The Prison

Today about twenty people visited the prison. According to all who went, it was an amazing, interesting experience.

Before arriving, the group packed little bags with toothpaste, toothbrushes, and soap.

When the group arrived, there was a bit of a delay entering due to a new manager not knowing the proper procedure. While waiting, they played cards with some of the prisoners. Our group was taught a new way to play Go Fish without ever saying "go fish".

It was soon discovered that the prison in Honduras is much different than the ones in the States. The prisoners wore regular clothes, thus it was hard to tell the prisoners from the visitors. If a prisoner does not have family or friends to bring him food, then he eats beans, rice, and tortillas three times a day. Will talked to one man who does not have family or friends. The man stated it was a pretty tough life when there is no family or friends. There were little pulperias inside the prison where the prisoners can buy food and other things if they have the money or have someone bringing them money.

The biggest difference that everyone saw was that there are also churches inside the prison. There was a Catholic Church, a Church of Christ and probably others. Each church had its own little area complete with pews, a microphone, a baptistry. It was noted there was a little chart that told who led singing, who served communion. Sounds like home, doesn't it?

Ryan said that he never felt intimidated or threatened. Everything felt safe. A couple of songs were sung in spanish and then a couple in english. Wesley was asked to preach, and preach he did. There were seven baptisms and two that asked to be restored.

There were at least three Americans in this Honduran prison, one from New Orleans, one from Pennsylvania and one from somewhere I don't remember. Perry visited with each of these three men and said the conversations were interesting.

The married prisoners are allowed to have their wives come two times a month. There are little hut-like things set up that are covered with sheets or blankets during these visits, possibly explaining why there are babies in the prison.

There are about 3000 men prisoners. Will said the ones that have become Christians have a greater comraderie than the others and that they seemed to be a pretty tight little group.

The group then went into maximum security. Some stated they were a little bit afraid and a little bit excited about going into maximum security. All they did there was hand out some of the care packages.

After maximum security, the group went into the women's side. There are 117 women prisoners and about 60 are Christians. Again, it was noticed there was friendship and comraderie among the Christian prisoners.

Most agreed the women looked a little healthier than the men.

A woman can keep her baby in prison with her until the child is two years old. Today there were ten babies in the prison. The women that had babies said it was hard to get diapers and enough formula. One lady asked the group to take her baby because she did not know what would happen to her baby when he turned two. How sad.

Some of the women gave their testimonies and again, Wesley preached. Two women made the decision to be baptized and one was restored.

The group from the prison was very excited about the events of the day. This is something we definitely will do again.

In addition to the prison visit, one house was built today and one group bought fresh fruits and vegetables, packed them and delivered them to 200 families.

It has been another great day in Honduras.

Terri