Since we were a child, I together with my siblings loves watching action movies where characters on the film acts the best as they could, and one of the characters I hate most is the antagonist or the villain, which sometimes most of us are disgust of because of their character. Criminals are people who breaks the law. If you're a murderer, thief, or tax cheat, you're a criminal. When you think of criminals, your first thought might be of someone awful like a murderer and that’s actually one of the things that scares me. Upon entering the prison, I felt myself starting to sweat — one, because it was hot, and two, I was nervous. I had never been in a prison or jail before and had an idea of what to expect from the books our class read but the prison stereotypes from the entertainment industry was what filled my mind instead this time I know in myself it’s not anymore in movies and I have to deal with it.

I was filled with gratitude for the opportunity given to me to visit them though with a little nervous, tense and uneasy but I never let it drive me. When I saw them finally I was so devastated, I couldn’t help myself but cry seeing them in their yellow shirts very uniform. Most of the prison here are mothers, as I was staring at them I thought of their children back home who needs a mother but could not do anything since they are inside, I couldn’t imagine how they were able to do such thing. I felt my heart as it slowly bleeds for the pain of their children whom they left motherless, we experienced before not having a mother on our side and it’s difficult to stand on a day unmotivated because usually it is the mothers who gave us motivation face the day confidently. Anyway back to the prison, while we were with them I then realized that my fear of being with them before was gone. I was drag by that fear that I forgot to think they are humans too, who made some actions that they thought would be better for them and for their families, not knowing first what will happen if they will push into it. After a while a lady holding a guitar went near to us and rendered as songs that she said she composed for the Lord, which made me look at them with amazement. This was my first encounter with them in the Jail.

The next days I went with Sr. Lucy, I was able to know them somehow by listening to their stories and I was also grateful for I was able share my experiences too. They were very gentle mothers whom I met there, and for now all they ask from us is prayer for their pardon. You can really feel their happiness every time we visit there, with their smiles so warm that it could melt you. Sometimes visiting the jail doesn’t always mean sadness or failure or disappointment sometimes it means hope, happiness and trust that after all everything will be alright.
For now, I missed many chances on visiting the prison since I am task to attend the feeding we have in two schools. During Monday to Wednesday I am in Looc Elem. School and since Sr. Lucy does her mission in the jail while I will be in her place in Cantil-e Elem School and go back to Looc Elem. School by Friday.        

Over all my experience inside the prison has taught me so many things, it taught me how essential freedom is for everyone and I realized that they are just like me. We are all broken sinners in need of redeeming grace. None of us is a statistic to the One who leaves the 99 to seek out the one lost sheep. After all they were just people with struggles and hopes and the potential to change their lives. Let us continue for their total conversion and pardon for what they have done in the past.
These are some of the pictures during our first visit, together with were the Lawyers Ma’am Glenda and Ma’am Cha, Sr. Lucy and the girls Em Em and Rhea.

Maria Josepha

        Published: December 27, 2019