The very concept of blending Adults in Custody (AIC) with the Otino Waa children seems impossible at first glance. In your own mind immediate roadblocks appear in seconds. There is no blueprint for engagement to take place, unless it is God’s idea first.
“No chance at all,” Jesus said, “if you think you can pull it off by yourself.
Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.”
Luke 18:27
Truthfully, there are multiple difficulties. We have experienced many during the 17 years of prison ministry. Fortunately, overcoming those become “God stories” that He loves to create.
The first one is the Department of Corrections. You would think there would be a warm welcome to volunteers or visitors in the system. Not so much. Pre-COVID, there was an atmosphere of encouragement and appreciation for those of us who sacrificed time, talent and even $$. These days it’s a considerable effort to keep up with requirements, questionable staff abilities and short-sighted security rules. In this case, God has provided patience and reminders of Who is in charge.
But let’s get to the subject at hand. Many AIC are sponsors of the Otino Waa kids! The customized program engages them directly in communication, as the almost-forgotten skill of handwritten letters is in full force! It is always a delight to be the intermediary of these conversations.
On the creative side, there are currently over 50 artists creating multiple art forms to pass on to us to sell and add to the funding for Otino Waa. This aspect seems to grab the attention of anyone on the outside, as it leads to multiple questions and interest. This would seem impossible at first glance.
We just completed a portion of a very important endeavor. Last fall we obtained permission from the various prison locations to obtain video greetings to the kids from the AIC sponsors and artists. We now plan to get that media to Uganda to show the kids and get their responses in front of the camera, and then bring back inside prison.
This takes us to a huge, associated project. The main subject of this blog.
Visions of Hope has taken multiple teams to Uganda (Otino Waa Children’s Village) over the years, and later this month we will lead one more. We have prayed for, and thought long about, the possibility of including parolees on a team.
Yep, you read that correctly. Former prisoners to Uganda.
That desire now looks like reality, but as you can imagine there are many hurdles to cross.
We have three parolees, one male and two females who have been sponsors for many years. Their connection remains outside of incarceration, and now they desire to take things a step further – go to Uganda! The excitement is palpable, and the anticipation of great things takes on a whole new level for all of us.
But wait. You are thinking there has to be major obstacles. You already formed questions in your mind like……..
How does a parolee get a passport?
How do you get permission from a parole board?
Would Uganda allow such a thing? You must obtain a visa to enter the country. How many red flags might that raise?
And then there’s Otino Waa. Would this be OK with admin.?
These questions must be answered. Stay tuned for Part 2.