Hurricane Milton is gone, and we are back to normal operation. Thankfully we were able to shop commissary this morning after the delays this week.
7:42am, I have my tea with me; most guys are gone out of the unit on the “work call”, but I stayed in to organize my room, since room inspections will be starting today, and I there is no chaplain working until mid afternoon. Today starts “Yom Kippur” for the Jewish community, so I will be busy today, learning everything I need to know to help them throughout their service.
9:05am, I walk over to medical with Mr. Rivero. He wants to check and see when was the last time he received the flu vaccine. Not only is he getting over a cold, but he was also wearing a sweater under his uniform so it would have been difficult to get his shot. The nurse told him to return during the week, so I wrote it on my calendar so I can remind him.
Arriving back in the unit, a lieutenant and officer are doing the room inspections. I head to my room and find out they already passed by, no issues were found in my room. I purposely keep as few things as possible and keep my things organized and clean on a daily basis to never come across any issues. One of my goals for release is to have received zero incident reports.
Seven minutes to eleven, and for whatever reason, they have locked down the unit. Everyone in their rooms, doors locked, once again, am grateful in situations like this to be in the Glasshouse.
I decided to lay down, and did not realize how quickly I fell asleep. After a quick nap, I was awaken by the guys in the Glasshouse saying “CHOW”. I hop out of bed, down onto the chair, before stepping onto the floor and rushing to put my shoes on, not understanding why everyone was lined up in front of my room and towards the main door. We continue on lockdown, and lunch was brought to the unit. I get to the front, grab my Styrofoam tray and head back to my room, where thankfully I can dress up my fish patty sandwich and add some taste to the macaroni that I mixed with the collar greens and some peanuts for crunch.
After lunch, I was dressed and ready to head to the chapel, but that did not happen. The compound was closed, there were no movements, so I went back to lay down and listen to some music on 89.7 FM, K-LOVE.
All of a sudden I hear the officer yelling my name from afar. I jump out of bed once again, put my shoes on, grab my water bottle, and go see the officer. I’m needed in the chapel.
Thanks to Chaplain Hostler, the Friday afternoon services were able to happen. The Muslims, and Native Americans and at 3pm, I head back to the unit for count.
Right before count clears, I call my dad to say hello, all is okay. The doors are open, and I head over to the chapel. Time to setup for the start of Yom Kippur.
I put out the sign-in sheet, move the podium to the center of the chapel as they need it to be, and place a white sheet over the altar, to give it some class. They should not be activating anything that uses electricity so I make sure to have the lights on, and I also leave the light on in the back hallway that leads to the restroom, where I also turned on the light, just in case.
Chaplain Hostler returns to the chapel with the two Rabbi volunteers that he went to escort from the front lobby, and I head back to my unit to pick up my bowl of food that Mr. Campos prepared for Mr. Rivero and I.
As the service begins, I sit with Chaplain Hostler to translate a few testimonies written by a few guys from the Christian community, who were baptized here at FCI Miami.
Services complete for the night, and we are one hour from lockdown. Arriving back at my unit, I head to the phones, call mom, and later head to my room, drop off my things, and head to the shower for a well needed cleansing.
Friday night, movie night here in the Glasshouse, not sure what is in store for us and hope I could stay awake for the most of it.
Father God, thank you for the life you have given me. Thank you for my family, and loved ones. I ask in prayer that you keep us all safe and allow us to have a new day tomorrow to continue building our relationship with You. Please don’t ever stop building my faith dear Lord, and guide me on the right path. Amen.
Eduardo L Valdes
02499-506
October 11, 2024
22:01
