“Remember those who are in prison as if though you were in prison with them”
(Hebrews 13:3)
I started my family daycare business at my parent’s house. Mama and I were preparing for Monday morning for the kids to be dropped off when the phone rang. It was my god-brother, Daryl Ransom. He’d been in prison for a life sentence for murder. He’d always call to check up on the family, especially Mama. I was about twelve years old when he went to prison. He’d done it all, drugs, alcohol, pimping, banging, robbing and of course murder.
As usual, I’m always asking people if they’re alright and do they need anything. So, I asked him before he hung up if he needed anything. He said, “No. I’m good.” Two weeks later he wrote us a letter telling us he wasn’t good, and he needed help. Mama and I helped by sending him packages of decent food to eat. Years passed and Mama passed away, and by then the witch had stepped in causing damage with her witchcraft. Our finances were once again dry like the Sahara Desert. We were on the edge of losing our properties, living from paycheck to paycheck and my god-brother still needed assistance. With Mama helping financially, I had no idea how I was going to continue to provide. Everyone else left. I couldn’t abandon him because he depended on me.
So, my husband and I continued to struggle, yet put money in Daryl’s books every month, accepting his collect calls every Sunday, and filling his orders for food. Our credit cards were maxed out, but we did not give up on him. He’d distanced himself from the inside criminal activities, attending all the classes they provided to make a change. He’d attended numerous parole board meetings and each time he was denied as the devil continued to whip him with his past. Still, we continued to pray and help him, year after year.
One day, Daryl became frustrated, broke down and began to cry. He said, “Angel,” as he would call me. “I’m tired. I ain’t never gone get out of this place.” I broke down and started to cry. I said, “Not so, Daryl. The Lord will free you. You’re coming home. You repent of your sins and come back to Christ.” Daryl had converted to Islam while in prison. After that, I didn’t hear from him for three weeks. When he finally called back, he didn’t mention anything about coming back to Christ. He mentioned they wanted to transfer him to another facility, from Soledad to Tracy correctional facility.
“He started crying again. “Angel, I don’t want to go. It’s going to be just as bad there. I’m comfortable here.” I calmed him down. “Daryl,” I said. “The Lord is moving you for a reason. You’ve been denied all your life at that prison. He’s getting ready to move you from those principalities in that region. He’s getting ready to move you so he can free you. Now, stop crying, pack up, clean up your cell, give away anything that doesn’t need to come with you, and be ready to move when they say go.” He sniffled. “Yes, Ma’am.”
Then one day, I had a dream of people talking to come against this person. I didn’t know who they were talking about, only I didn’t like it, so I struck the table where they were seated. It broke in half. I began falling through, shouting, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus!” I didn’t understand the dream at the time. Two years later, Daryl came up for parole again. I wrote another character letter. I told Daryl, “Jesus is going to free you. You’re coming home.” He began crying again. He’d lost hope. The day of his parole board meeting came. They informed Daryl he was free to go! They said his good outweighed the bad. And after 33years of living in a hell hole of a prison, the Lord freed him, and he came home. But it didn’t stop there. A couple years after his release, Jesus convicted his heart. He was baptized, turned his life back over to Jesus and started his own business, The Ransom House, to help others who have been in his situation. Thank You Jesus! Who the son sets free is free indeed.
