One has repented, another has been born again, and yet another wants to become a pastor.
These are all inmates of Chikurubi Maximum, Female and Prison farms. They were among 300 prisoners recently baptised at the prison complex after being ministered to by Zaoga Forward In Faith, Pastor Tom Deuschle’s Celebration Church and other Christian denominations.
In all, 230 inmates were baptised from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, 90 from the Farm Prison, and 10 from the Female Prison. Milton Gumbo (49) of Zhombe, who was convicted of fraud, said, “I feel different now that I have been baptised,” adding that he had spent much time thinking about his life and what he had done wrong.
“I have changed from what I used to be, I have opened a new page and I am convinced that God has forgiven all my sins.
“Money went missing at work. I stole the money that is why I am here,” he said.
Chikurubi Farm Prison inmate, Edson Chikwenya (33), said he never believed in the existence of God but through Bible study and sermons from prison chaplains, he decided to be born again.
“I am at peace even if I am still here. My things are moving well and I am certain that I made the right decision to be baptised.
“During my ‘free’ life I was a thief, I was convicted for unlawful entry and theft.
“I can safely confirm that I was dangerous even to my family.
“I am glad that I met Christ here. Now I’m looking forward to go out and also preach the word of God to my fellow friends and family in Mbare,” he said.
Chikwenya will be released on June 18, 2017.
A female inmate, Patience Mbareme (33), who was jailed for theft, said she had reformed.
“A number of people view (jail) as a horrible place, but I must say this place is ideal for people like me, it has helped me to reform.
“I was a violent person but ever since I came here pastors and chaplains never quit on me.
“I was fed with the Word of God and today I was baptised signifying a new start to life,” Mbareme said.
“This is indeed a correctional service and even after serving my jail term I will remain a Christian. My husband and children will be happy to hear that I accepted Christ to be my personal saviour,” she added.
Spiwe Simango (25), who is serving eight years for robbery, said she was wanted to become a pastor.
“It’s true, jail experience is hard, but when you are in Christ Jesus, He carries the burden. We used to operate as a gang of three, stealing Zesa copper cables and sometimes robbing people. I came here on August 23 and I will be out in 2023.
“Now that I am baptised it means my ministry has already started. My burning desire is to become a pastor and I will fight hard to pursue that dream,” said Simango.
Quoting 1 Corinthians 5:17, Celebration Church prison ministry leader and guest of honour Pastor Winnie Kanoyangwa said to the inmates, “The decision that you have taken has nothing to do with denominations; what matters is that you are now new creatures.”
She said they were preaching to inmates in fulfilment of the words of Jesus, who said: “I have come to set the prisoners free,” adding “God will cleanse you of your sins and send His Spirit to you.”
Pr Kanoyangwa assured inmates that God loved them despite their status, and that there was no sin Christ could not forgive.
Pr Noah Zimbeva said, “Pastors from different churches regularly visit this place teaching and preaching the word of God. Today we are celebrating the fruits of our labours.”
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Provincial Chaplain for Harare Metropolitan, Reverend Superintendent Gift Chirara, commended churches for complementing Government’s efforts to reform inmates.
Rev Supt Chirara said the church’s work of reforming inmates was necessary as it filled a void left by corrective measures by the prisons services.-zimpapers
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