On Monday, August 31, a local Prison Chaplain who works with CAM travelled 77 miles from Lubumbashi to visit Buluo High-Security Prison. What awaited them was both sobering and deeply moving. The prison currently holds 1,033 inmates, including people as young as 16 years old. They were heartbroken to see such young lives caught up in crime, many of them coming from circumstances marked by poverty and limited opportunities. Behind the prison walls people needed far more than food and basic necessities – they needed hope, dignity, forgiveness and the transforming power of the Gospel.
Sharing hope
“We are grateful to God for His kindness and for the people who have been willing to give financially to help meet some of the needs. Their generosity enables us to reach people who might otherwise be forgotten. Our visit was not simply about providing practical assistance; it was an opportunity to listen, encourage and share the love of Christ with those who are often isolated from the outside world.
Among the inmates we are especially encouraged by the spiritual work taking place. In two weeks, we are planning to hold baptisms for 35 who have responded to the Gospel. This is a wonderful opportunity, and we ask you to pray that their faith will continue to grow and that their lives will be transformed as they follow Christ, even within the difficult circumstances of prison.”
Challenging conditions
The conditions on the ground remain challenging. Sleeping and eating arrangements are poor, and there is limited support from the authorities. The prisoners do what they can to provide for themselves, including growing their own vegetables, but they depend heavily on outside organisations for their staple food of maize meal.
Please pray that God will continue to open doors for ministry at Buluo and provide the resources needed to care for the prisoners. Pray also for the young people, and for everyone who serves in this difficult environment.
Most of all, pray that behind these prison walls, lives will be changed by the hope found in Jesus Christ.
