During my stay in Kampala, Uganda, I had the opportunity to visit Luzira Prison with Douglas and Joseph. This is the third time that I have been to Luzira prison. Luzira was the first prison that Bibe Way was allowed to work in and it is the biggest. It actually has several wards, or separate prisons within the one main prison: Remand, Murchison Bay, Women, Upper Prison, Condemned Prison.
Remand Prison is for those who are awaiting trial. They are yet to be convicted. In fact, many of these men are innocent. Some one accused them of a crime and they are here awaiting trial. Our teams was told by the Head of the Prison in Nakasongola that some men have been placed in his prison because a neighbor made up a story against them so that he could take their land while they were in prison. Did it work? Yes. Upon leaving prison these men found they had no home to go to. Everything had been lost. And they had done absolutely nothing wrong. So it is with some of the prisoners in Remand.
Murchison Bay is for those who have gone to trial and have been convicted.
Women’s Prison is for – women. Women who are awaiting trial. Women who have been to trial and found quilty. Women who have been condemned of capital offenses and are on death row. Which means that only men are in the other prisons of Luzira.
Upper Prison is for those who have been convicted of capital offenses and for political prisoners.
Condemned Prison is for those on death row. They have committed crimes worthy of death.
Currently, Bible Way is working in all but the Condemned Prison of Luzira.
We were allowed to pass through the outer gates with no problems. By now the men of Bible Way are well known to the guards. We passed through two gates, parked the Toyota Pajero, left our cell phones and all unnecessary items in the vehicle, and walked through a third gate into Remand Prison.
We were given the guest book and Joseph pointed out to me where I had signed the book in January 2009 with a team of volunteers from Mt. Zion Baptist Church. It really didn’t seem like five months had passed.
There were about 125 men already gathered under two large Mango tree awaiting us. We had a great time with them. They sang and testified. Six prisoners gave really good testimonies of God’s grace. Others wanted to, but due to time restraints, where unable. I have no reason to doubt the truth of these men’s word. We were in the open and many could hear these men profess faith in Jesus Christ. This takes boldness.
When it was time for me to share, I ask how many of them had been there in January when I was there. Only two raised their hands. Well, there was really three. Emmanuel was with us. In January, Emmanuel was sitting before me clothed in yellow. He was an inmate. Today, he returned to Luzira as a helper. He works at the Bible Way center and wants to help in the prison ministry. Decisions made in prison can be life changing. Genuine. Real. It was for Emmanuel.
I shared for Ephesians 3:7-8. Paul declared himself to be the least of the apostles. Paul never felt worthy of God’s grace. He knew his past. Joseph had shared with me before we entered the Prison that when they counseled with the men many questioned how God could forgive someone like them. So, I spoke on God’s grace that mystifies us. We are never worthy. We never deserve it. But God freely gives it.
I made three observations to the men: 1. God’s grace forgives. 2. God’s grace changes our lives. 3. God’s grace give us a place and purpose in His Kingdom. We have a reason to live.
I ask Joseph to challenge the men to commit to faith in Christ who had never humbled themselves before Jesus. Twenty men immediately rose to their feet and stood before their peers when he challenged them. Douglas pulled these guys to the side and counseled with them while we concluded the time with the men. These men are now enrolled in Bible Way and will begin working though Book One: Who Is Jesus. I pray they continue though all twelve books.
I ask you to pray for these men. Are they saved? Only God knows. Only He can see into their hearts to know if they meant it when they rose to their feet to give Him their lives.
But I do know that some men who have given their lives to Jesus Christ while in Remand though the witness of Bible Way, now work beside Bible Way to help other prisoners come to faith in Jesus Christ. Maybe one of these men will be another one. Another Emmanuel. I pray so.
