On 23rd.March.2013 I
made my first visit to Luzira Upper prison as together with Power FM staff. What
I saw was beyond what I always imagined.
I AND FELIX STAND FOR RECOGNITION
HENRY INSPECTING THE TEAMS BEFORE THE GAME
Upon our arrival, we were stopped at the prison gate
requiring the presence of the prison principal to allow us in. We were then
allowed in after his arrival. However we were up to 15 plus who went for the
outreach and according to the principal, the law does not permit more than five
members to access the prison and interact with the inmates but by HIS grace we
were all allowed to enter at once.
At the gate we were asked to leave our phones behind and
were also barred from carrying any more on us or issuing money to any of the
inmates. It was this time that we were also questioned to execute the goal for
which we had been permitted and not any other objective.
HENRY PRAISING AND DANCING WITH INMATES
We were introduced to a group of
inmates who were supposedly God loving men or may be had turned to
God for help. They looked so helpless though they vigorously engaged themselves
in praises to God. Sitting on the floor, they listened attentively to the
message and received the word with excitement before committing their lives to
Christ. I must admit that the whole scenario was pathetic BUT I was so grateful
to God that in the midst of hopeless situations, He has provided hope in Christ
and whosoever believes in him shall never perish but have everlasting life.
I
saw a very young man [in the picture above] in his late teen age probably over 19 years wearing the life
imprisonment uniform and the picture has never left my mind wondering how and
when he got in there. I was not strong enough to hold back my tears but
was refreshed after we left by the fact that we had left them with JESUS to
build hope and their faith.
THE TEAMS PLAYING THE GAME
SOME OF THE INMATES ENJOYING THE GAME
WE ENJOYED AND SUPPORTED THE IMATES AS THEY PLAYED THE GAME
If only we are allowed to visit the prisons often
it would become a ministry otherwise every movement in that place is
restricted and on very tight orders.
I was over whelmed by the joy the
prisoners had. This was witnessed in one of the leader as he led the opening
prayer with a full and prolonged time of thanks giving and adoration to the
Lord Jesus. I was touched at this man`s [Kaka] prayer and then yet another
great and exciting time was the music session as well as the praise and worship
session. These inmates can give praise and worship to the master.
THOUGH HE IS IS ON LIFE SENTENCE, HE STILL HAS A DREAM
It was then hard for us to say bye to our friends we had
shared, smiled, danced and played football with. The football session was great
moment for the inmates. This also demonstrated the talent that is covered in
there as MAN U 4 hit LIVERPOOL 3 to win a trophy and sports kit for a whole
team.
UPPER PRISON LIVERPOOL TEAM
UPPER PRISON MAN.U TEAM
THE WINING TEAM
STAND UP FOR THE CHAMPIONS
The great need we have saw is the word of God in prison [bibles and tracts],
and the hope of changing the inmates to good and profitable citizens, I believe
God for more support towards the prison ministry to enable us share the love of
God with the inmates as often as possible. Our prayer is that God may reward
everyone who has been a blessing to the prison ministry that has made the
outreach possible by supporting it financially.
Henry