reason; they enjoy removing staples and creating bundles of Daily Breads. They have helped me organize new boxes into our stock. We display that stock so it is easily ready for the person searching. Kind of like the Elmwood office.

I thank God for you who share in every aspect found within the ministry. You are missed, I pray you are being renewed.

I close with this, I watch Call the Midwife, (you knew it!) and this week's episode ended with a poetic narrative around a community gathering which was lacking a garden. A nurse asks, ‘this is supposed to be a garden, where are the flowers? Sister Monica Joan then says, ‘the flowers of St. Raymond are the most beautiful flowers of the day!’ Babies newly born are then introduced, being those flowers.

As I open up these boxes of materials, these new seeds, I pray that they bloom in the hands of the individuals that will be receiving them.

Written by Chaplain Angel Hernandez, Facility Chaplain at Elmwood Men's

On March 13th, I made my last trip into our offices in the minimum yard at Elmwood, starting with a simple question, “Can I go in there and just take out some resources?”

Little did I know that these materials would become seeds of hope in the weeks to follow. 

As I was escorted in, many of the inmates that would frequent the Elmwood Jail office on the Minimum Yard, tried to come close for some answers. The deputies allowed me to briefly share that we are to be distant now and we are cooperating. We, as a group, exchanged, ‘we will be praying for you,’ and I walked away.

It is sad for me not to be there. Even now writing this down is taking extra time due to having to stop and collect myself. I think about the men and women I would see everyday. My cry for them I feel is a glimpse of the Lords cry;

I long to be close.

Our Spring newsletter was themed after a bulb being planted. I wonder if those boxes on that cart are like that bulb. Those boxes, those bulbs, are now planted in my garage. Seeds like the ones in the picture are also being found, ‘planted,’ in the garages of other staff members.

From my garage, from this new garden, I do my staff meetings and I prepare responses and materials for inmates. As I do this, I always think of those volunteers who would utilize the Elmwood office throughout the week. I miss sharing this ministry with you.