Usually when I go to the jail, I skip right past the three solitary cells. It’s not so much out of fear or worry about the men in there, it’s more related to the fact that so many other people are there that I just walk past with maybe a wave. Something about the men encouraged me to stop yesterday, and even go back again today, and I was so blessed I did.
A man is put in one of the three solitary cells if they are a political prisoner, dangerous, or sick. They don’t get all the “ämenities” that the other cells get like a tv, beds, or private bathrooms, but the warden does look out for them by at least providing a companion for them if they are no harm. Jerry is actually a high profile political figure and has been sentenced to confinement in solitary for an undetermined time. Luckily, he was blessed by being able to have two fellow inmates stay with him, often in on rotation. I don’t know what I expected the men in these cells to be like, but this one blew my mind.
As I talked with him, I was able to hear his whole story and how he was put in jail just a few months ago. He has been charged with seven counts of murder that happened at a political function, and as one of the most outspoken members, the blame was placed on him. Of course in prison, everyone is innocent and has their alibi, so you have to pray for discernment on who you will listen to. I do respect all the men that I have met in positions of authority and political offices, but I know in coutries with backgrounds similar to this, even a few great men in power can be outweighed. Jerry cried as he told me his story and spoke of the loneliness he felt (all in perfect English by the way because he is a very bright man). He showed me some of the books that had been donated to him in his “library” of English books. He also asked me if I had any Bible study books I could bring him to add to his collection.
I have been so moved by his story, that even if he is lying to me, I just want to be around him. Afterall, he’s either lying to my face and needs the light of Jesus in his life, or he’s telling the truth and needs the comfort of Jesus in his life. Either way he needs Jesus, so I’ll keep visiting for now. As we talked, he would just tear up as he told me more about the poverty and injustice in this country. Every now and then he would just place his hand on mine and just thank me again for stopping by.
Finally, when I was talking to him today, he told me I could move on to the other cells I came to visit. I told him that he was the only one I came to see today. He was so shocked by that and his eyes immediatly turned red. He then went on to tell me that since there was a water shortage (more like NO water) at the jail, he decided yesterday to drink dirty water and he was now sick from it. He said he wanted me to visit again when he was healthy, but he needed to rest to regain his strength since he couldn’t stop going to the bathroom (TMI I know, but these are the conditions we live with). I told him I would be back and he said, “Well, we will be here.” As if I didn’t know.
He asked me one final question before I left. “Pastor, when you come back, can you teach us to pray? Since we’re all alone, we need to learn.” That is why I’m here, and that is what I do.
