“Is this your first time in jail?”
That’s what one of my teammates whispered to me as we were waiting to be checked by security before entering Ratchaburi Central Prison.
I never expected to find myself in a prison anywhere, let alone in Thailand. Prison ministry had never even crossed my mind before the World Race, but I started to get excited about it as soon as I found out that YWAM Ratchaburi ran Discipleship Training Schools in the local prison. I was looking forward to spending time with individuals that are frequently looked down on by society.
As I walked through the prison, feeling a little claustrophobic as I looked up at the tall walls surrounding me, I was wondering how many men and women in that place felt like I did, that they were someplace they never expected to find themselves. I thought about how differently I would feel if I didn’t know that I could walk out at any time.
The reality of prisons here – as in much of the world, I would imagine – is that many innocent men and women find themselves inside. Many suspects plead guilty automatically because it means their sentence will be cut in half. They risk serving twice as long if they plead not guilty but are convicted. In a judicial system where murder sentences only earn you ten years but drug charges can put you away for life, it’s hard to feel like justice is a sure bet.
Our visit was with the women’s zone of the prison, and the best way I can think of to describe it is joyful. I know, joy isn’t what I expected to find in prison. There was a lot of laughter and many sweet smiles directed our way. I was immediately struck by the sense of sisterhood I felt there. I don’t just mean sisterhood between the inmates – I mean sisterhood between all of us. Worshiping God with these women, hugging them and playing with their babies, was such a joyful experience. Those babies won’t remember spending the first couple of years of their lives in jail, but I’m still glad they’re with mothers who are learning about God and seeking joy and redemption despite their circumstance.
This was such a tangible reminder of what the body of Christ should look like. It doesn’t matter where you find fellow believers – at home in the States, in a small village in the middle of nowhere, or behind bars – there’s no difference between those that love Jesus.
I realized after this visit that I was so excited about this ministry in part because I have seen how much it bears fruit. We’ve had the privilege this month of serving with several men who participated in the YWAM Bible program while they were inmates, and then decided to continue serving with YWAM following their release from prison. One young man who was recently released will be leaving Ratchaburi about the same time we do in order to participate in a full Discipleship Training Program. He will spend three months in classes, and then another three months working in outreach ministry. Watching his dedication in ministry has taught me a lot about how I want to serve in the mission field.
One of my favorite parts about ministry in Thailand has been seeing the power of redemption. It has been so cool to work with these guys who are moving on from the difficulties in their past and seeking opportunities to serve God and their community. Society here is not welcoming to those coming out of prison, so watching them be welcomed with opened arms into the YWAM community and the families we minister to has taught me a lot about God’s love for us. There’s no exception to His love, yet the love offered by His church all too often comes with stipulations. That needs to change!
I’ve been thinking a lot this past week or so about the power of freedom. Based on comments made by the former inmates we work with, I think it can be an uphill battle for them to really accept freedom. In many ways I think the men and women coming out of the prison continue to view themselves as prisoners, even though they are walking free. It’s just a reminder that there are so often chains that we can’t see. That’s one of the beautiful things about the YWAM prison outreach – the staff here are connecting with the inmates and teaching them that they can have true freedom even before their sentences are up. They are learning that forgiveness is possible, and that means that they can learn to forgive themselves as well as be forgiven.
My hope and prayer for these individuals is that they will continue to seek their identity in Christ. Who they are is not based on what they did that put them in prison, whether their families accept them, or how they are received by a society that may view them as bad even though they are living out new lives. The women I met in jail didn’t seem like prisoners – they possessed the kind of joyful, free spirits that you don’t see every day. I’m already physically free, but I want THAT kind of freedom.
