Shaving heads of prisoners in Goma Central Prison for lice prevention
Shaken by Fear; Stirred by the Holy Spirit
Bringing God’s love to desperate prisoners in Goma
Dear Friends,
Our Heavens Family-supported chaplains in Goma, DR Congo are bringing God’s physical care and God’s amazing love to one of the worst, most feared prisons on earth.
Here is a quote from our contact working inside…
Fourteen Heaven’s Family-supported chaplaincy team members went to the Goma Prison Centrale Tuesday a.m. They were equipped with 6 jugs of disinfectant, those long-handled mop scrubbers, 250 pieces of soap, 40 pairs of pants and 40 t-shirts. And fear and trembling….
We had all been praying steadily as the prison houses about 1600 desperate inmates who all want help. After much back and forth, the inmate Chef de Sécurité said that he and his team could guarantee safety if they chose the 40 most desperate inmates for help this first time. After more conversation, they said they would order a latrine clean-up for 5 a.m. the following day and the chaplains would not have to do the work. The Director (who sometimes does not dare enter the prison for weeks) and the UN men were witnesses. About 150 men stormed the inmates who received the first help, but the inmate security team got them under control. The men were falling on their knees and crying with thanks. Simeon, our head chaplain, was visibly shaken.
More discussion and it was decided that there are 320 men who do not have both tops and bottoms, going around half naked or in rags, bugs visible on their skin, or suffering from old age. Chef thought it had been about 3 weeks since they had been able to wash.
The chaplains made a commitment to find more soap and disinfectant, and bring 300 pants and t-shirts. Everyone got out safely and Assani, the adult men’s prison chaplain, was scheduled to go back this a.m. for Bible study. He is doing that on a rotation basis, again regulated by the Chef de Sécurité.
Everyone was both shaken and moved by the intensity of the day and by God’s hand in all. Amazing.
Preparing disinfectant to scrub the living areas
Juvenile prisoners freshly bathed and de-liced, and wearing clean clothes
Heaven’s Family’s Prison & Rehab Ministry continues to win souls and make disciples in many prisons around the world. The needs are many, and at times overwhelming, but God’s love and provision for the prisoner is faithful and true. Many thanks to all those who have invested in the Prison & Rehab Ministry in 2015. Your reward in heaven is great!
Let me leave you with a couple of verses that drive this ministry:
Heb 13:3
Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.
Matt 25:39-40
“And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
May God richly bless you,
Bob Collins
Director, Prison & Rehab Ministry
