Nairobi Prison's Were Not What I Thought They Would Be!

I arrived expecting to see horrific conditions in the prisons of Nairobi, Africa. I had read notorious accounts of prison life and the terrible conditions of the prison. What I experienced and saw were quite unexpected...

My first invitation to preach was at the Industrial Area Remand Prison. As much as I would have liked to share photos with you, it is forbidden because of security reasons. (This is standard in most prisons around the world.)

My first impression when I came through the gate was the outer courtyard was different than some prisons. It was well landscaped and manicured. The officers I met were friendly and courteous. (Which isn't always the case in prisons.) I was thinking to myself; "I'm sure it is not like this on the inside, deep within the prison walls? Can it be this orderly and clean?"

We had to wait quite awhile before we were ushered into the actual prison. Security is high and for good reason. This "Remand" prison is the place where people who are arrested go and wait for their court hearings. In Africa this system can be multiple years at best. There are over 600-900 male inmates being held here at any given time.

As I entered inside the prison walls I was suspicious, expecting filth, decay, unlivable conditions. As I followed the officers around the corner, the first thing I saw were several inmates watering down the floors and sweeping them clean in the outdoor courtyard. I was surprised as they led me into the “actual” living quarters of the inmates to speak to the male juveniles. When I looked around, I noticed the bunk beds were properly made and the rooms were surprisingly in order. Please keep in mind, this is still a prison but well maintained.

What God did was amazing. Throughout the Gospel message, you could see God touch each those young hearts.  All but two of these juveniles got on their knees at the end of the message and surrendered their lives to Jesus. “They arrived as boys and will be leaving this prison as men of God.”  Awesome!

I was later ushered to the main outdoor courtyard where I spoke to the adult population. There were men throughout the courtyard curious as to what this blonde-haired, white woman was going to say. The officers asked me to come around to the other side of the fence that partitions off the courtyard. I was surprised to discover this is where I was to give the message... on the other side of this fence partition. This was a new experience for me, to preach with a chain-link fence between the inmates and myself.

I was concerned my voice would not project enough for all to hear without a microphone. Realizing the conditions, the team quickly prayed for my voice. Not only did God project my voice like an amplifier... but I could hear it echoing off of the walls throughout the entire prison! Despite the many obstacles, God did a great work  - He flowed through that prison like a mighty river, and many men came to Christ!

Afterwards, it is proper to say hello to the officials in charge in Africa. We could learn from this practice in America. I was escorted out to meet the Commissioner of the entire Providence. A Providence is similar to a very large and heavily populated county in the U.S.  I also met the Commanding Officer of the Industrial Area Remand Prison. 

When I was escorted into their offices, I was overjoyed to be greeted by impressive strong leaders... who to my surprise... both happen to be women!  This excellence in leadership and prison appearance is accomplished because the top level of leadership in Nairobi prisons is run by quality women... (and men) of excellence!

Thank you Jesus - these inmates deserve our very best!

"Hell's Best Kept Secret" in Evangelism!

What is Hell's Best Kept Secret in evangelism? 

I believe we have done an injustice in how we share the Gospel with people on the streets and in prisons. We either tend to bend too far in one direction or too far in the other.


In one direction... we tend to share the "Cotton Candy" message of the Bible; the mercy, grace and sweet taste of... "Do you want a better life with Christ?" 

Don't get me wrong, this is an important part of scripture, but it is the "Frosting" of our faith not the long-lasting meat.  

This message does not teach the entire truth of the Bible. It does not save and often brings a false conversion lacking substance. 

At the first glimpse of trouble, these believers fall away feeling embarrassed that they believed and that this loving God has not protected them from the hard times.




In the far opposite direction... we pound the Bible over inmate's heads and only emphasize they are all sinners bound for hell. I can confidently say this approach doesn't work. Most inmate's have heard countless times that they are outcasts of society and they feel hopeless. 

Please tell me, what is attractive about the Gospel when hell and damnation is the core message? Who would even bother coming to church when they feel condemned and rejected by God.

Hell's Best Kept Secret... 
We are not leading the conversation like Christ. (Matthew 19:16-22)

So what's wrong? We fail to take the time to prepare the soil properly. 

I have found in sharing the Good News, inmates need to have the hard "soil" of their souls stirred and prepped before they receive the Truth of the Gospel. 


This method of stirring the soil is so effective, that even last week when I was street evangelizing in Tel Aviv, Israel, a muslim and several Jews stood still and listened intently. I believe God can use this style of sharing in a loving, fun way to prepare their hearts to say "YES" to Jesus.

 

Sharing with a young Jewish woman in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Notice the officer watching and waiting for me to do something wrong so he can stop me.
We were having a fun conversation and laughing using this method.

I am listening intently to the woman share her concerns.
God allowed me to lead her all the way to the throne of God.
She said; "This is interesting and it all makes sense." 
She was amazed when I mentioned maybe this was a God appointment.

This Orthodox Jew was thinking and listened intently.

She hugged me and was grateful I shared the Gospel Truth with her.

Do you dare to try it? This is the same method Jesus used in the Bible as our example. When the soil is prepared using God's Ten Commandments, which is His standard for righteousness, seeds grow where they are planted.

I recently role played this method in front of hundreds of inmates with a team member during our prison church. It was powerful! You could feel God's Spirit flowing through the prison. It works!

To take it a step further, this upcoming church service I am planning on teaching this method of evangelism to the inmates themselves, they will then have tools to minister inside of the prison.

Plain and simply... God's way works!

Here is the free video link for your reference. www.wayofthemaster.com/videolessons.shtml

Check out the first and the last video: 

"Hell's Best Kept Secret." and "W.D.J.D."    

The first video shares "why" we need this approach and the last video shares the "how" to share the Gospel.

Why reinvent the wheel? Instead use Christ's example? It is an easy and effective way to share with everyone the Gospel.

If you dare... will you allow God to use this method to love the inmates to the cross in prisons around the world! 

These inmates deserve our very best!



It just doesn't get any better than this!

Shug