My heart beat quickened as we pulled up to the gate of the Kitale Prison.
As the car pulled to a stop on the gravel entrance way, my fears began to subside. The prison was beautiful. The buildings were well kept, the people milling outside were friendly, and the compound stood atop a hill with a breathtaking view of Mount Elgon and the verdant valley spreading blow. The sun was out, the breeze was welcome, and as we walked towards the building housing the women I began to think,
This might not be as scary as I thought.
My heart was beating so quickly as I semi-freaked out over what to say. Then the Holy Spirit swopped in and the Lord spoke a single word to my heart: sisters.
We were sisters.
Although we were separated by thousands of miles, knew completely different cultures and lived worlds apart, we were sisters. We were the same. The Lord of the Universe loved me and loved my sisters sitting in that court yard. These women I saw around me were perfect, created by God, and treasured by the Lord of Lords.
Our pasts didn’t matter. The color of our skin didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was showing them how much they mattered.
In that moment my heart swelled with overwhelming love for these women.
Had I ever met them before? No.
Did I know any of their names or stories or why they were there? No.
Did I love them so much I could hardly get words out? Yes.
There is nothing in the world that can explain that other than Jesus Christ. We are truly united in Him and when we are created anew in Him – He lives in us. His love moves through us. That day, the Love of Jesus Christ flowed through me and united my heart with the hearts and souls of every woman in that place. That love was obvious by the smiles, tender embraces, and joy spreading through a courtyard full of women who has never met before in their lives.
After we shared, we stood together and prayed that the women we held hands with would be transformed into the image of Christ and leave the prison completely different than when they entered. Again, the Spirit of the living God was so strong in that place. When prayer ended, the court yard erupted in song! Worship, clapping, and singing rose all around us! Hands were raised and the name of the Lord was praised. There was no division, no superiority…nothing but sisters joyfully worshiping Jesus Christ together.
