We stood there, about to step into what felt like the Roman Colosseum, armed with only our Bibles and water bottles. The loud chants of the crowd and pounding of drums, we knew that this battle was not going to be an easy one. When the gates swung open and the bright light shone upon us, we stepped out onto the battlefield knowing that this fight was one that we must fight. Even though I am not the strongest or wisest among us, I was leading the charge. I had prepared all week to lead us into battle and was confident in my abilities, but still did not know how the outcome of the battle would be.
Okay… So maybe that was a little bit of an exaggeration of how today at the prison went, but I know for sure we fought a battle today. We fought a battle against Satan himself. We fought to restore the light in one of the darkest places you can imagine. We fought to share hope and love with people who have none. We fought to heal sickness, brokenness, and loneliness. But above all, we fought for these men so that they can have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Being able to speak in front of these men was something that I will never forget. I know for sure now that being a preacher is something that is not in my future! But I wasn't sharing something I had written, or made up. I was speaking truth to these men. At the end of the service when Sam, one of the preachers that goes with us, stood up and asked the people who wanted to accept Christ to come down in front. Eight men stood up and came down. i was shocked because I didn't think that I did very well so I didn't anticipate a strong reaction. But then I thought about it. It wasn't the person speaking it, it was the words that had been spoken. The word of God; not mine. It wouldn't have mattered if I had been the greatest speaker to ever live, or had barely gotten the message across. The most important thing is that these men heard the word, and by hearing the word, the Holy Spirit takes it from there. I know for a fact that anyone on my team could have given the same sermon I gave, I just happened to be the one to give it.
There is a darkness in the Lira prison, but each week the light seems to be shining more and more.One thing is certain, even the smallest amount of light can cut through seemingly impenetrable darkness.
