With the raining falling and a cool days relief from the 100+ African heat, we headed into the prison. In the center of the gated courtyard is a house that, in the states, would be for a family of 6. And yet, inside of it is one large room that can hold up to 90 men. They never leave the room, unless they are chosen to do a chore in the courtyard, and they can stay there for up to 10 years. This prison has men from as young as 13 up to 70 years old.
So we all squeeze into the waiting room, while locks are slammed behind us and other ones are opened up in front of us. The door opens, and we begin to file into the room. They have cleared about half of it so we can sit in chairs. I look at the men squished together on the floor, and my heart begins to hurt for them.
Today, God allowed me to see these men through His eyes. He created these men. God formed everything. The stars, the oceans, the land, the animals, everything. And yet, when he took some dirt and breathed life into it, this is what He said was very good.
These men were made in the image of God. The have the breath of God inside their lungs. They have the same DNA as Adam, beings made to protect, provide, guide, and care for the land and women. They have the righteous desire to seek adventure and live a great life buried deep in their hearts.
And looking at the group of 60-70 men, I can see it. There is still hope in their spirit and a desire to be more than what they are considered: prisoners. If they could turn their focus to God and let Him fill their lives with vision of a great future, they would become free men, enslaved no longer by the sin of the world.
They stand and then this small room, with a smell of dirty bodies in the air, these men began singing, with one voice, and my heart was filled. If men around the world could unite their voices and sing praises and thanks to God, then things would change. The devil would flee and the light of the living God would cover the world. If the men could sing and rejoice and be together in fighting for Truth, the Earth would shake and man would regain their dominion of the world.
Men, stand up. Link arms with one another and lift up your voice. Sing a battle cry to God and fight for the world. Protect us and own the life of adventure God made for you when you were born. The fight is yours and the world needs you.
