Today was spent at a children’s prison – yes, a prison for kids. An emotional roller coaster to say the least.
After a delicious breakfast at our hotel, our team was taken on an unforgettable and very humbling journey.
The first building that we visited was solitary confinement. Children are put in a room with concrete floors, no bed, no blankets, no bathroom, no water, and minimal food. They are locked in a room for two weeks, with the intention of breaking their spirits. Fingers poked out of the grate at the top of a door as we walked past. As I reached up and held this boy’s hand, I was overwhelmed at the horrible conditions this poor boy must endure. Please God, you put the lonely in families. Please give this boy joy. Show him your love, and help him to no longer feel the pain of what he must face each day.
My team was next given a tour of the bunkhouse for the children. Bunk beds fill the room; many without mosquito nets, the rest with gaping holes all over. No child is safe.
Due to mass overflow, half of the children don’t even have legitimate beds. A pile in the corner contains thin, spongy mattresses that they can pull down to sleep on at night. All, of course, are torn; holes in places where sponge material used to be.
The final room of our tour was the home of the innocent children at the prison. They were brought in from off the streets, all with their own story of how they came to be here. The conditions of these blameless children seem to me much worse than that of the prisoners. The children in this room do not come out. A pile of torn mattresses lies in the corner, as did the other room, but there are no bunks, no mosquito nets. A brick structure takes up another corner; so I’m told, they go to the bathroom back there. The children are locked in this room; their only possessions are the clothes that were on their backs when they were taken in.
We spent the morning with these children, praising God for his mercy and forgiveness. At one point, a few children raised their hands with questions… one asked for a pair of shorts… one asked for a Bible… one asked for us to pray over them. Hearts were heavy. God was ever-present. These children have so much to be frustrated about. They have almost nothing, but they still praise the Lord. They don’t take anything out on God; but rather see Him as merciful and forgiving, thanking Him with hands lifted high.
Next, our team pulled out all of our donations. A system was made to cycle the kids throughout the room, giving each a T-shirt, flip flops, a granola bar, a sucker, and a bracelet. The smiles on those faces were as bright as the sun.
Our final few hours at the prison were spent just hanging out with the kids. Many know quite a bit of English, and it was truly amazing to hear the stories of what they’ve gone through and where their faith lies.
I made friends, laughed, cried, was horrified, and saw things that will change my perspective on life forever.
God, thank you for these children. Thank you for bringing them to you and giving them joy despite their circumstances. I don’t know why you have them there, but you have certainly used their desolation to bring them to a place of passionately loving you.
Be with them tonight, and forevermore. Continue to draw them close to you. Help them to see that nothing brings peace and happiness like the love you freely give. Give them a hope and a future. Keep their dreams big, their hearts soft, and their smiles wide.
I love you, Jesus. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness and the joy that you bring. <3
No comments:
Post a Comment