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 mentioned 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 reality, 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 shifting from jail to jail and eventually to Makala, I joined the Meeting of God and a gaggle of ordained prisoners who ministered right here with the donations and assets we may 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 best 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, at the moment are benefiting from this system, and greater than 50 have now discovered to learn, write and rely. One grownup scholar mentioned, “I by no means anticipated to study to learn and write in jail. Thanks for this initiative.” Lots of those that didn’t have the chance to go to highschool 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 day by day? Studying is nice for us. It additionally retains me busy.”
One other grownup mentioned, “Now I would like a Bible that I can learn for myself.”
There are Bibles that we’ve got efficiently distributed. They affect not solely Bible research teams but additionally evangelistic teams I witnessed teams shifting from cell to cell with Bibles, studying and sharing verses.
Moreover the literacy class, in April, we additionally began a ability coaching class on making cleaning soap, detergent and disinfectant for 54 college students. The trainer can also 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 all our detained college students was launched weeks in the past and surprisingly, bought a brand new job within the authorities. He known as me to request the syllabus, saying, “I need to use it for provincial parliamentarians to study and apply.”
One other mentioned, “What I really like about that is that you do not simply train about non secular salvation; It additionally touches on bodily wants.”
I really feel very inspired. There’s a lot to speak about, as a result of God by no means ceases to shock us together with his “jokes”. He makes us snicker.
On the Chaplains Committee, we face issues to unravel day by day, even when our personal issues will not be but solved. There are individuals who lack primary wants like clothes, meals and drugs. I’ve seen greater than a dozen individuals who wanted cash to settle authorized instances. They’re launched provided that they will elevate cash.
Particularly, I bear 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 mentioned, “I sang to bless the church, and right now I’m blessed!”
Being imprisoned would not make me much less human. I proceed to dream, to be artistic, 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 fantastic roommates, which is a blessing—we share every thing and it builds our religion, hope, and friendship.
Moreover, I spend time in my plant nursery within the room. I eat the fruit and preserve their seeds, which I preserve in a plastic water bottle. It has additionally been a great way to realize 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 Seventies the farm The (farm) potato space nonetheless bears my title,”to Lazarus(in Lazarus)
After I was arrested, my drugs was left behind. Later, my drugs was introduced and proven to me, however not given to me to make use of. With out that drugs, 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 suppose 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 mentioned to me, ‘My grace is ample for you, for my energy is made good in weak spot.’ Subsequently I’ll boast all of the extra gladly about my weaknesses, in order that Christ’s energy could 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.
