The Bible brings hope behind bars

  

 

Zenzo Matokazi is a prisoner at Leeuwkop maximum security prison and got to know God through ministry work done among the prisoners.

Zenzo said, “Without the Word of God, I would be lost. It constantly reminds me of what I should be doing and it comforts and encourages me. Formerly, my life was empty and I did not know what my purpose in life was, but now I know. I did not believe in anything, just in myself. After becoming a child of God, I became content thanks to the good news of Jesus Christ. I know the truth and strive to live according to the Word of God in whichever way possible so that I do not stumble.”

Through its project, Bibles for prisoners, the Bible Society has helped to provide Bibles to people like Zenzo for many years already. The Department of Correctional Services’ Spiritual Care directorate and other organisations that focus on prison ministry follow a rehabilitation programme that focuses on the specific needs of the prisoners and the Bible is an integral part of the programme.

A prisoner receives a Bible, among other things, for use in individual pastoral or group sessions as well as for church services.

The Bibles that are made available to the prisoners annually, is just a drop in the ocean, but it is still necessary, because the message of the Bible can help to change lives. The Bible contributes to the rehabilitation process and encourages prisoners to live a crime-free life once they have served their sentences. 

 

Pray for:

• every prisoner that will receive a Bible of his/her own thanks to Bible-a-Month contributions
• sufficient funds so that Bibles can be made available to prisoners
• all the spiritual workers that help with the rehabilitation of prisoners.