The end of April 2024 marked my tenth month in detention at Makala Central Prison in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Each day passes, leaving the impression that I will probably be free tomorrow. I do know the day I hope for will finally come, because I actually have put my hope within the Master of times and circumstances. As he says in Matthew 25:31–46, he can also be detained with me here. When he is finished with detention, he’ll lead the strategy to my freedom. My hope is built on that rock.
I used to be arrested in a legally irregular process. During the time I used to be falsely accused of calling people in my Eastern DRC region to arms, I used to be on a video (which my lawyers have submitted) promoting the Nairobi Process’ call for a cease-fire. In fact, I used to be a part of that process and I actually have long been dedicated to achieving peace and development.
After being shifted from prison to prison and eventually to Makala, I joined an Assemblies of God chaplaincy and a team of ordained prisoners who minister here with the assistance of donations and resources that we’re capable of receive.
Early on, I asked the committee about starting a literacy class within the prison because of the massive number of people that don’t know how one can read and write. The initiative caught the eye of authorities and plenty of individuals with a humane spirit.
About 100 people, men and ladies, girls and boys, at the moment are benefiting from this system, and over 50 have now learned to read, write, and calculate. One adult student said, “I never expected that I might learn how one can read and write in prison. Thank you for this initiative.” Many of those who haven’t had the chance to go to highschool are from the Kinshasa region and grew up as kuluna (street children).
When someone in jail learns how one can hold a pencil and reaches a stage of writing, reading, and calculating, I feel like singing to the Lord, the master of times and circumstances.
One child detainee asked the teacher, “Why can’t we have now this system run every single day? Learning is nice for us. It also helps me to stay busy.”
Another adult said, “Now I want a Bible that I can read for myself.”
There are Bibles that we have now successfully distributed. They make an impact not only in Bible study groups but in addition on evangelism teams. I actually have witnessed teams moving from cell to cell with Bibles, reading and sharing verses.
Besides the literacy classes, in April, we also initiated a skills training class on making soap, detergent, and disinfectant for 54 students. The teacher can also be a detainee. We are capable of use these products to assist improve our own sanitary conditions.
Other initiatives include a tree planting project, a climate change course, and a category on making paint and pigment.
A program on the theology of labor, which I teach, has also prolonged outside of the prison. One of our detained students was released weeks ago and, surprisingly, secured a latest job in the federal government. He called me to request the syllabus, saying, “I would like to make use of it to mobilize the provincial parliament members to learn and apply it.”
Another person said, “What I like about that is that you simply don’t only teach about spiritual salvation; it also touches physical needs.”
I felt very much encouraged. There are so many things to discuss, as God never stops surprising us along with his “jokes.” He makes us smile.
On the chaplains’ committee, we confront problems to unravel day by day, even when our own issues are usually not yet resolved. There are those that lack means for basic needs equivalent to clothing, food, and medicine. I actually have seen greater than a dozen individuals who needed money to resolve their legal cases. Once they were capable of provide the cash, they were freed.
In particular, I remember how a family of 5, detained for over ten months, was released and went home after we donated the vital funds.
In one other example, the director of music here at our church in Makala sat in my little room and explained his financial problem. When an answer was found, he cried with joy and said, “I actually have been singing to bless the church, and today I’m blessed too!”
Being a prisoner doesn’t make me less human. I proceed to dream, to be creative, and to be a one who can turn circumstances into opportunities. I’m made to positively impact my environment.
Grace has been mine; I actually have nice roommates, which is a blessing—we share every part, and that builds our faith, hope, and friendship.
Moreover, I pass time tending to my plant nursery within the room. I eat fruits and keep their seeds, which I put in plastic water bottles. This has also been an excellent way of procuring peace of mind.
As I tell my roommates and my theology of labor class, nature is our relative. My conversation with the environment dates way back to the Nineteen Seventies with my small shamba (farm) of potatoes. The area still carries my name, “mukwaLazaro” (at Lazare’s).
When I used to be arrested, my medicine was left behind. Later on, my medicine was brought and shown to me, but it surely was never given to me to make use of. Without that medicine, I actually have still survived, despite the fact that I experience many health issues with no appropriate medical attention. Through all these circumstances, God has been my healer and protector.
It is straightforward to be stressed with unbearable living conditions. I can think just like the apostle Paul, How come I minister to the needs of others, and yet my very own case is unresolved and my needs unmet? But my answer is already written:
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I’ll boast all of the more gladly about my weaknesses, in order that Christ’s power may rest on me (2 Cor. 12:8–9).
I feel that the work of this ministry is firm, and that it’s now time to return home.
Lazare Sebitereko Rukundwa, an Assemblies of God member, founded Eben-Ezer University of Minembwe in South Kivu, DRC. He was a civil society delegate in the course of the Inter-Congolese Peace Consultations in Nairobi. His family and the people of Minembwe await his release.
