by Marty Martin
Hola!
The time in these prisons was sobering. The people there often have no hope as many have very long sentences. We met men and women who were incarcerated for murder, assault, infanticide, drugs, and even not paying their taxes.
The Oasis church that we partner with is amazing! People took time off from work to transport us, translate, cook lunches, set up chairs and even fans. One 24-year-old young man in the church, Hector, took 4 days of his vacation time to work as part of the team. My translator, Giovana, is an amazing lady (far left in the photo) who can really communicate Jesus to others. One young man poured his heart out to her about his loneliness and pain in prison.
The first prison we went to was a women's prison of moderate security. There was more "hardness" in the women there, but some melting as they spent time with our Oasis spiritual counselors. The men the next day seemed to have fewer barriers, more smiles and more 'thank yous' afterward. Giovana and I offered to pray with every patient and the answer was always "claro!" One man even prayed for us instead!
The last day we spent at a minimum-security prison, no barbed wire, which was home to mainly inmates over the age of 60, so I did a lot of geriatrics that day! My first patient of the day was 85 years old. My only "pediatric" patients that day were 34 and 36 years old. One was Humberto, in prison for stealing from a drug dealer, but he had just graduated from a university with a law degree, which he proudly showed me. He has gotten involved with an onsite church since his incarceration. Another patient there was a young guard in his 30's who became a Christian when he was 15 and is now discipling his nephews. Giovana and I prayed for him and his family, and he left us with some tears and much encouragement. 
I wish we had more time to hear the stories of these prisoners and be able to communicate more about Jesus with them.
Thanks so much for praying. My next GHO trip to Cambodia is coming soon in mid-February. I count on your prayers for that team as well.
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