This one still moves me: My first day

It was my first day in a new group at work. The director calls all the new folks to a meeting in her conference room for an orientation and greeting. she asked that we go around the room introducing ourselves and telling something interesting about ourselves. These were all really smart professionals. What should I say about myself. I like skunks? No. Maybe prison ministry. OK. I noticed the man sitting across the table from me was a very sharp marine. I was very impressed. OK, my turn. I kept it short; just that I get to go into a prison environment and spend time with men who feel forgotten and alone. I was still nervous but at least that is over.

It now came around to this sharp marine. He looked me right in the eyes and told of his childhood without his dad, who was in prison. Of living homeless with his mom in cars or empty buildings. Of a church ministry that would help them regularly and a man who took an interest in him and encouraged him to finish school and who then helped him gain an appointment to the Marine Academy. He then looked at me and said “thank you for what you do”.

The whole room was speechless.

Blessings,

David Berryman

“Freedom is not the license to do what I want, but the strength to do what I ought.”

David has enjoyed a 40+ year career as technical support in national defense until his retirement at the end of 2023. He has also served as chaplain support in Virginia since 2011, first in the Prince William Adult Detention Center until 2019 and now at Coffeewood Correctional Facility beginning in 2021. All that along with guiding a legacy of 20+ grandchildren. David feels a deep calling to walk alongside the forgotten and rejected, helping inmates find their way back and discover their purpose.