When I first heard about this, I was shocked. How in the hell would anyone allow a convict to come live in their home with one small child and a pregnant wife? But then I knew Cubans are half crazy, so I never gave it much thought. Manny had also attended Wheaton College as a Chuck Colson scholar after being released from prison himself. The minute I spoke with Manny, it seemed as if I had known him for a million years. He was loud like me, laughed as hard as I laughed, and was also a former baseball player and convicted felon.  

My father was a giant of a man not only because he faced his economic hardships with an amazing amount of dignity, but because he was also a compassionate man.  He gave a hand to anyone whom he thought was less fortunate than us, often sacrificing food at our dinner table.  He had compassion on all who knocked at our door.  When he was not repaid for money, he would still give, he never complained.  Many times, my mother would be angry that people were stealing from him, but to him, they were not.  He would say: “How could they steal from me when I do not expect them to pay me back?” 

This is my wife's tribute to our daughter's high school senior graduation. We recognize this is a hard time for many people, and we want every senior to know that we see them and love them. We often get lost in our struggles, even though in light of our current situation, missing graduation may seem frivolous. We need to understand and acknowledge each other's difficulties. We need to love one another and serve each other. We know the class of 2020 will change the world!

At Angola, I found people that were going to die in that place yet were full of joy and knew the meaning of their lives. I discovered that they had a peace that I did not find among many in the free world. These men were in prison physically but free in spirit.

Tonight at 11:59 PM, we will end another year, and as I look at the clock, the one thing I come to realize is that 2019 will never be again. The opportunities I had and did not capitalize on will not be there any longer; the opportunities I had to correct any wrong I did are no longer available. The 365 days that made up the year 2019 will never be again.