Singing with Inmates I

I was privileged to accompany Pastor Moses on his prison visit to Uganda in July this year where I had a wonderful time singing with inmates. We travelled by bus on Friday night to Busia, a border town between Kenya and Uganda. It was a comfortable bus ride and we slept nearly through. We had a little problem at the immigration because my passport had expired a few days before without me knowing but the Lord was gracious as they cleared me and brother Moses without a problem. Think of God opening the way, when there is no way.

We had a box full of Message Books and security officers clearing us were so happy to have some copies for themselves. Across to Uganda we took motor bike rides (called boda boda) into the nearest prison, that took about 30 minutes on very dusty roads. We had won urban clothes, worse myself with a suit and tie, that were covered brown by the dust by the time we reached the first prison. I had my box guitar on my laps, and Pastor Moses had on his back a pack-back with a laptop, projector and other electrical gadgets for listening to the message on top of his personal effects (quite a bulge), that too were swathed by dust.

Reaching the gate of prison, we were told that the deputy in charge, who had invited us was not in and so we could not enter. Moses called the head of the prison who said he was not aware of our visit and the deputy was on leave. Moses thanked him and told him that we could go to the next prison and his response was fast and surprising. He said that he was going to authorize our visit and requested that he talks to the warden at the gate on Moses' phone. Soon the gate was gladly opened by very welcoming prison wardens. Apparently bro. Moses is known here as "Pastor Moses" and both the Prison Wardens and Prisoners highly respect him.

Immediately the prisoners were mobilized after taking their breakfast of porridge. Dressed in yellow shirts and shorts, life here is difficult with little food and basic necessities like soap ad toilet paper. There were about 100 male inmates and 10 women, all who gathered under a trees to welcome and worship with us.

We had a wonderful time signing together. They loved my guitar as they hardly have an opportunity to sing with one, leave a lone a musician visiting the.

Our host Pastor from local Believers Assembly was there to welcome us and after we had sung a few songs, brother Moses put on the Message "Be certain of God" and for a few minutes listened to English and Swahili translations. There is hardly enough time to listen to a complete Message so you have to just give them a bite of it. After listening to the message he encouraged the prisoners to believe in God and then he called for an alter call where about 5 came to be prayed for. After which he prayed for the sick and for other needs that prisoners had. The most important need to most of them was to be released and be united with their families.

Then came the distribution of message books and we nearly had a scramble as each wanted a copy for him/herself and it was not easy to control them. Fortunately we had carried enough books and some remained after we had shared and were taken to the prison library that Bro. Moses had helped to set up.

There was so much excitement when we finished. Apparently the deputy of prison who was on leave had heard that we were in and he broke his leave to come and see us. He wanted bro. Moses to hold a Sunday service the next day but Moses apologized and promised to go back the week following. A female warden told us how such visit had changed the atmosphere in the prison with less fights and conflicts between prisoners. Several had given their lives to the Lord and there was more trust in prayers on their desire to be released from the prison. Many had actually been released and healed after prayers.