I was part of the Kairos team to Jo'burg South Ladies prison from 15 - 18 May. This time we were ministering to 42 participants from D-section (medium-term residents). There are only 9 in the maximum section that have not yet been on Kairos, so we have to wait until there are more there before we can minister in max. The impact of the various forms of Christian work at the prison is, from what I can see, amazing. Although the residents that come on the weekend do not really know what to expect and what it is all about, there is a tangible eagerness that underlies their initial discomfort and fear when we first meet them on the Thursday evening. From the time that I first became involved with Kairos there in 2002, I am aware of an atmosphere which is cleansed of animosity and tension. It's always a WOW experience to hear how the journey that we have them on for the weekend brings deep encounter with the Living God, healing and inner release from unforgiveness and rejection. As always, the testimonies at the closing ceremony on Sunday evening were very moving, and I could see that some of the first-time team members were really finding it difficult to say good-bye and move on. This is not the end for these residents - they form prayer and share groups and are encouraged to join other prison ministry opportunities like Alpha, to attend the services that are held regularly, and to attend the Kairos reunion meetings that take place every month.
One of the outcomes of Kairos is that they move on a journey from mistrust to trust through being formed, from the beginning of the weekend, into families (each with the name of a significant woman of the bible, like Lydia, Elizabeth, Hannah etc). these 'families' become prayer and share groups (in the outside world we call them cell-groups!!) and the residents begin supporting and caring for each other in a way that was not there previously.
Not everyone, of course, fully participates but there is always a change. One of the ladies that I 'sponsored' (i.e. welcomed to the weekend, paid special attention to, and kept checking how they were doing through the weekend) was quite open with me about how she isolated herself and would continue to do that - she gets up, when the cells are unlocked she goes to the library where she attends to her studies through Unisa, and at lock-up time retires to her bed and keeps to herself. She is intent on keeping a low profile and not causing any disruption in the hopes of an early parole. I really don't know if I could envision a sentence of say 10 years doing that. My prayer is that she will see the value of fellow Christian support and be a human amongst humans. Isn't that what being human is all about? - communication and community?
I pray that I have added value to that community beyond my ordinary labour.
One of the outcomes of Kairos is that they move on a journey from mistrust to trust through being formed, from the beginning of the weekend, into families (each with the name of a significant woman of the bible, like Lydia, Elizabeth, Hannah etc). these 'families' become prayer and share groups (in the outside world we call them cell-groups!!) and the residents begin supporting and caring for each other in a way that was not there previously.
Not everyone, of course, fully participates but there is always a change. One of the ladies that I 'sponsored' (i.e. welcomed to the weekend, paid special attention to, and kept checking how they were doing through the weekend) was quite open with me about how she isolated herself and would continue to do that - she gets up, when the cells are unlocked she goes to the library where she attends to her studies through Unisa, and at lock-up time retires to her bed and keeps to herself. She is intent on keeping a low profile and not causing any disruption in the hopes of an early parole. I really don't know if I could envision a sentence of say 10 years doing that. My prayer is that she will see the value of fellow Christian support and be a human amongst humans. Isn't that what being human is all about? - communication and community?
I pray that I have added value to that community beyond my ordinary labour.
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