Last month we celebrated women in missions, and this month we’re giving it up for our guys! We’re having fun with images of mustaches, muscles, pipes, and the iconic World Race beard. We’ve poured over blogs from men on the field along with those of the thankful ladies serving beside them. They’re stories of fun and freedom, challenge and compassion, honor and humility. And the lasting impression we’re left with is a man who looks like Jesus.
Joe De Leon of the September 2013 X Squad shares his experience with prison ministry in Ethiopia. He shares a story of freedom, fun, and forgiveness, complete with bike shows and hundreds of dancing Ethiopian prisoners.
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In Ethiopia, we had the chance to work with the Andrew Palau Festival in Addis Ababa. It was a week long outreach in the capital city in an attempt to unite the local churches. The festival had been planned for over two years, but we jumped on board with only a few weeks notice. Little did I know, I was to be the team leader of the prison outreach for the week.
We traveled to three prisons, one a day, with a bike show and an encouraging message.
I remember my new teammates from the festival asking me, “So how much experience do you have with prison outreaches?” I replied, “None whatsoever.” But those three days will be some that I will never forget.
There I was, standing in an open field with hundreds and hundreds of Ethiopian prisoners.
And the crazy thing was they all had stories. Each and every man there had a story.
I had two BMX riders on the team with me, so we would always start with a fun bike show.
It definitely brought a lightness to the environment, and it was amazing to see the 50 and 60 year old prisoners turn into excited 10 year olds again, jumping up and down, clapping their hands.
We ended our time there reminding them they aren’t forgotten people. And if we care enough to come hang out and visit them for a day, think how much more God wanted to be with them. He is the one who created them, so he wants them to know him. This was our message.
I remember speaking through a big PA system, “I don’t know what it is like to be here. Your life is much different than mine. But, believe it or not, we do have something in common. And that is you guys make mistakes.. and I make mistakes too.
I could easily be right where you guys are. So my need for God’s forgiveness and the grace of Jesus is equal to yours. And I just want to tell you guys that if you have God, you have everything you will ever need. And that isn’t my message, thats the message of Jesus. So although there isn’t physical freedom in this moment, there is spiritual freedom in Christ. And there is so much joy to be found in that.”
After, we all sang songs in Amharic and danced.
Dancing with hundreds of African prisoners in an open field in the middle of a small Ethiopian village is something I probably won’t forget anytime soon.
After we left, these men were still in prison, some for their lifetime. But when they were reminded about the love and forgiveness of God, they couldn’t help but dance with joy in their hearts. I’m reminded that as disciples of Jesus, one main ministry we have is to remind, because, if there is anything I’ve learned about the human race, it’s that we are so forgetful. So remind those who are heavy burdened to rejoice in the grace of God. And remind yourself often too.
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You have message to share too. You can speak freedom to prisoners, comfort to widows, and belonging to orphans on the World Race. Check out the July 2014 routes.
