My friend Michelle went on the World Race exactly two years before I did. She was a huge support and encouragement to me as I prepared to leave earlier this year. She gave me gear advice, encouraged me through fundraising, and even let me talk her ear off about training camp. Since returning from the Race, she has been working in Southern California as a parachaplin at a youth correctional facility. I avidly read her facebook and blog posts about all that God is doing in and through her: setting captives free.
Up until this morning, I didn't have any idea what that really meant. But this morning, our team spent some time in the Migori District Prisons here in Kenya. We had the opportunity to share the Gospel with some of the 400+ men and the 27 women. We had to receive special permission from the head officers of each prison to even be able to enter. Our contact, Pastor Abraham, had never been allowed to take teams into the women's prison, but God opened up the doors this week to make it possible.
Earlier this week, when first visiting the prison, God really laid it on my heart to speak at the men's prison, to share the story of the Prodigal Son. I didn't know what to expect when sharing this message. I had no idea how many of the men were familiar with the Gospel, or if any were already born again. I didn't know if the men would even listen to me or care what I had to say. I just knew I had to use my voice. So today, I found myself standing before a large group of men, uncertain yet hopeful.
With the help of a translator, I shared the message of the Gospel through the story of the Prodigal. Afterwards, we asked if anyone wanted to start new, to give their lives to Jesus. And to my complete shock, most of the group came forward. Many of them kneeled to the ground in repentance. The team went around and prayed with men and blessed them. We then led the men in a salvation prayer.
Now, a lot of these men were already born again followers of Christ, but something in the story of the Prodigal touched them and called them to recommit their lives to Jesus. We later asked how many men made a first-time committment to Christ, and at least ten hands went up! Praise God!
These men are captive in Kenya. They have been locked up into the prison for one reason or another, and are prisoners. However, some of them are going to bed tonight tasting freedom. Not freedom in the physical sense, though that will come, but freedom in the spiritual sense. They have a new identity and new hope in Jesus Christ.
And really, thats what the World Race is all about. All around the world, people are living in bondage, slaves to the world and to their flesh. This year is about speaking freedom to those captives. Its about loosening the shackles that hold them down. Many people don't even realize that they are imprisoned. Its time that they not only know, but that they are freed.
Thats the core of ministry, really. Some people are slaves to their sin. Others are held down by the lies they believe about themselves. And still others are bound by physical walls, in an actual prison for one reason or another. God is using me and my team here in Kenya, and He is using Michelle with the teens of Southern California, to bring freedom.
He sets captives free!
————————————————————————————–
If you are intersted in supporting Michelle and her ministry in prisons in Southern California, OR if you want to read more about the work she is doing, please visit her blog. She is 100% support-funded and needs your help to keep going in her ministry! Please also keep her in your prayers!
