The contrast between the American and Malawian juvenile detention systems paints an interesting picture. I have little knowledge of what our American system is like, but here is the experience we had here in Malawi yesterday (err, Saturday Aug 23, now that I can post this). Note: In our packed van ride to this visit, I felt in my heart that something BIG was going to happen today, that there was something special about this day.
We arrived for our visit with 13 azungus (a-zoon-goos) (local word for “white people”) and 4 of our Malawian friends for help translating. This rehabilitation center used to house almost 200 kids but due to budget cuts it now only has 30 children- the ones who are orphans or abandoned by their family with no place to go home to. These kids were mainly street children caught stealing. The place is run by 33 staff members.
As we pulled up, all of us were noting that there were no walls surrounding the compound, no security guards, just open fields and a few buildings nestled between the neighboring homes.
We began with a tour around the dilapidated facility. Some of the dormitories were overflowing with piled up old bunk-bed frames and others had beds but hardly anything else, even blankets. We walked past an outdoor “classroom” that was also the place for piling up half-broken pieces of brick. Most of the glass had been broken out of all the windows and there was no sign of maintenance on anything except the kitchen where the kids rotate cleaning duty. There was a main assembly hall that was well kept and the place where we ended the tour and met the children, at last.
I walked in, up to the front rows where the kids sat and asked one kid if I could sit by him.
He smiled and said yes. He began talking with me using his simple English and I learned his name is Justin, he is 13 years old, and he dreams of being a lawyer. I knew right away this kid was smart, and special. The afternoon program began with the kids sharing a mini talent show! To my delight, Justin was called up for his talent which was reciting two poems, about education and Jesus, and reciting his favorite verses from the bible. This kid was so cool! Then, us azungus offered up some singing, stomping, and rapping followed by starting some local Malawian worship songs. When we began the Malawian songs, Justin began leading the choruses, dancing alongside us with the other kids, and had the biggest grin on his face!!
Two of our team members shared about how God brought them out of their empty lives consumed by parties, drugs, alcohol and promiscuity into a life of meaning, joy, and love. Another girl shared pieces of scripture about how the Lord freely offers us forgiveness and wants to redeem, renew, and enrich our lives when we hand it over to Him. At this time, we asked the kids- who showed much knowledge about Jesus- if any of them felt in their heart that they wanted to place their life in the hands of Jesus.
THIRTEEN of the kids, including my new friend Justin, came to the front to give their hearts over to a life committed to Jesus!
We broke up into groups to talk with them about their struggles, pray with them for their new life in Christ, and offer some counseling. This is when I learned that Justin, my smiling buddy, is actually picked on all the time because he wets the bed. Ouch, heartache for him. And these other teens shared how the struggle with stealing, lying, drugs, wanting friends, and alcohol. In that time I opened up about the true happiness that is found in knowing Jesus Christ and the ways we try to fill that void with other things. I told them that they can pray at any time for anything and God will hear them and answer in his perfect timing. We talked about faith and trust, and I could see a difference in their demeanor- they weren’t slouching or staring at the ground anymore, but were sitting up, nodding, learning, agreeing.
After we finished praying, I shared a hug with all my new brothers and sisters in Christ and headed over to join the soccer match we started. So as you read this, pray for them to grow in love. Pray for them to overcome their troubled past in order to see a more fulfilled life. Pray for their freedom and provision. And then pray a prayer of thanks for all that you have been blessed with in life. And if you have never taken a step in faith toward the fulfilled life that is offered through the life of Jesus- start learning more about him today.
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.” Ephesians 3:7-9
