I Got Sent to Prison..
When they told us about the prison they said it would be pretty different from what we were used to. No barbwire, no electric fences, no watch towers. We head down the long rocky canyon path. We pass a few people along the way seeing multiple prisoners working or walking hand cuffed to one another. Here the prisoners have more freedom. We are told that some are even able to walk to the grocery store in town to buy bread for themselves. We arrive to a concrete building where there’s no sign-in-sheets or frisking to get inside the prison court yard. We simply have to go through the gate. Right after being greeted by the inmate list that informs us there are 70+ prisoners inside, 13 of which committed murder.
We walk through the gate into the prison court yard where 70+ inmates surround us. There is the sound of a pounding drum and an African maraca type stick shaking in the air as the 15 of us Americans take seats among the unchained criminals. It takes me a long time to spot any security aside from the make shift barbwire rooftops that are made from broken glass. (Steven Spielberg himself couldn’t have imagined this prison)
As I look around and listen, the fear mixes with a little bit of excitement and a desire to dance to the beat. (Even though I would probably be offbeat). Pastor calls up the men to sing a certain song and most of the men start praising God. It makes me smile as I see the freedom that some of these prisoners have in Christ.
It’s our turn to go one-by-one greeting the prison with the reason why we’re here today. Afterwards, Molly and Caleb tell their testimonies beautifully. We all sing one song (Reckless Love) with the guidance of our wonderful guitarist Kricket. For the finish, Melissa shares the Bible story of Paul and the freedom he found in Jesus even through prison. All kudos to the Holy Spirit. (Seriously couldn’t have done it without ya!)
And to take the cake, Pastor gives his testimonies and most eyes are deeply engaged. Suddenly us group of Americans are not as distracting to the message. I sit in my seat trying not to get nervous every time a guard runs behind me and begin praying for the men present. Pastor asks for the third time if anyone wants to change their lives and live for Jesus.
Almost all at once 15 men of unknown crimes surround the pastor, but this time there is no fear in me. There is no care for what the men have or have not done to end up here. There are only feelings of love and joy for the men who stepped out in boldness without fear or persecution. Payden gets asked to lead the men in their first prayer that will forever change lives. Afterwards the 15 of us get the chance to pray for each new follower of Jesus. The prayers finish so we clap and celebrate as the drummer begins to play again. This time the pounding is not so overwhelmingly theatrical. This time is the perfect time to feel the beat as we just gained 15 new brothers in Christ.
Prayer Requests:
-The 15 men to truly be transformed and go after God and for the rest of the prison
-Healing hands and prayers at the hospital here
-The soup kitchen ministries here
-Our month here in L E S O T H O to continue to be full of Holy Spirit moments
-My mother’s fundraising to join me N E X T M O N T H
————–DISCLAIMER————–
(I DON’T HAVE WIFI THIS MONTH AND THIS BLOG WILL BE POSTED BY SOMEONE ELSE TRAVELING TO AN INTERNET CAFÉ, if you are reading this please know that I am in fact very much alive and am TOTALLY loving this country and all the different ministries we get to do, but still miss your faces.)
K. Bye.
