Behind Bars

About a month ago we were introduced to Pastor Amos, a pastor here in Tororo at a smaller village church, he is SO energetic and excited about what God is doing. The previous girls had done prison ministry with him and asked if we were interested. Yes, of course! So we went with him to the women’s prison. It is located outside of Tororo and someday I will take photos of the drive it is very beautiful!
    When we arrived at the prison we went in a larger open room. The women came in and knelt and shook each one of our hands. They wear long yellow, with thin black stripes, poncho dresses. We started our time with worship that the women led, in Swahili, and then we gave a short message and Nadine (our German friend, who works at a different school here) shared her testimony. We ended by praying for the women. They were so grateful to have us share with them and spend time with them. When Pastor Amos dropped us off we asked if we could go next week and he was so thrilled!
    We went again the next Friday and brought gifts again (that is a cultural thing, to bring gifts when you are going to someone’s house etc.) We did a similar agenda of welcoming, singing, and Holly shared her testimony. We then opened the floor for the women to share with us THEIR stories.
 One woman shared with us how she had started to choose the wrong choices when she was 10, she then lived with her Grandma, who paid her fees through school. She then got married and from what she said I think is the reason she has gotten into trouble that led her to prison.
    It is somewhat hard to understand what they mean when they explain things because our english terms are used differently. Regardless of the language barrier it was such a sweet time to spend with these women. They are in a really tough spot and some of them, I believe, truly have done no wrong. It is the corruption in the system. Yet they sing with smiles and joy in their spirits! Wow!
    The last time we spent praying for women individually. They told us what their requests were and we prayed. There were many requests for healing, court dates, children the women have left behind while being in prison, family, and what will happen when they leave. Our prayer times with them are so wonderful. I definitely feel the spirit and God working. Both times we have gone we sign a guest book when we leave and we were the only ones that had been there in the 2 weeks we went. Which makes it very sweet for us to go because I know the women are very appreciative that someone is visiting them. Someone who cares about them. Someone who is hopeful with them.