My Time in Jail (Brasil Part 3)

2012-01-16T11:36:00.000-05:00

Friend/Co-Worker: "How was your trip to Brazil? "

My Response (stolen from teammate Bob): "The trip was great, we finished the playground , but that wasn't the highlight. The highlight was when we visited a prison "

It's true. Friday December 9, 2011 , the day my team spent at a juvenile detention center in Sao Paolo was by far the best part of the entire trip....way more so than the satisfaction derived from finishing the playground (our original goal/purpose), hosting a Christmas party for kids, eating at a Brazilian steakhouse, feeding monkeys bananas, or even playing Brasilian Bacci.

Originally when we were told that we were going on a road trip to jail, I was hesitant and also a bit frightful. Open Arms, who visits the jail on a monthly basis, gave us strict instructions before our arrival. "Take off all earrings, watches, earnings, bracelets, or anything else that can be grabbed . Ladies, make sure to wear loose clothing that covers as much as possible. You will also be given a full sheet to wear to make sure your curves are all covered. These young men never see women and we don't want them to go wild. Oh and by the way, these 11-21 year olds are in jail for a variety of crimes (drug trafficking, theft, armed robbery, stabbing, etc) but be sure not to ask them why they are in jail." GULP. What on earth did I sign up for? I immediately suggested to our leaders that each guy pair up with a girl to serve as an impromptu bodyguard that would be on the look out for any suspicious behavior and be ready and prepared to pounce/save us as need be. I took a deep breath, and figured I would be okay.

When we arrived at the facility, we were escorted through various security check points, leaving all passports, wallets, cell phones at check in. After a brief pat-down, we walked down a narrow nondescript corridor and were lead through a door which I had assumed was taking us to a secured room, partitioned by plexi-glass , with the inmates on one side sporting hand/ankle cuffs, and the volunteers safely on the other side. WRONG. The door opened up to an outdoor courtyard where 60+ inmates, in white tshirts hunter green shorts, and blue flip flops , were sitting in white plastic chairs sans cuffs of any kind! The leaders in front of me began tracing the u-shaped chair formation, shaking hands with and greeting the inmates one by one. My heart was racing, and I was adamant on sticking to my "no eye contact, no smiling" policy in order to avoid trouble, so I told my bodyguard Tucker that I didn't feel comfortable proceeding. I took a few steps backwards onto the dying grass, kept my eyes on 30 foot concrete walls topped off with barbed wire that enclosed the premises and eagerly waited for the greetings to finish.

I felt more at ease when I noticed a guard in each corner and Open Arms volunteers started playing worship songs. I was surprised by the number of inmates that knew the songs we were singing and were actively participating. After the songs, one of the inmates got up to share a song that he had wrote. In front of everyone, this inmate began singing something along the lines of "I need Jesus. I have been forgiven. My life has changed. I want to live for Him" , but in Portuguese of course. WOW. That guy had courage. I guarantee you I would never stand up in front of my friends, especially ones who could beat me up, and sing about my decision to want to know God. What's more, it was a very rude awakening of the wrongful judgment that was going on in my heart. There I was, only 10 minutes before, second guessing my decision to come to the prison, thinking our time would be fruitless, our efforts wasted, because these inmates were beyond reproach and somehow unworthy of being given a second chance. But you know what, God doesn't grant second chances, he grants INFINITE chances, and it's never too late to come to the Lord. Because we are saved by grace through faith, and not by works, it's irrelevant if we are at the end of our life, and don't have time to repent and do good works. As long as we believe that Jesus is our savior, we can have the promise of eternal life in paradise with God.

"Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” " Luke 23:32-34;39-43

I was even more taken aback, by what happened next. Eduardo, a volunteer with Open Arms delivered a sermon to the inmates. I didn't understand what he said (all Portuguese), but I noticed how all the inmates were fixated on his charisma and his ability to relate to the inmates. The reason Eduardo was able to capture the audience so well was because, just 5 years before, Eduardo was a prisoner at the same facility. Eduardo spent 1.5 years in the Sao Paolo detention center for multiple counts of armed robbery. When Eduardo was in jail, the only letter he received was from Marcelo, his old PE teacher, who happened to be an Open Arms volunteer. When Eduardo got out of jail, he visited Marcelo, and eventually gave his life over to Christ. From there, we were told that he has since led hundreds of people to Christ and completely turned his life around. I was shocked when I heard this. From meeting Eduardo, he seemed like the nicest guy and I almost didn't believe that his past really was his past. It was just such a perfect reminder of how God's mighty power and capability to change ANYONE. [case in point, Paul (formerly Saul) , who wrote the majority of the New Testament, used to who used to imprison Christians and witness Christians being stoned to death for their beliefs]

"While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of their killing him." Acts 7:59-60 Acts 8:1

"But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. " Acts 8:3

Seems hard to believe right? What's even more comforting is knowing that God can work with any past mistake(s) to bring Glory to His name.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28

In fact, it was Eduardo's idea and initiative that propelled Open Arms to start the prison ministry. After Eduardo's sermon, Steve, a guy from our team shared his story about how he came to know the Lord. His story was also full of redemption and served as another powerful witness to the transformational power of the Holy Spirit to radically alter a person's life. After this, and another short sermon, the inmates were invited to come to the center if they wanted someone to pray over them. About 70% of the inmates came to the center, a few even in tears. So did the inmates accept Jesus into their life? Maybe, maybe not. Only time will tell.

The rest of our time at the prison was spent playing with the inmates. Although football and soccer was available, I went with the contact free activities (ping-pong and checkers). While getting schooled multiple times in checkers, it became very apparent that these boys were no different than me. The boys and I are both broken and in need of love. Not one of us is worthy or deserving of God's love. We have all done things that are displeasing to God. Yes, I might not have broken state/federal laws, but in God's eyes I have done things equally as bad as the prisoners (how about idolizing things other than God (family, relationships, money), or failing to love my neighbor as myself?). I left that day feeling overwhelmed by God's grace in my life, and His unending love for me that never runs out in spite of all the times I have broken His laws and deserved to be put in an eternal jail. Thank you Jesus for saving a wretch like me.

You know you love me- XOXO Gospel Girl

My Time in Jail (Brasil Part 3)