In Ethiopia we had a chance to work with the Andrew Palau Festival in Addis Ababa. It was week long outreach in the capital city in an attempt to unite the local churches. The festival was being planned for over 2 years but we jumped on board with only a few weeks notice. Little did I know that I was planned to be the team leader of the “prison outreach” for the week. We would travel to 3 prisons, one a day, and have a bike show and encouraging message. I remember my new teammates from the festival ask 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 a story. Each and every man there.. he 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. The look in their eyes when they saw Paul or Dustin do a crazy trick was something really special. We ended our time there reminding them that 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 saying, “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 some 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.
