Almost two years ago I introduced you to Geoffrey,
assistant in-house chaplain at Bugembe Prison. He gave his life to Jesus after
hearing me preach (undoubtedly following a lot of seed planting that had
nothing to do with me). After beginning skills training programs in that
prison, Geoffrey became the tailoring teacher there and did a terrific job with
his responsibilities. When Frederick, the then in-house chaplain was released,
Geoffrey became the lead chaplain and continued his tailoring teaching.
A few short months ago Geoffrey was released, having served
his two-year sentence with good behavior. He stays close to Carpenter John and
attends church with him at Bugembe Methodist Church. When asked, Geoffrey said
that he wanted to get theology training and become a real pastor. What an
amazing testimony to the wonderful things God is doing inside those prison
walls.
Carpenter John, by the grace of God, received approval to
allow Geoffrey to attend a particular school and earn a certificate in theology…at
no charge. Geoffrey is responsible for his books and school materials but he
can attend classes for free and receive a certificate upon completion. When
visiting Geoffrey recently, Carpenter John found him in a handmade mud shack by
the side of the road. If I understand correctly, Geoffrey simply found a small
space where he thought no one would disturb him and started making mud from the
ground to build a little hut.
During that same visit, Carpenter John observed that there
wasn’t a single thing in this man’s house…including food. When asked, Geoffrey
said he had no food and he had not resorted to stealing food and instead gave
God glory for his life. Last week I handed Carpenter John an embarrassingly
small shilling note and said he could use that to pay for the fuel he’d used in
taking me up to the prison and give the rest to Geoffrey. Instead John gave the
whole thing to Geoffrey so that he would not be tempted to steal.
There’s more. A few days after I gave that money Geoffrey
called. He said thank you for the money and that he chose to buy one of the
many needed books for his class rather than to buy food. People, we have got to
do something! Can’t we provide the books he needs so that whatever small money
he can scrape up with tailoring or other work can be money for food? Can’t we
believe God for even more than that? Can’t we believe him for food? I think
that even $50 total will buy his books for the term and give him a tiny bit of
money for food for one month.
Please understand that there is risk in such an investment…but
the potential reward must far outweigh that risk. Will you join me? If you’d
like to help Geoffrey become a pastor and/or eat, please click here.