LIGHT FOR THE JOURNEY

AUGUST 2007
“CONNECTING HEARTS AROUND THE WORLD” – PART II

            The mission team of six women from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Pastors Jesse Rich and J.B. Toolitt, and I accepted gratefully the benches and chairs offered by the askari (prison guards) at Jinja Main Prison in Jinja, Uganda.  We were waiting for admittance into Main Section of the prison to present skits, the Gospel message and information about Prayer Warriors For Prisoners ministry.  As soon as the service ended in Main, we planned to present the same program for the men in Condemned Section which is death row in Uganda.   
            Pastor Jesse was perplexed as he had never waited more than a few minutes to enter the prison. After thirty minutes Principal Officer Joseph, who is fourth in charge of the facility, came in and barked a few orders.  Immediately a lot of activity within the walls stirred the askari escorted us through the main prison doors into the yard area where hundreds of men waited expectantly.  Across the yard on the concrete ledge of the lowest of three tiers prisoners had placed half a dozen tables end to end with blankets on top like table cloths.  Chairs and benches were set up behind the tables for their guests whom they treated like royalty.  We soon learned that all of the men sections Condemned (265) and Main (137) were allowed to attend the same service and Pastor Jesse reported this had not happened in his nine years in Uganda.  We were amazed at what God did.
            After we were seated behind the tables, Pastor J.B. gave an opening message and introduced the guests.  After the skits, J.B., beaming with pride, introduced his “Mama Jan”, the Prayer Warriors For Prisoners director from America.  (Rick and I have “adopted” J.B. and his family.  We love them dearly.)  As J.B. spoke lovingly about the ministry of prayer for prisoners, one of the prisoners interpreted.   Afterwards I shared more information about PWFP and gave a report on prisons in America.  Applause and shouts of joy erupted when I announced, “Prisoners in America send you greetings and gratitude because they know you are praying for them, and they are praying for you as well.  You must continue to hold each other up in prayer.”  When I asked how many had sent prayer requests to PWFP, a third raised their hands.  When I asked how many received Christmas cards more hands went up. They were excited to see a representative from Prayer Warriors For Prisoners because they have become familiar with the ministry and the blessings received on behalf of others’ praying for them and their joy of receiving cards from America.      
            The group of prisoners sang several songs for their guests.  One of the men played an udungu, a stringed instrument hand made from wood and covered with cowhide.  These instruments come in different sizes but this one was large enough for the musician to sit on while he played.  The men were pleased to share their musical talents and we were blessed to in receiving their gift. 
            After the service, several men came to me, some with tears of joy, to say they were corresponding with a prisoner or prayer warrior in America.  They had sent their love and greetings and were thrilled to receive word from those friends from across the world. 
            It is amazing how our Father looks on His children, knowing exactly the needs of each child.  He connects heartstrings with brothers and sisters in ways we never dream.  Who would guess a simple Christmas card could initiate a mentoring and discipleship correspondence, or birth an eternal friendship?  These men clearly love their brothers whom they have never seen but with whom their hearts are bonded.  Solomon offers insights on friendship such as the one found in Proverbs 27:9: Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.  And Job speaks of an even closer Friend with his heart cry in Job 16:20: My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend. 
© July 2007 Jan McLaughlin  All rights reserved.
Jan McLaughlin is Director of Prayer Warriors For Prisoners and can be reached at 719-275-6971 or by e-mail, prayerforprisoners@msn.com.