We had some very carefully made plans for exactly how we would conduct our afternoon session at the juvenile prison in Port of Spain.
Our plans included meeting a Prison Fellowship chaplain who would be in charge of our presentation to the youth. He met us as the gate area to explain that he was expected at the adult men’s prison at the same time and would not be able to stay with us. But assured that we would be adequately hosted by one of the prison staff who is a believer. So, he left, and we waited. Shortly, we were escorted into a large gymnasium for our presentation.
Forty-four 14-17 year olds were quietly waiting on the bleachers; we were directed to white plastic chairs at half-court. Sham and Peter quickly realized that we were now on and got the program started. Sham opened with some remarks and prayer. Peter started his normal presentation about the book and the importance of living a godly life. The boys were attentive, quiet, and engaged turning to the various pages of the book.
Peter gave the whole presentation and started an invitation to close when two uniformed prison staff walked in, told Peter “one-minute” and escort about 8 of the boys out of the room. None of us knew exactly what had happened. Peter assumed that he was to wrap it up in one-minute—the same conclusion that I had. He finished his invitation and we all looked around wondering what was next. No one came. As part of the invitation Peter invited the young men to sign a paper indicating their interest in joining a small group Bible study using the Reach for Life book as a tool.
For the next 45 minutes we stood around and talked with the various boys and learned something about their lives and current situations. This was an important and impactful time for all of us. We learned that these kids were waiting for court dates and sentencing. Most believed they would be released within weeks or days and had been accused of petty crimes.
One boy who made an impression on me was Stefon Paul. He thanked us for coming to the jail and for preaching a gospel that included grace and forgiveness. He knows about his own guilt for his crime. He already knows about forgiveness that is provided by the blood of Jesus, but felt that many people were condemning him and his incarcerated colleagues with discouraging words. When Stefon Paul gets out of jail he wants to study and become a Pastor. I think his experience will make him a good minister for reconciliation and forgiveness. I promised him that I would pray that God would bless him and would use him to do just that. I hope that you will have the same prayer for Stefon Paul.
Most of the boys we talked to do not have much family at home. Some parents were dead; others had just abandoned them for economic reason. A grand parent had raised some. Most had lived on the street and had little formal education. Another boy, Michael, a more mature, tall and talkative kid, talked to us about the need for the other kids to learn better reading skills.
Today, as we visited with these young men in prison, I thought of Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 “. . . I was in prison and you came to visit me.” I sensed Jesus’ presence in a special way there as I have in prisons in California visiting inmates.
While we were at the juvenile institution, Dexter went to the customs office where the 5,000 Reach for Life books had been held for proper processing. By the time he was finished there, the books had been released; some boxes were in the back of his car and the palettes were on their way to the college where we are staying.
Now we are on our way to San Fernando to another Church where we will do yet another presentation.
is our textbook on the subject.
