Maula Prison

Saturday morning a group of us went to the Maula Prison here in Lilongwe.  The prison has a women's side with ~ 40 women and some of their children.  The men's side has ~2000 men. The women actually have it pretty good. Some previous groups of 'well wishers' has made sure they have adequate food and clothing. The men are not so lucky. They sleep 200 in a cell built for 60. The have one meal a day - nsima and beans. Each cell block has one toilet ('drop type') with a shower head above it, they sleep on the floor. If you do a search for Maula Prison on the internet, you can see more photos and get more information. Generally, they do not allow pictures to be taken when you visit. However, because we were 'distributing', they allowed photos. Some previous visitors to Malawi had sent clothing to be given out and funds for soap. Each prisoner is supposed to get one bar of soap a month - for all their needs (bath and laundry). They also tend to have few clothes - maybe one outfit of shorts / pants and T shirt. The 'trustees' get a white jumpsuit.  These prisoners are all mixed in together until their trials - so you have a murderer next to a  teen who stole a chicken. HIV / AIDS and TB is common. They have a metal building for their 'clinic', but because it is metal it becomes an oven in the hotter months. No meds can be stored there. The HIV and TB patients are supposed to get their meds everyday but I am doubtful that happens. Charles Musuka, an ABC student (senior) has felt he is called to the prison ministry. He coordinated this trip, as he did the trip last year. You may recognise him as Joseph's translator, also. He has started a non-profit, along with a couple of American missionaries, to reach out to these prisoners, as well as other prisons in Malawi. He currently spent his 'holiday' teaching at the prison, and goes on Saturdays to preach at the church he has on the grounds. He has about ~200 men who attend. Some of the local missionary ladies go to the women's side weekly to do Bible studies. We did a clinic there last year, and our plans are for another clinic this coming Sat. Norwegian scabies is a major health problem there - we were unprepared for the extent of the disease last year, but hope to be more prepared this time. Monday I will go to the Intermed warehouse to get scabies medicines, along with other drugs for the clinic. There are at least 100 cases of severe HIV/AIDS in the prison, most of whom have the scabies. We will also give out vitamins to all that we can.

For the distritbution yesterday - every woman got a bar of soap and at least one piece of clothing, along with a tract and a pamplet.  For the men - all the church members who came got soap, tract and pamplet. The members of the church who were among the 'sick' (i.e. HIV and / or TB) also got clothing. There was prayer and singing with the women, and preaching for the men - along with prayer and singing. Being in a small concrete / brick building with ~200 men singing aceppella and clapping is quite an experience. We were blessed by this event - the kindness of the donors, the appreciation of the prisoners, and the unadulterated worship of the Lord, Jesus Christ, in the midst of misery.

Praise:
Opportunity to sing and praise God with the prisoners
Our continued safety

Prayer:
Again, as aways, our continued wellness and safety
Availability of medications we need!

 Outside the prison - the people on the outside of the fence are visitors. That is as close as they get to their loved ones

 This picture says it all....

 The men dancing and singing.

 Another view of the prison fence

 Some of the women and their children

 Giving out soap and clothes

 Some of the women and their pamplets

 Distribution  - Roberta (in the pink shirt) is giving out clothing. I am in the background with Praise Musuka (Charles' son) on my lap.

 The women's distribution, this is the meeting area for the women.

 The men singing

We are joining in with the men - Joseph, myself and Roberta Nagel.