Naivasha Medium Security Women's Prison

So it's Thursday night here in Maai Mahiu, but it took me a whole day to process what happened when we went to the Naivasha Women's Medium Security Prison yesterday.

We went to do some outreach, bringing clothing for children and some school supplies. You may be wondering what business we had taking children's items to a women's prison. In Kenya, when a woman is incarcerated, her children go to prison with her. It's quite unbelievable to ponder that children are actually doing time along with their mothers. But then your gaze widens, and you think about Kenyan culture in a broader sense. Many of these women have children but are not married, or are no longer married. Women are disrespected greatly by the majority of men here. If women find themselves in the unsavory event of having to serve time in prison- who else would care for their children? Certainly not the man who raped them and impregnated them in the first place, or the husband and father who has abandoned his family. Truly, the best place for these children is with their mothers.

We arrived  in the afternoon, and walked through the sterile gated environment which these women see everyday. As we entered the prison yard area, the women stood and welcomed us with song. Their voices were loud and beautiful. We observed all types of women: young and old, short and tall, bone thin and more plump. They were clean, smiling, and all wearing a navy frock or pants and shirt with thin white vertical stripes. Seventy five women and twenty children live at the prison. We were welcomed very regally by the director, and she was also very kind. Her greeting of "Karibu sana", or "You are most welcome," was very sincere. She went on to say that the women at the prison, although they were serving a sentence, were dearly loved by the guards and other staff, and they were trying to teach them better ways to behave so when they are able to go out into the community, they will be successful and make better choices.

We gave candy to the kids who were there- some of the other kids were at school- but the littles were with their mamas. We left a big bouncy ball (think kickball) and a soccer ball for the older kids. We were also able to give each little child a new pair of shoes, supplies for school, and we left about 8 newborn kits- bags with a small shirt, a hat, a diaper, a burpcloth, and a blanket. Many women are pregnant when they enter jail, so they give birth while incarcerated and have nothing besides what the hospital provides. What just absolutely blows me away is that Naomi's Village does not clasp tightly to the things they are given- rather, they give out of what has been given to them- and even moreso, they give beyond what has been given to them. I mean, what kind of nonprofit gives good gifts to those in need- not simply the left overs or hand me downs that have already been used? This is one of the many reasons I love the Jesus I see in Bob and Julie so much. Their hearts are one with His- to give- to whomever has need- not just the sweet kiddos at Naomi's Village. This is Jesus' love lived here and now.

Once we were done with handing things out, Julie spoke to the women about the Gospel and the unconditional love of Jesus. The women sang beautifully again, and we were thanked most respectfully and prayed for by a young woman who had very good English skills. This led us to believe that she had previously had schooling, and she was bright. We found out that when she was in Grade 8, she stole a cell phone so she could make some money to pay her school fees. She was caught, and given 4 years in prison. This young girl was sitting next to a woman who was in jail for 5 years for abandoning her newborn child. You can see how different the crimes are, but how similar the punishments are. Mind blowing.

After the prayer of the young woman, we were invited to take a tour of the prison. The prison director showed us to a room where guards teach the prisoners how to do all types of handiwork for sale, so they will have some trades when they leave prison. There was embroidery, beadwork, crocheting, knitting- obviously, right up my alley! It was so great to see that these women were being empowered, regardless of the crimes they had committed. The prison director said that very few women return to the prison, so it seems they are doing better for themselves once their time has been served.

After we left the workshop, we were escorted to the prison director's office. There we were served the most delicious lunch! We were overwhelmed with the generosity and hospitality shown to us. Here we were, trying to serve these women and the guards who work with them, yet we were the ones being blessed. We had this amazing beef, pea, and carrot stew with the. most. delicious. chapati. I. have. ever. eaten. in. my. life. It was perfectly cooked, thin as a tortilla, and basically all around outstanding. To top it off, there was one Stoney (the best ginger soda I've ever had) and it was all mine.

The most amazing thing about this director was that she had worked in the Kenyan prison system for 23 years. That's 23 long years of loving, helping, and serving these broken women. She has only been at Naivasha for 18 months. It seems that the start of a great relationship has been formed, and it will only continue to get stronger with the identical visions of loving the unlovable and the oppressed.  Once we ate and thanked the prison director, we were back in the land cruiser, marveling at what our God has done and continues to do in Kenya. One step at a time, one child at a time, one woman at a time, standing up for what is right one by one. Kenya is changing- there is evidence all around me.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17