My beautiful friend Jemima and I were in Jinja, Uganda with Rivers of Life Ministries. One afternoon we headed to Bugembe Prison with two leaders from the ministry and the prison pastor.
Security checked us as we came in, and led us into a concrete room where we met with men and women serving time in the prison. Within the group of men were some who already knew God and led us in worship. What a gift this time was. Beautiful voices and the deep, varied sounds of hand drums. After worship, we prophesied over them, prayed and laid hands on them. Jemima then spontaneously announced that her and I would be singing a significant song over them, Good Good Father.
The group of men was about four to five times bigger than the group of women, of which there were probably around five, and they were seated to our left. Until we sang Good Good Father, each time I looked to my left towards the women, a particular woman seemed to intentionally avoid eye contact with me. As we began to sing a shift like I did not expect happened in her. Not long after we began I turned again towards her and saw her head lifted up. She looked deep into my eyes. From my perspective, it looked like her soul was filled and overflowing with joy, love, thankfulness and connection. Her countenance had completely shifted, and continued to glow for the rest of our time with them. I wish I knew more about what had happened in her during that song, but either way, I am truly amazed at the beauty of what God’s love can do in a moment.
Towards the end of our time with them, Jemima shared a powerful message about the prodigal son and asked if anyone wanted to give their lives to Jesus. As far as I could see, it looked like everyone but the worship team raised their hands, and we prayed with them. Praise the Lord!!!
Prison ministry has a special place in my heart, because the reality of the gospel is that our souls are set free regardless of our circumstances. We get to live in the reality of the freedom that Christ bought for us on the cross regardless of the place we are standing in. Eternity is to know Him, and we get to begin to know and experience the truth and reality of who He is now. He is goodness, kindness, patience, self-control. He is gentleness, faithfulness, peace and love. He is joy, and His joy is our strength.