After a rain delay, we were warmly welcomed at Kitale Main prison by several hundred inmates, many who had gone through CR plus many others. A few hundred men were gathered around us, others listening from across the yard and even a few sitting in the tops of trees reminding us of Zacchaeus.
They had prepared a program for us with songs, poems and one inmate who is being released next week even sang a song for us about how Celebrate Recovery changed his life. What a blessing!
We shared our stories of hope. They loved hearing Richard's testimony, of his 22 years of in and out of prison until he accepted Christ in his heart. They refer to him as a "jailbird", going in and out of prison. Both the inmates and officers were really impacted. I think they will always remember this day when an ex-prisoner from the US came all the way to Kenya to encourage them. Richard got to experience for the first time what it was like to see what he looked like when he was in prison - hard hearted and full of anger. It was like looking in an old mirror.
The chaplain did an alter call and so many men (too many to count) came forward and accepted Christ. It was amazing to see some of those hard hearts soften. Richard prayed for them.
We visited the women's prison and shared our stories and encouraged them. There are fewer women now, only 47, and only 6 children staying in prison with their mothers - being raised by the village of women. My friend Carolyne is still there leading the CR group. It was great to reconnect with her. We were honored with Swahili songs and welcomed back.
We left CR materials, Swahili Bibles and a few Purpose Driven Life books for both prisons.
It was a very good day.
Please pray for us as we visit Purpose Driven Academy tomorrow and Joann "preaches" at chapel for the students. Pray as we finalize arrangements for our seminar next week and reconnect with friends.
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Richard, what a blessing! It brings tears to my eyes to think of you reaching out to those men in Kitale Main. I keep thinking what if you and John had had a snapshot of yesterday that first day John met you...what would you have thought? God is so good, and does immeasurably more than we can even dare to imagine.
ReplyDeleteHave a great time preaching tomorrow Joann! I know God will give you just the right things to say to touch those young hearts. Let go, and let Him speak through you.
What a blessing to have a rain delay. The crops will grow taller. You definitely have shifted into planting, nurturing, and harvesting; in so many ways.
Keep up the good work!! Greetings to Margaret, the teachers, and all the wonderful kids!~
Our small group prayed for you last night after sharing some of your adventures. We're reading the blog and praying every day for you, even if we don't all comment. You are in our hearts and prayers!! Keep up the planting and harvesting! You all are doing incredible work for the Kingdom.
ReplyDeleteLove from all of us!