So yesterday four of us had the awesome opportunity to visit the women’s prison and to participate in a bible study with the women there. I have to say that everything about that place was completely different than what I was expecting.
I thought that it would be an oppressive, bleak and depressed environment, but that thought was completely blown away. We found ourselves walking into an open-air courtyard filling with plastic tables and chairs, clothes hanging on the line, women cooking and chatting with one another. Surrounding the courtyard were three stories of rooms each with bunk beds and colorful fabrics hanging in the windows. The entire atmosphere seemed saturated with color, life, and activity.
The individual women that we were able to talk to were amazing. Many of them have become Christians since coming to the prison and have the most beautiful hearts. It only took one visit for those women to steal my heart and I already can´t wait to go back.
The crimes that were committed varied everywhere from co-signing a loan that wasn´t repaid to murdering a husband but you would never know by meeting the people. Christ has completely transformed many of them in such a way that I often found myself wondering what they were doing there. It was truly a blessing to be able to share a message and two testimonies with them and to see them respond to what we said.
We are hoping to be able to return here this week so please pray for the women and the ministries there. I wish that I had pictures to show you of the prison and the women but unfortunately cameras are not allowed. Instead here is a picture of our team and the canvas that we made.
