Prison!

Prisoners eagerly enjoying the film.

The man in the foreground (right) is the one interested in meeting regularly.

Me, changing the vcd to the 2nd disc of the film.

Greeting/talking a bit between.

Hi. This week I accepted an opportunity that I had never taken advantage of before. I was asked by the team to help project a film in prison here in Kadiolo. Our church has been involved in prison ministry here for a long time, but this was my first time to go.

You need to understand. Prison in Mali is not like prison in America. No tv, No Ac, no towels, no uniforms, food once a day, if you want more, your family has to bring it to you.
Very very rustic meager conditions, okay?

So we arrived at the prison. I'm told we are going to have a meeting room to show this film in.
NOPE. They opened the door to the prisoner's courtyard. There were about 60 men in there. 5 bedroom/cells. 4 toilet/shower rooms. And the courtyard was about 8 yards by 20 yards.
These men are here on 2,3,5,10 year stretches.... Wow. And the guard opened the door to this courtyard, and let us in. We went in, set up our equipment, and he locked us in!

So we began to speak with the men. They were so so so respectful. And so thankful to have visitors, even in the name of Jesus. They loved our film. It was amazing. It was not like a prison film where they shout obscenities. One of our team was Lydie, a young woman. She was locked in with us, too. (That may not have been wise...) But nobody spoke out of place to her, and no one approached her in any way. I was amazed, and pleased that we didn't have to deal with that kind of problem.

We showed the film, in french. I'd say about 80% of the prisoners raised their hand saying they understood french. It is the story of a man who sells his soul to a witchdoctor for money, but then finds Jesus, and defies the witchdoctor. Powerful film if you're plagued by witchdoctors.
They thoroughly enjoyed the film, and marvelled at the heros' courage to defy the witchdoctor. And then he didn't even die! Jesus must be truly powerful.

That was quite the experience for me. I'm praying about doing more prison ministry.
One man approached me afterwards, and said before he was in prison, he was not a believer, but now he is catholic, and a believer. He was dissappointed the priest did not visit. Our visit was such an encouragement to him. I'd like to visit him more... and see where the contact leads.

God does surprise us constantly doesn't He? I thought/imagined what the prison would be like and in some ways it was worse, in the important ways it was better.
I can't help feeling moved by the openness I saw in those men. How many free men are closed to the gospel? And these men were eager to meet a believer and hear.... wow.

Thanks for stopping by, and hearing our thoughts. :-)
Tom & Lisa