That’s right, today was my second time behind bars…in a Filipino prison…and I loved every second of it. A group of us have been blessed with an open door from the Lord to go and do prison visits for the whole month that we’re here in the Philippines. It is only because of the Lord’s favour that we are there. It’s shocking how easily the guards let us in, without even searching us or anything! So two times a week a group of 5 or so Americans get to see what life is like behind bars. I’ve been so surprised at what we’ve found.
The guards open up the door for us, and in we go, into a cell that is shared by 68 women. The living conditions are cramped and sweltering in the tropics, and the women lay on wooden planks for beds. There are bunk beds piled three high, and the women on the top bunks have to crouch so as not to hit their heads on the ceiling. When we enter, the place errupts in talking and sometimes applause! From the first minute we got there, we were accepted and welcomed with handshakes and hugs. These women are not the beaten down, self-pitying types. They are strong and surprisingly friendly and accepting.
I was prepared for blank stares, harsh words, and inpenetrable walls around their hearts. What I have seen is a group of women who are holding on to the one thing that helps them get up in the morning…their relationship with Jesus. On our first visit they were so eager to sing worhsip songs with us and teach us some of their favorites. My personal favorite has been “Shake your body, hallelujah!” The joy of the Lord fills that place and you almost forget where you are. I just go to love on them and to get to know their stories. They are always excited to share their family pictures with me and talk about the families they have on the outside. You can see the pride in their eyes when they talk about their children.
Today was a bit different. We brought them all some books, one for each of them, because boredom is an obvious issue there. They are all awaiting trial, and they want something to keep their minds off of the possible outcomes. We brought them books about the Lord, and they were so excited. Most of them have Bibles already, which is awesome. After the books were handed out, the guard opened the cell door and everyone filed out into the lobby and we had praise and worship! We all stood there, Americans and Filipino prisoners alike, thanking God for being amazing and for loving us. Then Gina started to talk about the meaning of salvation. Half way through, I got this yearning to just speak about the Lord and my love for Him. Thankfully Gina told me to go for it, and I ended up talking for awhile! The Lord had overwhelmed me with His love for these women, my sisters in bondage. To be honest, I’m not sure I remember everything I said, but that’s how I like it! There is a hunger in those women for truth like I haven’t seen in a long time. They are like sponges, soaking up His love. At the end we got to pray for them, and God blew me away with some of the things He was saying to them!
And all of this happened at a prison! Not some women’s conference, not in a church, not at a huge evangelistic campaign…in a prison! It’s true…nothing can separate us from the love of God. He is in there with that group of women that the world would walk past and not give a second thought to. He is speaking to them and encouraging them, and they are starting to rise up and encourage each other. This is my first time doing any kind of prison ministry, and now I think I’m hooked. If you want to see true hunger and dependance on God, and people who have learned to trust Him beyond a shadow of a doubt…just go to jail! The Lord has His own little army, and even though they are behind bars, they are more free then most of the people I pass on the streets. They are free in the only way that matters, and even the gates of hell cannot hold them back. And these are my sisters the Lord is letting me meet and fellowship with this month.
Lord, keep showing these women that they have the keys to the Kingdom when they come to know You. Your joy is their strength. And You have come so that they may have life, and have it to the full, despite what the world may say.
