We began by hearing the prison choir which is actually quite good. They sing in Kiswahili and I am begining to catch on to some of the choruses. Then we moved into an impromptu time of singing, in which each tribe represented in the prison was able to get up and sing a Christmas song in their mother tongue and dance in a way native to their region. Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched each group get up and share from their heart, Kikuyu, Luya, Masaii... I felt the Lord speaking to my heart - "this is just a glimpse of what you will see in heaven.... every tribe and tongue will be represented - all will be singing my praises". I was so blessed by such a beautiful expression of love for our Lord. I had the chance to share with the women a bit when our team was introduced. I greeted them in Kiswahili and they cheered (I don't know if they are used to wazungo (white people) speaking Kiswahili). I told them that their dancing and worship blessed the women on our team, but more importantly it made the heart of our God in heaven pleased. He saw it as beautiful.
Yesterday, we had our second party at the main prison. I went with a small group to share sweet bread and soda with the women on death row. Kenya does execute its prisoners, so they are called "condemned." There were 43 women and I was able to share with them that they were beautiful. They really were - I know they must have done something horrific to be in such a terrible place for the rest of their lives - but I couldn't help but see them as beautiful and dearly loved by the Lord. Our fearless leader Alice and I had the opportunity to pray over a woman who was experiencing severe head pain, she had collapsed in a backroom on a dirty mattress. I hugged and greeted as many women as I could and during our closing time of worship I put my arm around one of the toughest looking woman I have ever seen. Her name was Esther. It took her only a second to wrap her arm around my waist. I held the tears back as we stood arm in arm praising our God together.
