We traveled to Tacna the day before the team was to arrive. The next morning, Saturday, a group of ladies and I traveled to the jail in Tacna to give out tracts and preach. This was a new place for me. I had heard stories about the worst that might happen during the inspection before entering the area where the prisoners were located. Ladies were required to wear a skirt which fell two inches below the knee. I found myself along with three other ladies renting an appropriate skirt and changing behind a building. They are strict about what each person wears because many women hide weapons, drugs, and other things prohibited under their skirts. I am not sure I was prepared beforehand about the feelings which would come over me. It is one thing to live overseas and know your rights are not the same as your home country. When we entered the jail, it was total loss of control. We had to completely submit to their rules.
Our group was split up and the leader who is well-known by the guards was not in my group. There was just enough time of separation to make me begin questioning why in the world I was even there. As I surrendered my passport to the guard and received a second stamp, I knew the inspection area was coming. I prayed for favor like never before. Praise the Lord just in time we were rejoined with our group. Our group leader summoned me over and explained to the lady officer why I was there and what we were doing. I entered into the room with the guard, she did a quick pat down, and let me go...as I passed through the door to enter the general population...I heard the Lord speak softly..."I am with you." The fear I felt before melted away and I was honored to serve Jesus in a place many would not care to go. Matthew 25:36 references some of the places we might be Jesus to others. One such place is to prisons. You'll certainly find His presence in the harder places.
We realized quickly we were at a men's prison. It was visiting day for them and this was a chance to see them as people who had made mistakes somewhere along the way. After passing out tracts, we went into the chapel. As we entered in and the service began, I heard my name called to preach the message. The Lord was with me and I talked to them about how important their role was despite their location. They will leave behind an inheritance. What would their families inherit from them? The only inheritance worth leaving is what we have stored up in heaven. Jail could either be a detour where the Lord could put them on the right track or it could be a final destination depending on their future choices. We prayed for them and made our exit. The following day the men from the mission group traveled to minister at the prison and the Lord worked among them mightily.
Our stamps were all we had as a reminder of where we had been. However, the Lord stamped our hearts with a new vision of what His heart looks like. It's getting out of the church and in to the world.
