Today I Knelt at the Feet of a Murderer

"Momma Precious" at Precious Bakery

Today had one of those few moments in my life that I would personally call a "defining moment".  Let me start by saying that any time you face a different culture, especially one so drastically different than where you live, there are always moments that you remember or events that impact you, startle you or leave you just shaking your head in bewilderment, disbelief or wonder.  A "Defining Moment" in my mind is one of those moments in life that make such an impact deep into your heart that in some respect you are never the same again.  Today was one of those days that I am sure I will remember and refer to many times over in my life.  I'll get to the details in a bit.  

A local barbershop 

You'll see scattered throughout this blog, some random photos of life around here to give you an idea of what it is like day to day.

Jannekah's 30th Birthday Party

It has been fun having Hannah and Isaiah and Christina here along with Janne and Martin. Christina is Jannekah's mother and Hannah is Jannekah's sister (Isaiah is Hannah's son). They have been serving alongside the Guyas since the first of Nov. and will be here until April 1. They are providing some great testimonies at the various events and are of course a huge support for the Guyas.  

My Bedroom for the two weeks.

Due to changes over the last two days we ended up ministering at both the Youth Prison and Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.  At the Youth Prison many of the boys were not able to attend the meeting due to work chores, discipline or ????.  We spent about an hour with these boys ages 17-21.  I told them since they were my sons ages, they were going to hear from a fathers heart.  We talked about making choices, consequences and that their choices today had everything to do with their eternity rather than just their life on earth.  They were great listeners, appreciative and about 6 of these amazing young men made a decision for Christ.  We then blessed them with the care packages which were a shopping bag that had a very large bar of soap, underwear, toilet paper and a toothbrush and toothpaste.  Honestly, you'd thought it was Christmas morning.  Big smiles, many thank yous and a very happy Pastor Margaret who is the prison chaplain and momma.  Thanks to all who helped provide these items.  

The Team with The Kamiti Warden

This is only the second time that Martin and his team have been allowed into the Kamiti Max Security Prison. Unfortunately, due to recent security breaches we were not allowed inside with the camera.  The pictures below were taken during Martin's first visit. Kamiti is the largest Maximum security prison in Africa and houses aver 3,000 inmates most of whom are serving life sentences or are "condemned" to execution, although Kenya did away with executions several years ago. Let's just say that they are housing El Shabab terrorists, the organization responsible for the Nairobi mall masacre and when we were arriving they were transporting several Somali pirates out the front door. 

We had a very surprisingly warm welcome from the Warden (guy above in green) and were invited to sit down with him after the service for sodas and fruit.  He is a Christian and encourages Jesus to be proclaimed. I can't even imagine this happening in America! Once we went through a security search, we were led into the inner compound, yes, directly into the open area where a lot of the prisoners were hanging out. All I could think of was, 

Dancing With Joy and Sentenced to Life in Prison

"what if one of those prison riots started?"  Of course, since Jannekah was with us, we had more than our share of looks in our direction.  We were taken to a large covered open air area where they hold their gatherings.  The Praise Band was playing and once we sat down up front facing 300-400 guys in stripes, the singing started, the smiles came and the dancing unto the Lord began.  I have not seen that exuberance in what appeared to be a hopeless situation in all my life.  I was expecting blank stares, low energy and a lot of anxiety.  What we got was anything but that. 

Sing with Joy to The Lord

Justin and I looked at each other after we had sat down and noticed we didn't see a guard in sight. Now mind you, it was only us, several hundred prisoners, a couple chaplains and I am sure a guard somewhere outside but not where we were. A little anxiety turned to excitement and a big smile in short order. I sensed peace, a ton of joy and looks of appreciation that we would care enough about them to come.  Martin and Janne sang and then Martin and I preached the Gospel standing just a few feet away from the front row.  I began with Ezekiel's vision of dry bones and ended with Jesus washing Peter's feet at which time I knelt at the feet of several of these murderers, armed robbers, rapists, many of whom had been redeemed by Jesus and were no longer identified by what they did but rather by who they are now in Christ.  Three men humbly gave their life to the Lord and will now attend some discipling classes to help them grow in their faith.

We got to meet and talk with several following the service.  Justin and I talked to one young man 24 yrs old who was condemned on death row for a violent robbery (most likely involving a murder).  When I asked him what his sentence was, he responded that he was "condemned".  I was honored to look him straight in the eye, with my hand on his shoulder and proclaim, you may be condemned by man, but as a child of the King of Kings, there is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION.  Never will I forget his smile or the smile of the many others who stood no longer condemned by God.  May it be so with all of us.  May you never be defined by what you did, but rather be refined and redeemed by the grace of Jesus.  

The Prison Praise Team was Awesome!

I will never be able to teach on the joy of the Lord without thinking about the joy I found in Kamiti. It has forever been etched into my mind and heart. So what is it that is stealing your joy these days?  Not your happiness necessarily, for it is circumstantial. But your joy? I would contend that it is worth contemplating and perhaps consider not getting so wound up about the things that aren't really worth that amount of energy. Fight against anything that steals your joy in the Lord and while you are at it, why not let your hair down a little, try not to be so serious and loosen up a little especially when coming before the Lord in praise and worship. It might just be contagious!

Peace
Dave