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Young offenders welcome spiritual guidance
MOLDOVA — The 200 inmates of the young offenders’ institute in Lipcani, a small town close to Moldova’s borders with Romania and Ukraine, are expected to participate in a strict routine of general education and vocational training so that, on their release, they can play a positive role in society. Their spiritual development is left in the hands of the Prison Brotherhood. On a recent visit to Lipcani, representatives of this organisation took with them Bibles and biblical encyclopaedias supplied through the Interconfessional Bible Society of Moldova’s prisons project. As they enter the main building at Lipcani, visitors and inmates alike see a plaque bearing a verse which begins, “I dedicate my soul to God”. This may seem rather out of place here, but it is symbolic of the positive approach taken to rehabilitating all aspects of the lives of these vulnerable 14- to -18-year-olds. As well as furthering their education and learning a trade, the inmates grow fruit and vegetables to supply the institute’s kitchen. As their minds are opened to new possibilities, many of them also become more open to hearing God’s Word. Eager to help On their arrival, the visitors from the Prison Brotherhood were greeted by young men who were eager to help them unload the boxes of Bibles and biblical encyclopaedias from their van. This positive response continued throughout the time of preaching, prayer and singing that followed. Some welcomed the visit simply as a distraction from their usual routine, but others were clearly very moved by the message that the visitors shared. “These young men do not have Bible study sessions,” explains one of the visitors, “but some of them have come to faith and the materials we brought were accepted with genuine interest.” This report refers to project 82111. (WR 407/32 - 12.06) [2 photos] |
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