Newsletter - May, 2007

The Least of These My Brethren

May, 2007

Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." Matt. 25:40

Published by the Society of the Good Shepherd, P. O. Box 122, Amberson, PA 17210

Jose Alberto Gets His Sewing Machine

Jose Alberto Juarez

Last year, we told you about Jose Alberto Juarez, an inmate at the Comayagua State Prison. Jose has been in prison for many years, and he is in his forties. He is married and has a family, whom he supports with a shoe shop he operates out of the prison. When we visited his little shop in January of 2006, he showed us the sewing machine on which he sews the shoes he makes. The sewing machine had provided him with years of good service, but it was obviously near the end of its useful life. I told him that the Society of the Good Shepherd would buy him a new or refurbished sewing machine.

After pricing new commercial sewing machines, we decided that it would be better to go with a good refurbished one. Luis knew a man named Jesus, who operates a furniture upholstery shop. So Luis talked to Jesus to see about the possibility of buying a used commercial sewing machine from him. Jesus had a used one that he refurbished for us and sold it to the Society for $350.

Jesus’ upholstery shop

When Deborah and I were in Honduras in August of 2006, the sewing machine was ready to be picked up. So Luis, Deborah and I picked it up from Jesus’ upholstery shop and drove it to the prison, which is about a forty-minute drive from Siguatepeque. When we arrived at the prison, several of the prisoners helped to carry the sewing machine inside. Jose Alberto was overjoyed—and somewhat stunned. He admitted that he assumed we wouldn’t actually follow up on our promise.

The sewing machine

He explained that various church groups over the years had promised to get him a new sewing machine or other equipment, but had never followed up on their promises. We want to thank our readers, who made it possible for us to keep our promise on this. At the same time, I can empathize with the church groups that Jose Alberto mentioned. There are a lot of needs in Honduras, and it is easy to over commit yourself when you’re there.

Our arrangement with Jose Alberto is that the sewing machine is actually a gift to the prison. He will have the exclusive use of it while he is still in prison. He is scheduled to be released in a little over two years. When he gets out, the sewing machine will stay at the prison and will be used to help some other inmate who is supporting a family from within prison. At the same time, when Jose Alberto is released , we’ll look into the possibility of making him a loan to start his own shoe shop.

Prisoners carrying the sewing machine

In addition to the sewing machine, we had also promised the inmates that we would bring them checkers and other games when we returned. So we purchased a number of inexpensive checker sets, Uno card packs, and other games, which we brought with us to the prison. Although the cost of these games was quite small, the joy it brought the inmates was considerable. It was a small act of love on the part of our readers, but it was an act that was greatly appreciated by the men at the prison. DB

Some of the games delivered to the prison

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