Colombian Prison

we organized to join with a church to go to a prison here in colombia. Its not the dramas that we presented, nor the preaching that was given that struck me. It was the worship. The holy spirit was moving in that place, and it was so incredible to see the inmates praising God with such joy, with such passion. There were really only a handful of Christians, and the rest were just there to get a sandwhich and pop which the church was bringing for this Christmas event. Nonetheless, God was in this place, and I could see that he was starting to break down walls and working in the hearts of seemingly the hardest of hearts, and I´m excited for all that is yet to come with these men and women. God really taught me something through this time of worship. Society looks at these people as not even people, they are ostrasized for what they have done, but they are still part of God´s creation. I feel like I was able to see these men and women, not as inmates but as something much more... as beautiful part of creation lifting up their voices to bring praise to their creator. And the only way that I was able to see this was through the loving eyes of the father.


For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a]neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[a]Romans 8:38 Or nor heavenly rulers
Romans 8:38-39

I don´t think that its coincidince that the first place that we went to was a prison, since Isaiah 61 is one of our team verses. I think that God was just giving us a tangible picture of the restoration that can occur when we go to glorify him.


1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

what is to be restored isnt just those who are physically devastated becuase of being in a prison or under poor living conditions, but those who are imprisoned in their mind, those who are living under an oppression, under spirits of insecurity and apathy among other things. But we are here to proclaim the freedom that is acailable and the restoration that comes in knowing and following Christ Jesus.