TT he finish of April 2024 marked my tenth month of incarceration at Makala Central Jail in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Every day passes, pondering that tomorrow I will probably be free. I do know the day I hope for will lastly come, as a result of I put my hope within the Grasp of time and circumstances. As he stated in Matthew 25:31-46, he’s additionally detained right here with me. When he’s captured, he’ll present the way in which to my launch. My hope is constructed on that rock.
I’ve been arrested in a legally irregular course of. I used to be falsely accused of calling individuals to arms in my japanese DRC area, I used to be in a video (submitted by my attorneys) selling a name for a ceasefire within the Nairobi course of. In truth, I used to be a part of that course of and I’ve been devoted to reaching peace and growth for a very long time.
After transferring from jail to jail and eventually to Makala, I joined the Meeting of God and a bunch of ordained prisoners who ministered right here with the donations and assets we might get.
Early on, I requested the committee about beginning a literacy class in prisons due to the massive quantity of people that have no idea the way to learn and write. The initiative attracted the eye of authorities and many individuals of humanitarian spirit.
About 100 individuals, women and men, girls and boys, are actually benefiting from this system, and greater than 50 have now realized to learn, write and rely. One grownup scholar stated, “I by no means anticipated to be taught to learn and write in jail. Thanks for this initiative.” Lots of those that didn’t have the chance to go to high school are from and grew up within the Kinshasa area to your servant (road little one).
When somebody in jail learns to carry a pencil and reaches the stage of writing, studying and counting, I really feel like singing to the Lord of time and circumstances.
A toddler prisoner requested the trainer, “Why cannot we run this system every single day? Studying is nice for us. It additionally retains me busy.”
One other grownup stated, “Now I would like a Bible that I can learn for myself.”
There are Bibles that we’ve efficiently distributed. They affect not solely Bible examine teams but additionally evangelistic teams I witnessed teams transferring from cell to cell with Bibles, studying and sharing verses.
Moreover the literacy class, in April, we additionally began a talent coaching class on making cleaning soap, detergent and disinfectant for 54 college students. The trainer can be imprisoned. We’re in a position to make use of these merchandise to enhance our personal sanitary situations.
Different initiatives embody a tree planting challenge, a local weather change course and a category on making paints and pigments.
A This system of labor theology, which I train, extends past prisons. One in every of our detained college students was launched weeks in the past and surprisingly, received a brand new job within the authorities. He known as me to request the syllabus, saying, “I wish to use it for provincial parliamentarians to be taught and apply.”
One other stated, “What I like about that is that you do not simply train about religious salvation; It additionally touches on bodily wants.”
I really feel very inspired. There may be a lot to speak about, as a result of God by no means ceases to shock us together with his “jokes”. He makes us chuckle.
On the Chaplains Committee, we face issues to unravel every single day, even when our personal issues are usually not but solved. There are individuals who lack fundamental wants like clothes, meals and medication. I’ve seen greater than a dozen individuals who wanted cash to settle authorized circumstances. They’re launched provided that they’ll elevate cash.
Specifically, I keep in mind how a household of 5, detained for over ten months, was launched and went house after we donated the mandatory funds.
In one other occasion, the music director of our church in Makala sat in my small room and defined his monetary issues. When an answer was discovered, he wept for pleasure and stated, “I sang to bless the church, and at this time I’m blessed!”
Being imprisoned would not make me much less human. I proceed to dream, to be inventive, and to be an individual who can flip conditions into alternatives. I’m made to positively affect my surroundings.
GThe race is mine; I’ve great roommates, which is a blessing—we share the whole lot and it builds our religion, hope, and friendship.
Moreover, I spend time in my plant nursery within the room. I eat the fruit and maintain their seeds, which I maintain in a plastic water bottle. It has additionally been a great way to attain peace of thoughts.
As I inform my roommates and my work class theology, nature is relative to us. My dialog with the surroundings dates again to my youthful self within the Nineteen Seventies the farm The (farm) potato space nonetheless bears my identify,”the spouselazaro(in Lazarus)
Once I was arrested, my medication was left behind. Later, my medication was introduced and proven to me, however not given to me to make use of. With out that medication, I’m nonetheless alive, though I’ve skilled many well being issues with out correct medical care. In all these conditions, God has been my healer and protector.
It is simple to get harassed with an insufferable way of life. I can assume just like the apostle Paul, How can I minister to the wants of others, and but my very own case stays unresolved and my wants unmet? However my reply is already written:
Thrice I begged the Lord to take it away from me. However he stated to me, ‘My grace is ample for you, for my power is made excellent in weak spot.’ Subsequently I’ll boast all of the extra joyfully about my weaknesses, in order that Christ’s power might relaxation on me (2 Cor. 12:8-9).
I really feel that the work of this ministry is stable, and it’s time to go house.
Lazare Sebitereko Rukundwa, an Assemblies of God member, based the Eben-Ezer College of Minembwe in South Kivu, DRC. He was a civil society consultant through the Inter-Congolese Peace Consultations in Nairobi. His household and the individuals of Minamba are ready for his launch.
