The first time I walked into prison I was overcome with a feeling of lightness that I was not ready to associate with the space I was in. A chaplain led us through the prison yard to the chapel. This chapel is in a small cement building. From the outside it is lifeless, colorless. But stepping through the doorway I was met with sunshine yellow walls and bright sunlight bathing in from big bay windows. Men in deep orange jumpsuits were singing in deep, bellowing voices – clapping and praising the Lord. From what I had been previously exposed to relating to prison I was ready for stone cold, intimidating faces, but what I saw was joy. And light. And redemption. And community. Our team had the opportunity to give a message and testimony. Throughout the message I couldn’t help but be amazed at the scene before me. In a place where there is supposed to be so much darkness and despair, I was seeing grown men come to Jesus and seek His redemption. Redemption. The word kept running through my head the entire time we were there. God continued to run the line “this space is a space of redemption and opportunity,” over and over in my mind. These men have the opportunity and space to change their lives. During a time that is considered to be a punishment, they may just receive the biggest blessing a person could receive. They get to live in a community that calls them higher, promotes the Word, and pursues Jesus. And then, sitting in that chair in prison, I had an interesting thought. Aren’t prison and the World Race pretty similar in that way? Are we not all living in community twenty-four seven, day in and day out for an extended period of time? Don’t we all have the opportunity to call each other higher, promote the Word, and pursue Jesus? We all are a community of believers fighting for each other and for God. Wow. Never would I have thought I’d be in a prison – let alone finding a way to tangibly connect with prisoners – but here I am.
Two weeks later I went back to prison where I find out that orange is the color of redemption. Each man before me was clothed in the color of redemption. God is working in that space, bringing men to Jesus and creating light in the darkest place. Redemption is happening there for those men and for me. God is redeeming my view of Him and the ways He works and he is redeeming prisoners lives.
Continual thanks to all my supporters for your prayers throughout this journey. They not only impact me, they impact my team and each person I interact with daily. Our team is gearing up to head to the bush of Africa in two weeks to spend Christmas at our ministry’s branch church. Pray for us as we prepare to spend the holidays in tents evangelizing and spreading the Gospel. It will be a very untraditional Christmas, but we are all very excited! Sending love from Botswana!
