Today was the last day for Ryan and Teresa, Clint Campbell and Mark Buley, but we manage to squeeze in three hours with the boys at the Shikusa Boys Detention Center. I can’t tell you how much we love these boys and we are so delighted to be a part of their redemption. We came bearing many gifts but before we handed them out a worship band from the Kakamegatown Church led us in “raucous” worship. Our entire team came down off the platform to dance and celebrate with them. They led us in a conga line all through the building. It is a very rare thing for them to have such intimate contact with visitors from America– they loved it!
Following worship I gave each member of the team the opportunity to share something with the boys. I wish you could have been here with us to experience this. The Lord powerfully anointed each one of them and it was very, very moving. Ryan Bell, Simeon Obayo and I all share our “prison to praise” stories and the boys were very moved to see that someone can rise from the ashes of disaster and become whatever the Lord wants them to be. More than half of the boys prayed with me to receive Jesus and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is what it’s all about!
After our celebration we gave them a mountain of toilet paper, soap and disinfectant for their latrines. I’ll bet no one in America has ever seen a group of teenage boys clapping when they got soap for a gift! But alas, this is the way it is when a government views young prisoners as discards. After the toiletries we gave them candy, cookies and balls– basket balls, soccer balls, volleyballs and Frisbees. We have always brought them balls but today we brought more than ever.
The final thing was a basketball game between their best and our best. Fortunately for us we had five people who could still run around. The game was a toss-up but it was incredibly fun. Lucky for us their entire team plays with bare feet because they have no tennis shoes. Valerie promised that she would bring 25 pair of basketball shoes in the next few weeks. Thanks for making this possible through your donations.
What a marvelous time we are having! I know that your prayers are making a significant contribution to our fruitfulness here. Thank you so much.
As our four comrades head for home we are enjoying the first afternoon off of the entire week. End of week one!
