Christmas joy dispels the dark and cold of prison life

By Dominique Donzelot, Europe-Middle East Area Management Coordinator

KAZAKHSTAN — Her name could be Tania, or Valentina, or Nathalia, or Nadiejda. She is in prison somewhere in the heart of Kazakhstan, Zangistobe perhaps, or Zaugashty. With the loss of her freedom has come the loss of her family. They write to her, and even visit sometimes, but nothing can replace actually being with them. The days seem very long and empty to her, especially in winter, and the prison is cold and gloomy.

A prisoner with Bible Society Scriptures [photo: UBS/Dominique Donzelot WR409/18 KAZ06DJ-11]

She was recently invited to join a program run at the prison. Its name – Angel’s Christmas Tree – puzzled her at first, as did the fact that she had to complete a questionnaire before attending any of the program’s events. Having nothing else to do, though, she accepted the invitation. The first event was the showing of a video called The Ten Commandments. When she first heard the French soundtrack and saw the German subtitles, she wondered if she had made a mistake in accepting the invitation. But the music soon grabbed her attention and she started to understand and enjoy the story. Moses, Pharaoh: many Bible characters came to life for her in that chilly hall.

Happy faces

The video is just one part of Angel’s Christmas Tree, she was told afterwards. In fact, it is the children of the women like Tania who participate in this program who are its main focus. They each receive a Christmas gift in the name of their absent mother. The giving of the gift is recorded on video, so that, later, the mothers can gather again to watch the children’s happy faces. On this occasion, they share each other’s joy and also receive a gift for themselves. Angel’s Christmas Tree, run by the Bible Society in Kazakhstan with the Prison Ministry and local churches, has proved so successful that the prison wardens have asked to be included. Now their children receive gifts, too. The Bible Society often includes children’s biblical materials with the gifts, while the parents, whether prisoners or wardens, receive a Gospel or Portion.

(WR 409/18 - 03.07) [3 photos]