Located within the Burauen Municipality Government offices, at the back of the police station is the local Jail. It is here that suspects, those recently arrested awaiting trial and those already convicted awaiting transfer are kept 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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There are up to ten people in a cell held 7 days a week 24 hours a day!

Unlike the larger facilities in Tacloban City there is no recreation yard in Burauen for the inmates to take exercise or even to stand in the sun. With the situation in the Philippines of a lack of public attorneys to process the mountains of paperwork, it is not unusual for suspects alone to be kept for up to three years awaiting trial or even a hearing from a local judge to post bail.

The problems arising from this situation are unimaginable as those
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inmates with cases pending are not included in the food budget of local government and are dependent on families for food and toiletries. Many of these families are now without income and live in far away villages and can only visit occasionally.

Added to this the dilemma that in Asia the community tends very much to disassociate itself with those inside prison, the inmates have very little hope outside. As the church Jesus has given us a mandate to go and bring the gospel to those in prison in a very practical way.

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Matt 25:35-36
35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' NKJV

Matt 25:40
And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ NKJV

The appeal here in scripture as we visit those in prison is to do it as unto the Lord Jesus Himself.

Jesus is the hope of the world for sinful man!
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Most of those held in Burauen are on murder charges, rape and drug offences and in sight of the law deserving of their punishment. But the bible teaches us that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” (1 Tim 1:15) and that “He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Heb 7:25

No where is the grace of God more apparent than in prison where we see God’s ability in bringing a lost world back into right standing with Himself through death burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. We have a message of reconciliation and the gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe! (2Cors 5 - Rom 1 16-17)

We visit on a regular basis and have run several
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Alpha courses in the facility and are able to bring food and toiletries every month. We have seen many come to know Christ in a wonderful way and trust as they serve their time in prison the relationship they have with God will provide a foundation for success when they are released into society.

We give bibles and a question and answer bible course called “getting a grip of the basics” for those interested to complete and inmates are able to tune in to our radio program each week.

Through our ministry and running Alpha we have been acknowledged by the local government authorities as part of their own program in rehabilitating inmates through spiritual and social awareness and have basically an open door to go into the prison anytime to minister. We thank God for this favour and believe we will see much fruit in years to come.