“AAAAAGH!” “Help! Guard help!” in Spanish was shouted! It all came from the corner of that cramped prison cell! The whole cell began to get excited and concerned to see from whom the agonizing yells were coming from! “AAaaAAA!!! I’m going to die! I’m going to die!” The prisoners were now banging on the cell door! And I was right in the middle of it all.
Earlier that day I was asked, along with my teammate Colt, to join some local christian Nicaraguan brothers in going to share and encourage the local prisoners. We eagerly said yes and were shortly were on our way. I was especially excited because I had shared in two other prisons in Africa where over 50 people received Jesus as their Lord and Savior! So I was enthusiastic to see what God was going to do today.
Before we left, about 10 local guys showed up at the house we are staying in and we prayed for God to do His will and to soften hearts. I immediately respected these men who came on a work day to go share the Gospel to inmates. (I later found out they do this every week!) After that we Jumped into the back of a pick-up truck and headed out. When we arrived we walked up a few stairs through a huge metal gate into the courtyard. There, I saw a outdoor holding cell to my left and the prison to my right. Our group was split into two. In my group, Colt was with me along with a local pastor, a translator, and one other guy. We were shown to a poorly light cell where about 30 guys slept on cardboard on the floor with no air flow. A guard came and unlocked the door and ushered us in then locked it behind us then left. I thought and prayed to myself “here we go!” As I sat down I noticed plastic sacks hanging from the ceiling hold the prisoners personal and graffiti on the walls. We shook hands with them and introduced ourselves. Once settled, we sang a few worship songs is Spanish then the pastor shared the Gospel. After that, both Colt and I shared what we felt needed said then we prayed with all of them. That’s when it happened.
Over all the craziness and a bit of pushing towards the sound of screaming, I saw a man collapsed in the corner. Shouting in pain, he said in Spanish “AAaaAAA!!! I’m going to die! I’m going to die!” The next thing I saw was two of his inmates prop him on to his knees and then steadied him by holding his arms. I saw tears and pure agony on his face as he moaned. Suddenly he started shouting something again but I couldn’t understand it. All I could do was pray and I kept asking the translator what he was saying! The translator turned to me and said “He’s saying that he’s going to die and I need to pray and that he won’t let anyone help until he prays.” The pastor was telling him what to pray and then a couple of guards rushed in and dragged him into the courtyard; out of sight.
This past week, I was told that he had a heart attack but the guards didn’t call the ambulance after pulling him out, thinking it was a plot to escape. But once they saw him stop moving he was rushed to the hospital. I was also told he did receive Christ and is in good health and after being released from the hospital the judge let him go! Now that’s what I call a radical testimony!
Over the past few weeks I can’t help but still be in awe of this man. This man knows the value of what is offered to everyone. Both prisoner or free. Several question came into mind. How desperately do I need Jesus? Enough to delay physical help? How much value do I hold in my salvation? Is it worth enough to be the last thing I do? I know it is. Do you?
Luke 23:40-43
“But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
