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LinksOur main coworker in Cairo is Father Monir Barsome, who is a minister and chaplain with the Episcopal/Anglican Church in Egypt, based at All Saints Cathedral in Cairo. He started the prison ministry about 10 years ago, and prepares an annual report of the ministry, which he oversees and operates in conjunction with a number of co-laborers from other local churches and denominations. Father Monir also helps the inmates upon and after their release, by putting them in touch with other ministries who can help them in their homelands. He works in conjunction with such international ministries as Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Release International, Voice of the Martyrs, Nations University, and Prison Fellowship International, to name just a few. Check out the links to these organizations: Christian Solidarity Worldwide - http://www.cswusa.com Release International - http://www.releaseinternational.org Voice of the Martyrs - http://www.persecution.com Nations University - http://www.nationsu.org Prison Fellowship International - http://www.pfi.org Christian Prisoners Support Network - http://www.cpsn.co.uk
Here are some links to Christian organizations that keep updated on important events in Egypt and especially incidents of persecution of Christians: Kamil Solomon Ministries - http://www.kimo4jesus.org One Free World International - http://www.onefreeworldinternational.org VOICE Ministries - http://www.thecatacomb.net
ArticlesThere have been a number of published articles and letters about the prison ministry, as well as about the conditions inside the prisons and the situations of the foreign inmates in particular. Below is an excerpt from a letter written by an American visitor to Kanater, the main prison in Cairo for foreigners: Prison Visiting Egyptian Style by Angela
Lucas "If we ever think about prison visiting, the picture is probably one of permits, imposing buildings, locks and keys and people seated across a table. Recently I visited a men's prison in Egypt, where none of the above applied. Along with my three friends, I arrived at the rather narrow gateway to the prison. We pushed and shoved our way in as that seemed to be the cultural way of doing things. If it were not a depressing situation, the scene could have taken on a joyous hilarity. The visitors were mainly women bringing food for their men. Huge cooking pots, still steaming with spicy smells, wicker baskets overflowing with bread, eggs, vegetables and other more dubious offerings. Frisking was something we soon found out about. Two at a time we were taken into a broom-cupboard size, black and terribly smelly room. Our visit was to see five men; all in prison for drugs related offences, and all from the African countries or Sri Lanka. They were serving a mandatory twenty-year sentence. The visiting took place in a large outdoor cage. Thirty men at a time were brought to the cage, then the visitors; mounds of food, packages, ducks and babies were taken in to join them. Unnervingly, the metal grid gate was locked and the guards watched from outside. Take away the cage and it could have been a picnic in the park. Sandwiches of brown beans were shared around. Coke appeared from under black cavernous swathes of clothes worn by the women. In talking with two of the men, they explained that they were in prison because they had made a wrong choice. Before going to Egypt they had been nominal churchgoers. Since being in prison they remembered the long ago Sunday School lessons, the lessons that had taught of God's love for them and that He had sent Jesus Christ to be their Savior, and to 'arrange' their forgiveness. They had carved out a role for themselves which included looking after new prisoners, helping them to adapt to prison life and the loss of freedom. Sixteen to eighteen men share a cell; they sleep on the floor, top to tail, with no space between. They sleep, work, study and cook in this cell. There is a daily allocation of ten pieces of bread and a bowl of lentil soup or rice. This food is supplemented by prisoner's families, or in the case of these prisoners, by Christian organizations. They also make and sell beautiful beadwork. When it was time to leave, the prisoners asked if they could pray for us. They knelt in the dirt but insisted that we sat on the bench. We all clasped hands as the men prayed openly in front of other prisoners and the guards. The other prisoners stopped talking, some joined in. We left in tears recognizing we had seen something akin to a miracle."
TestimoniesHere are some excerpts from two of the inmates testimonies that give us a clearer understanding of their situation: "B" writes: "I am Nigerian and was completing my doctorial studies in Political Economy at Punjab University in India. I needed to return home to raise funds for my final year, and at the Nigerian Embassy in New Delhi I met some friends who offered to help me with my ticket if I could deliver a package to their family. While changing planes in Cairo, I was arrested for drug possession as it turns out that some drug substance was discovered in the additional baggage, although it did not belong to me. In spite of documents and testimony from lawyers and the embassy, I found myself sentenced to 20 years imprisonment - and this news caused my father to have a heart attack and die. Alone and scared in the prison I clearly heard a voice: "You're here because you did not pay heed to my Word." Instantly I committed my life to Christ. Now I thank God for allowing me to be a prisoner - if not, I would not have found Jesus. He has shown me many insights I would not have had before. God has been my backbone, and having earned a Master's degree in Theology by correspondence course, I now plan to serve Him in the ministry after my release and return home." "S" writes: "Over these long, weary years behind bars, I have regretted my decision to follow Islam. My heart did not really accept it, but I found it difficult to leave it due to the threats attached to those who desert Islam. The good news is that not long ago (in November 2004), some of the Nigerian brothers talked to me about my need to accept Christ as my personal savior. My heart welcomed it as I have been seeking ways to do it. I prayed with them, confessing my sins and accepting Christ into my heart. Thank you so much for the encouragement you have been to me all the while. I am certain that you and others have been praying for me.. I believe that without your encouragement and prayers this could not have been possible. I am now your brother to the glory of the Lord Jesus."
If you would like to obtain a copy of some of the published articles about this Christian prison ministry in Egypt; a testimony of one of the Christian inmates; or learn more about what God is doing through TFO, contact us now:
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