Our 2nd Season

WE SPENT THE MORNING IN AN AFRICAN PRISON. Let that sink in.

Today, we visited a “debtors prison” in Waterloo, Sierra Leone. Men and women are housed together because they have (or have been accused) of having debts they cannot pay. Essentially, they are in prison because they are poor. Naturally, it is likely more complicated than that. They may have committed fraud or the like, but, if they had enough money they’d pay the debt and be free. One debt described was a million Leones ($43,000 US) another was 3,000 leones ($131). It could be months or even years before family raises wnough money to release the debt. Hard to imagine.

We learned a lot today. As we entered the hot and humid church, smelling of unabathed men, we heard praying, then singing. Joyful singing. You ask yourself, “Are these men actually happy?” The answer is yes. Not with their circumstance, but they are happy to be alive and able to praise God together.

We were welcomed with warmth and there was no tension or fear.

Mercy Ships has an initiative called Mercy Ministries. It is another effort to serve others as Christ has called us to do. We partner with an orphanage, the prison, and also a school for children with disabilities (more on this in another post). It was good to see and help in this work today. I think the prisoners appreciated our time and attention. Certainly they were glad for our prayers.

MATTHEW 25:6 reminds me, “When I was in prison you visited me.”

Amen.

PS There are no photos of the prisoners out of respect.