As we entered into the men’s prison in Kakata, we could hear the men shouting at each other for a variety of reasons. Two local pastors that represent the local chapter of Prison Fellowship had arranged with the warden for ANM Board Chairman, DC Lundy, and me to speak to the prisoners and provide practical aid.
As we entered into the cell holding area, we were struck by the absence of any provisions for the men. They were living in a 20’ by 20’ cell with 25 men to a cell. They had no beds, mattresses, blankets nor even a toilet or water to meet basic needs. We were allowed to speak to the men through the cell door to each cell. DC, a Liberian pastor named Coastboy, and I each took a cell to speak to the men. As we began to ask questions and listen, one man cried out “can God forgive me?” What had been a very noisy prison just minutes earlier had become very quiet. The men in each cell crowded around the cell door and sat down to listen to the reply to the desperate plea of one inmate.
We began to share with the men how God can forgive them and how He can restore them and give them a sense of nobility and dignity. It was amazing to see their responses – from tears, to joy, to a profound sense of need for Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives. When we gave the men a chance to pray to repent and believe in Jesus Christ we witnessed a mighty move of the Holy Spirit – 95 of 99 men wanted to trust in Christ.
Later that night, as we reflected on the day and the experience at the prison we spent time thanking God. We thanked Him that Prison Fellowship will care for these men. We thanked him that so many wanted a new life. We also were greatly moved that for the first time in prison, these men had blankets to cover themselves and sleep on. The men had no idea we had a truck full of practical material aid prior to our speaking with them. Each man received soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, socks, a blanket and the Gospel of John. They are now eagerly reading John and discussing what they read.
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