Prison Visit

In Matthew 25:35-40 Jesus instructs his followers to visit those in prison, ending with the phrase, “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” I have always known this instruction, but I hadn’t participated in this kind of ministry before. On this trip we had the opportunity to visit nearly 1,500 prisoners at the Nakasongola prison. Though it was intense, the Lord really moved.

When I first arrived, I could not help but feel compassion on their dehumanizing environment. Just like prisons in the US, there were heavily armed guards, several locked doors, and bright yellow clothing for each inmate. I initially felt angry. People were being treated as dogs!

Though I was disgusted by the way they were treated, I too began to distance myself from them. As we entered the courtyard, I was intimidated by their songs, their smell, and the potential for a prison break. I quickly let all these externalities inform how I saw them. The special thing about this visit is the way God brought dignity to the prisoners while simultaneously helping me see them correctly. After spending several hours sharing songs, testimonies, and a game of soccer, I began to see them as people.

I loved shaking their hands at the end of the game because there was no longer a mental divide in my mind. Bringing laughter, physical touch, and looking them in the eyes was humanizing and healing. I believe this humanization is a major part of Jesus’ ministry. I’m really grateful to have this opportunity because I believe it makes a big impact. As we were leaving, the prisoners expressed that most visitors quickly come and go. They were very grateful for the amount of time that we spent with them, treating them as friends.