Prison Visit

You’d think that after 30 years of gospel ministry there’d be nothing left to surprise you or take your breath away. But try this …

Ushered through flimsy security gates to Malawi’s major jail we entered into the main prison courtyard where a band was playing gospel music. Sitting and standing in direct sunlight in a huge semi-circle were 500 of Malawi’s worst offenders, including in-mates on death row. Only two or three warders in sight, none of them armed … and we thought “What if there was a riot? A mass escape? Hostages taken?” A massive audience of men all calm and respectful, waiting for the ministry of the Word. Colin M’Bawa has such a reputation and a “presence” in this town that the prison staff completely trust him. And then we notice: the band is not just for in-mates – there are a couple of warders that join them to play instruments.

I asked all back home to pray while I preached. I knew we’d be up against the power and force of darkness and that we’d need a special blessing of the Spirit of God – BUT little did I know why I was going to really need the Holy Spirit’s work for. About 10 minutes before I was to preach … into the courtyard walk 80 female inmates! Think about it – 500 criminal men locked up for years … in front of their eyes walk 80 female prisoners and … well … biological chemistry takes over and my entire audience was lost.

However, to their credit, the prisoners showed great respect and turned their attention back to me while I preached from Colossians 1:21,22 on the subject of being alienated from God because of our enmity and then finding reconciliation with him through the death on the cross. I found wonderful freedom while preaching and looked these guys in the eyes and pleaded with them to place their faith in Christ before it is too late. I was calm and focussed and was able to preach for at least 40 minutes while maintaining eye contact with them for most of the time.

200 of the prisoners are actually members of CCAP and nearly 100 of them took communion. We stopped to talk with some of them after the service as we were leaving. We rejoiced and thanked God for yet another life-affecting experience – one that we wouldn’t see back home. The pictures are all in our mind – they wouldn’t allow us to take photos inside the prison.

We also had another rather amazing experience this afternoon, at rural village church, but more on that another day!