The Bible at work in Seychelles’ prisons
SEYCHELLES – “It is amazing
that with all the hatred,
resentment and hostility that
exist here in prison, it is
where I have discovered
love,” says an inmate in the
High Security Prison in the
Seychelles. He is one of many
prisoners who have responded
enthusiastically to a
ministry carried out in both
of the country’s prisons by an
organisation called Friends of
Prison.
The ecumenical organisation,
started three years ago by Dr
Gilles Nageon de Lestang,
Chairman of the National Prisons
Board, holds weekly sessions
of Bible study and worship
at the High Security Prison. Dr
de Lestang says that he and other
members of Friends of Prison
have been “deeply encouraged
and surprised” by the eager
participation of the prisoners.
Life skills
The organisation also offers
counselling, support and life
skills training to the prisoners
and their families, and provides
Christian literature, music,
games, and educational material.
And their ministry is helping
to change prisoners’ lives. One
prisoner, who was serving a
four-year sentence, regularly
participated in the Bible study
and worship sessions. He found
that the Bible gave him hope for
a better future and inspired him
to work towards his dream of
becoming a teacher.
Role model
“He studied for and passed
his A-level exams while in
prison, and is now training to be
a teacher at the National Institute
of Education. He has become a
role model for many other prisoners,
and we give thanks to
God for this,” says retired Anglican
Bishop French Chang-Him,
who was instrumental in setting
up the Seychelles Bible Society,
and who is one of the church
leaders involved in the Friends
of Prison ministry.
He recalls a special visit he
and other members of Friends of
Prison made to the High Security
Prison.
Rehearsed
“Our group had rehearsed
some hymns, prepared a short
act of worship and brought some
snacks for the prisoners,” he
says. “But when we arrived, the
prisoners served us refreshing
coconut drinks that they had
prepared, sang Gospel songs
with gusto, and gave us such a
warm welcome that we were
moved to tears. We thought we
had come to minister to them but
they ministered to us!
“What was at the heart of the
prisoners’ spiritual awakening?
– A number of the prisoners,
some of whom are serving life
sentences, told us: ‘We do a lot
of praying in here. God is with
us.’ They have experienced
God’s presence and he is transforming
their lives.
Falling apart
“One young man came to me
with a request: ‘Please bring me a
new Bible. I spend a lot of time
every day reading mine, and it is
falling apart, as you can see.’”
Friends of Prison gives Bibles
to prisoners who request them,
buying them from Christian
bookshops. The Seychelles Bible
Society has also recently started
providing copies of the Kreol
New Testament for use in prison
ministry.
(WR 413/11 - 07.07)
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