Singing with Inmates II

The boda boda ride to the next prison was a tougher than the first. The roads and tracks were rougher for about 20 or so kilometers. Moses and the pastor shared one ride and I shared mine with my box guitar. We had carried a few books to distribute in the next prison. On the way the local pastor made us to pass through his relative's home who had recently lost a son. After greetings, the pastor mentioned about the books and he gave one or two to his relatives. We never expected the reception and the same scramble we had with the inmates - every one (about 20 or so relatives) wanted a copy of their own. At the end we had nothing in our hands to take to the next prison. His relative was a pentecostal preacher and he too took a few books.

We consoled ourselves with the scripture that "all things work together for our good" as we hastened to the next prison. When we arrived to the nearest town to the prison the pastor had to go and alert them and seek clearance of our visit as we took lunch in a small kiosk. The prisoners were overly excited when they heard we had arrived and started singing choruses.

We held the meeting in men's cell, a one room confinement with no furniture or beds that hosted nearly 100 male inmates. There were also about 10 women prisoners who were brought in from their cell to join us. We had planned to show them a film but there were no power sockets in the cell, a safety measure that prisons put to ensure that prisoners don't harm themselves. . Since we were not able to show the film, Bro. Moses put on the message "living, dying, buried, rising, coming". for few minutes. He also called for an alter call and prayed for the needs of the prisoners. The inmates in this prisoners were very excited to receive us and really enjoyed singing. They also invited us again and requested for Bibles and books.

The deputy in the first prison had also requested whether we could set up a local fellowship near the prison so that the local community could have a chance to listen too the message. We told the local pastor to look into that and see what they could do. There were also needs for baptisms and we need to organise for a portable baptistry that can be carried on a motorbike on such prison visits. There are about 35 candidates for baptism in Nyamaingo prisons, 40 in Masabu and others in Bukiri Prisons.

Boda boda rides back were longer and rougher as it had rained halfway and we had to cope with skidding and splashes from flood water. We thank the Lord that we arrived safely to Busia though aching, muddied and dusty. We were not bothered however by these as we settled for a meal in Busia town, thanking the Lord for all His Mercies. The trip was worth every sacrifice.

I have never been in such missions before and was humbled by the reception both from prison administrators and prisoners. I am sure the books were read overnight as these were almost the only reading material in the cells.

We thank God for opening such opportunities for the God's Message to be shared in such difficult places and for openness in which it is shared and the respect that has been accorded to our brother who now has a full license that give him free access to almost all prisons in Kenya.

Lets thank God for opening so many doors for our brothers and sisters in prisons in Kenya and Uganda. We also thank the Voice of God Recordings for giving us books to take to these brothers and sisters in Prisons.