Friday, April 13, 2007—Morning, Arima

In Prison Again

This morning we were at the Maximum Security Prison (MSP) for men. Prison Fellowship Trinidad and Tobago arranged this visit for us. At least 85 men joined us in the chapel. After being screened for through security we met the Superintendent of Prisons. I noticed he had a Bible on the corner of his desk. He thanked us for coming and said, “have a blessed day.”

This experience, as has been the case with other meetings we have been in, rolled out in it’s own interesting way as the Spirit led. While we always had a carefully planned program designed for each situation, the circumstances did not always allow the program to unfold in the way we expected. In each case, it unfolds as God designs it.

We started out with about 50 men in their blue prison issued uniforms. The prisoners themselves led the worship music. Loud, joyous, engaging. Songs just rolled out one after the other. I can remember they sang This is the Day and Give Me Oil in My Lamp among many others. We sang for about 20 minutes. No printed words, no overhead, no Power Point. Just enthusiastic singing, clapping, two tambourines, some stomping and I sensed that in some way these guys felt free during this time. It was a privilege to worship with them . . . as with one of the least of these.

One man gave a testimony of how God had changed his life since coming to MSP at the age of 17. He would be released this next week at the age of 30.

A woman introduced us from Prison Fellowship this time. We presented the book, how to use it, and the problem of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. We read scripture from the Reach for Life book. Peter and Sham spoke. As Peter was giving an invitation to follow Christ, another 50 or so men started to come down the sidewalk, which we could see from where we sat at the front of the chapel. It was hard to tell what was happening. They started into the room and took seats at the back. Some of those who had come at the beginning were dismissed, most of those seats were filled. After that transition I counted 85 men.

Peter finished his invitation, Sham spoke again, and Dexter preached for a while. The service kept on going; we repeated parts; we distributed more books. At some point there was an invitation to those who had raised their hands to come to the front of the chapel. Our team mingled with those who came; we laid our hands on their shoulders as many prayed to receive Christ and ask God to help them lead a better life—whether for the rest of their lives they would be incarcerated or one day they would walk outside again.

We distributed a copy of Reach for Life, which includes an NIV New Testament, to each prisoner, guard and Prison Fellowship staff.

Trinidad, West Indies, 11 PM