The testimony of Johan - "uKuphula iKetanga" - how little did I know, how much these words would come to mean to me when I first walked into that hall!
“Just another group of religious freaks, who think they can change the world inside prison by visiting us for two hours a week!” – I thought.
It seems as if this is a new “in thing” to be able to brag that you visit prisoners. I stood against the wall, sceptically like a teenage boy, wanting to partake, but not knowing how and not really sure if I should.
A big smile came across the floor, straight towards me…
I looked the other way, surely the smile was not meant for me, the past months I have not experienced unconditional friendliness, didn’t know how to react.
Suddenly it stops in front of me, looking straight at me and I see it is real. I see a deep sense of dearness, no questions just empathy, an impression I will never forget!
“Hallo, would you like to join us?” I can hardly believe my ears, a request considering me and my feelings!
“Is there still someone out there who cares?
”I feel my resistance crumble, I join the group where they are singing….. To this day I have not regretted that moment.
Now, already over a year out of prison, I still have my uKuphula file with all the booklets, I often refer to it when I read something in my Bible that I remember having discussed during those lessons.
uKuphula has given me a stable foundation to build on and to refer to when ever I feel the need. Please keep up the work, be sure that you are sometimes meaning more to people than you might ever know or hope to do! _____________________________________________________________________________________
