‘Our words stop but the Bible
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| Sister Siluana Vlad, who has a ministry among adult and teenage prisoners, brings Bibles to inmates in a cell in Craiova Prison. Craiova, Romania. Photo: Interconfessional Bible Society in Romania |
BUCHAREST, Romania — “Jitianu convent is a missionary one. We work for the Counselling and Education Centre, which is administered by Craiova Archbishopric. This is a new centre where we have volunteers who work with children and teenagers who have experienced drugs and violence. Although the work is only just beginning we are already seeing results in both the adult and teenage prisons.
At the young offenders’ prison we work with newcomers who are awaiting trial and are not used to being in prison.
Difficult days
With the chaplain, we try to help them cope with these difficult, early days, make them aware of God’s presence and help them see that their arrest could be a way by which they come to know God.
Many of them want to take part in the services. Some ask for prayer books and others want to go to confession. You can see a great difference between those who attend our program and those who don’t.
We also have a literacy program. We use the illustrated Children’s Bible for those who can’t read. After the lesson we ask them to draw and many of them copy illustrations from the Bible.
We try to teach them that it is still possible to remain righteous even in unrighteous surroundings. Many think that prison is a hell, but we know that our Saviour is with us, even in our darkest hour.
Sometimes prisoners confide things to me. After I have talked to them several times they begin to speak the truth... as a way of easing their conscience.
Repentance
At the adults’ prison we help the chaplain in his activities. We also run a counselling service for those serving life sentences and we have noticed incredible changes in the lives of four people who wanted to attend this program. Two were arrested for crimes committed during a Satanist ritual and now they have turned to faith and have shown repentance. Another young inmate, who is serving a life sentence, wants to become a monk!
The Bibles we get from the Bible Society are very helpful. Our words stop, but the Bibles carry on working in the cells. When moments of despair come during the long day, the prisoners can turn to the Bible and let it touch their hearts. Every time we meet each other we notice a considerable change.
We would like to begin a program for those who are going to be released, to help them prepare for life outside prison. We know that God works, because their attitudes are different. God’s Word is at work all the time – even if sometimes we are not aware of it.” (SR 29/7 - 4/5.02) [PHOTOS]