On our way to Dedza prison today we saw a large truck that had just rolled over. The people of the village thought it was their lucky day as it was full of beer and they were going crazy removing all unbroken bottles, free of charge! For some distance after the accident we saw people carrying their loot away in a big hurry. Strangely on our way home the area was very quiet. I was a bit concerned that the people were more concerned about the loot than the driver and I sure hope no one was crushed under it as people walk and bike along the roads.
Today was another moving day as it was spent in the prison. The prisoners were no trouble, and very respectful as earlier this year in March there was a cyclone that destroyed much of their gardens which the prisoners plant and tend to and this is where most all their food comes from. So when they get visitors they are on best behaviour as visitors bring food without which they will struggle.
We took 8-50 kg bags of maize flour which, we just found out today, is enough food for them for about 2 days. One of the saddest things we saw was a few little children in the prison – they are there with their moms, so the prison is their home. The ladies share a very small courtyard. At the moment there are about 17 ladies and 2 children,, and they sleep in a room which is about 20’x10’.
Stephen Harper speaks the language (Chichewa), so he gave a message to the prisoners and Jim McMaster also preached through an interpreter, after which we sang some hymn.
After the visit to the prison we went to Dedza town and handed out gospel literature. It was so different than North America as the people were coming to us for the literature, and it was easy to run out.
We ended our day at a little restaurant called the Pottery restaurant, the food was delicious and there was a little pottery store there too with pottery made on site, which we enjoyed browsing and of course spending some kwachas!
(Sat 10th Aug. Contributed by Sheryl Payne.)