Kakamega Prison, Bungoma, and Busia

We visited 2 branches of the Kakamega prison. The men’s prison has over 1,000 inmates, with everything from short sentences to death sentences. The women’s prison only has about 160 women, plus about 20 children. The children are not there because of offenses that they have committed, but rather to stay close to their convicted mothers.

First we spent about an hour with the men’s and women’s chaplains. These folks get paid very little, and have challenging working conditions. They don’t even have a tent to gather groups of people, or a computer to do their own work or be connected to the outside world. Prisons are very underfunded, and the chaplains office is no exception. Their commitment is unquestionable.

We then met with a group of about 30 men, during the regular “Thursday meeting”. We distributed more of the “Free on the Inside Bibles”, along with flip flops, t-shirts, and soap. The men were extremely grateful for all of the gifts. The men also promised to pray for our adoption, and also for the government of Kenya.

Having "church"

Receiving soap...

Sundi getting in the action

Next we met the women as a group. First they did a play for us, then we spoke about God’s grace and forgiveness. About 15 women decided that they wanted to choose God’s path over their own. We also passed out the other half of the supplies that we had brought, plus a handful of Bibles. It made us absolutely sick that we did not have more to offer them.

Overall, we found that the hospitality we have experienced in Kenya is just as strong within the prisons as it is on the outside.

One more very cool story. As we were leaving the IDP camp in Busia, the officer in charge at the local police station asked us to do an impromptu “talk” with 20 detainees—15 men and 5 women. We gave a very brief chat about God being a God of both justice and mercy. We also spoke about how God loves them completely right now, and could not possibly love them any more even if they had lived a perfect life…..Bwana Yesu kupenda kabisa, kabisa. One of the men interrupted our talk to ask us how to become a Christian. Two other men hit him and told him to wait, that I was about to tell them….then anxiously fixed their eyes on us. As we wrapped up, Caleb asked if anyone wanted to choose to follow God, and instantly every man’s hand shot up. We are limited in our ability to follow up with these men, so all we can do is pray….but I believe that God can make something good out of each and every one of their lives. That’s God’s business, after all—changing lives.

SHAMELESS PLUG-- We really help by getting a volunteer Kenya prison partner in America. No prison time required. See Jeromy for details!

In Busia (on the Uganda border) we visited Pastor Charles. His family and two other couples take care of 20 orphans.

We also visited Caleb's parents out in Bungoma. No electricity and no running water-- but plenty of hospitality and warmth. Their church also has a group of orphans that they are helping to care of.

Tomorrow is our next day in court….thanks for your prayers!