Last month M-1 Ministries sent an email to our supporters on our email list requesting prayer and guidance over a very big ministry opportunity. Amazing Grace Prison Ministries (headed by our friend Charles Msukwa) informed us that Maula Prison here in Lilongwe, which houses over 2400 prisoners, had no access to reliable water. The prison is completely dependent upon the local water board which is less reliable than the local power company. The water company in Lilongwe routinely looses water for hours each day and some water outages have lasted over a week at a time. That's an entire week of absolutely no water for over 2400 men, women, and children (the women who are nursing are able to keep their children with them).
The prisoners in Maula can be placed in the prison for any number of offenses both minor and major. We know of some who are in prison (or awaiting trial) for stealing food. 1200 of the men have been convicted and over 1000 are still awaiting trial. Here is a New York Times article that shows some of the story of Maula and other prisons: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/06/international/africa/06prisons.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
In His perfect way the Lord already had Jeremy working with Clean Water for Malawi which raises money to place water wells in villages all across Malawi who have no access to clean water. God provided that Clean Water and Amazing Grace would work together to accomplish His work in Maula Prison. We sent out an email explaining the need and our supporters responded in a mighty and God- glorifying way! The desire was to raise enough money to provide Maula with two wells on the property. Not only did God provide the money for both Maula Prison wells but he also provided money for an additional water well! That's 3 water wells that will be placed thanks to the Lord's guidance in the hearts of our friends and family. To God be the glory!!!
We knew immediately where the third water well would need to be placed. Please read the story of Mphatso and Justice who are just a few days from traveling to the States for reconstructive surgery in San Diego via Fresh Start Surgical Gifts. (We will update on that story soon.) But we realized when we visited Mphatso's village that they had no water well and were using a hand dug well for access to water. Now Clean Water will place a water well in Mphatso's village as a result of the Lord moving in a mighty and powerful way! To God be the glory!!!
Yesterday Jeremy went out to the Maula Prison with Charles to meet with the prison officials and plan the two sites for the water wells. Below are some of the pictures:
Charles Msukwa (Amazing Grace Prison Ministries) is on the left and the facilities manager for Maula Prison is in the middle.
The proposed site for the first water well at Maula
The men of the prison working to cook the daily portion of nsima given to the prisoners
Maula Prison grounds
Above is the site where the women of Maula cook. There are approximately 200-300 women in Maula and their nursing babies. The second well will go here.
Visitors day at the prison
Praise God for His provision for Maula Prison! Praise God for the sacrifice of those who supported the water wells and the ministry of Clean Water and Amazing Grace. Praise God that he has placed our family in this amazing ministry where we can see first hand His work and His power. To God be all glory, honor, and praise!
"For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your names as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward."
