MERCY MINISTRY VISIT TO KIGO PRISON ON 29^TH MARCH, 2009

Prison ministry is one of the life transforming ministries, because it not only gives one an opportunity to minister love, encouragement and compassion to the inmates but also a constant reminder to give thanks for liberty in terms of movement and being able to do whatsoever one wishes.

On the 29^th of March, 2009, Mercy Ministry was privileged to visit Kigo prison, one of Uganda’s formidable prisons on the shores of Lake Victoria. The morning greeted the team with a mild drizzle which was a great blessing after months of intense heat and humidity. The outreach team comprising of 5 brethren set off at 9:45 am and got to their destination towards 11:00 am. The team was received by the prison guard at the men’s section who later ushered them to the office of the Deputy Officer in charge (DOC). Although the DOC was equally receptive, he was also very stringent in observing Prison protocol. As a result, only those who fulfilled the red tape requirements were allowed to minister to the prisoners.

The team proceeded to the prison courtyard where they had to wait for all prisoners to undergo routine roll call known as FALLEN. Thirty minutes later, a section of the prisoners joined us under a tree for prayer. With a few introductions the team was ushered into reverberating praise accompanied by a guitar.

Brother Raphael Nguchie delivered his summon which climaxed into an altar call and to God be the glory, one soul was won to the Lord. With gratitude to the inmates, the team left them a few items like soap and sugar and moved on to the women section. However, on our way out the Prison warden encouraged us to sponsor sports tournaments such as football and even show Christian movies as entertainment and pastime activities for the inmates.

At the women’s section, the team was warmly received and ushered into a multipurpose hall. Within a few minutes, close to 23 women prisoners joined us and quickly burst into resonating praise punctuated by ‘ululations’. Brother James Mangeni seized the opportunity and delivered a heart to heart summon drawn from Jesus’ story of walking on water and bidding Peter to go to Him.

Like wise, he encouraged the women to go to Jesus and shift their eyes off the challenges they were facing and instead focus them on Jesus for strength. As we wound up with a prayer session for the ladies, two of them gave their lives to the Lord. To them also, we left few items which they received with much gratitude.

Thanks to VFI for its tireless contribution to this noble cause and to God be the glory.