Madrass Released

Madrass was released from prison on March 14.  There were a few clerical issues that were hindering his release.  We were able to overcome them thanks to the persistence of Paralegal Office Moses Chione.  Madrass is shown here with Pastor Charles Msukwa who was instrumental in identifying his case and will be ministering to him now that he is out of prison.  

Saukira Released

Saukira was a paralyzed prisoner that we met when we visited Malawi in June of this year.  She had to be carried around by her fellow prisoners as she did not have a wheelchair.  We provided her with a wheelchair.  We also filed an appeal to the High Court seeking to set aside her sentence due to her medical condition.  The process should have taken 3 to 4 months, but God intervened.  Thanks to the excellent advocacy of Paralegal Officer Moses Chione and Lawyer Wesley Namasala, the High Court decided to hear the case on an expedited basis.  Upon hearing her case, the High Court decided to set aside her sentence.  She was released today.  The photo above is of her and her husband.  

Visit to Ntchisi Prison

Today we traveled with the medical team to Ntchisi Prison to provide much needed medical care to the prisoners.  While the medical team saw patients, our justice team split into two groups.  Part of the team stayed at the prisons and shared the Word with them.  The other part of the team went to the local magistrate court to meet with the prosecutor and magistrate to discuss pending cases.  Through this meeting and God's provision, we were able to secure the release of Samson and Kande pictured above.  They each would have served 15 months in prison for petty offenses without our intervention.  In fact, they were in the process of being transported to the prison when we arrived at the court.   Once released, we put shoes on their feet and obtained their contact information so that Pastor Charles can continue to minister to them.  

Visit to Dedza

We had the opportunity to visit Dedza Prison. Scott Hinman and Charles Msukwa were able to share God's Word with the entire prison population while Andy Fowler and Sean St. Clair reviewed case files and met with prisoners. Dustin Schanaker, Mike Villa, Innocent Tukuwa and Moses Chione went to a remote village near Dedza to interview and follow up with a woman (and her child) who we previously assisted. It is exciting to see how God is moving!

Visit to Malawi - Tuesday, June 14

Our camp court was originally planned for Tuesday, June 14 at Maula Prison.  A camp court is a court proceeding that is held in the prison.  Judges, court staff, prosecutors, paralegals and defense attorneys are present to hear bail applications for those who have been remanded to prison, but have not yet had a trial.  In addition to the camp court, we planned to have members of our group's medical team hold a clinic in Maula for this day.  As the camp court was postponed, we needed another plan for the day.  We decided to continue with the medical clinic with our justice team spending the day at the prison worshiping and reviewing cases for fine payments and bail applications. 

We hosted a worship service in the morning with the men.  God's presence was palpable.  After worship, we broke up into small groups to hear the prisoner's stories.  We learned about their lives, how they ended up in prison, what prison life is like, what God has done in their life while in prison and what they plan to do upon their release.  I was amazed that the majority of the men I met with were thankful for their time in prison.  They said they were "sick" or not living a good lives before going to prison, but now their lives have been changed because they found Christ.

We worked on cases and worshiped with the women in the afternoon.  While we were on the women's side of the prison, two of our team members met with women who had children with them in prison to find out about their cases.  This is how our team learned about Lucy and her three year old daughter, Unity. 

Accordingly to Lucy, a mob justice incident occurred at the police station near her village.  This resulted in the police going to her village and arresting her and Unity.  Lucy claimed that Unity was in the hospital receiving a blood transfusion when the mob justice incident occurred.  We did not know it at the time, but Lucy's case would become a focal point of our work.  And, God would make the impossible possible.   

Visit to Malawi - Monday, June 13

My most recent visit to Malawi was part of a larger mission trip with my church in Chandler, The Grove.  One hundred eighteen people from The Grove were on the trip.  I led the Justice Team, which consisted of 7 people.  Due to the large mission team, we broke up into multiple traveling groups.  My traveling group arrived Sunday before the other groups who were arriving late Monday.

Monday was set aside for logistics.  The members of our team who arrived early planned to obtain supplies for our visit and for the prisons where we will be ministering.  We also planned to meet with Pastor Charles Msukwa and Paralegal Officer Moses Chione of Child Rights Advocacy and Paralegal Aid Center ("CRAPAC") to finalize our schedule for the upcoming two weeks. 

When Pastor Charles arrived at campus Monday morning, he informed us that the Camp Court scheduled for Tuesday, June 14 had been postponed until Wednesday of the following week. This posed a problem as our team was scheduled to be on a safari in Zambia that Wednesday.  I would normally be willing to stay behind, but my thirteen year old son, Andre was with me and I did not want him to miss the safari.  We decided we would discuss the issue in more detail when we met with Moses. 

After purchasing some of the supplies we went to pick up Moses from his office at CRAPAC.  Moses was not at his office.  He was at the High Court conducting a surety exam.  We found Moses at the High Court.  He said that in addition to conducting a surety exam, he was meeting with Judge President Esmie Chombo to discuss the Camp Court.  I told Moses that I preferred the Camp Court be scheduled for a day other than Wednesday, June 22 as I was not able to attend on that date. 

 Moses went back into the High Court chambers to meet with Justice Chombo to see if we could change the date while we waited outside.  I was rather out of place on the High Court grounds as I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt.  Moses returned from his meeting and informed me that the Justice Chombo wanted to meet with me to discuss the dates.  I tried to decline due to how I was dressed, but Moses was insistent so I ended up meeting with the President Judge of the High Court in shorts and a t-shirt.  The meeting was productive despite my dress.  Justice Chombo agreed to try to reschedule the Camp Court, but could not promise that it would happen.  As I will discuss in future blogs, the scheduling of the Camp Court will end up being critical to the success of an important case that our team later identifies.  

 

Kambazuma Released on Bail

Kambazuma was released on bail today after spending 3 years in prison.  We were unsuccessful on our original bail application.  However, through the effort and tenacity of Paralegal Officer Moses Chione of Child Rights Advocacy and Paralegal Aid Centre, Kambazuma's case was once again brought before the High Court during a "camp court" at the prison.  Not only did the judge grant bail, but did so on Kambazuma's own surety due to his advanced age.  Well done Moses and CRAPAC!  

Agnes and Bright Update

This photo is of the Missional Law team with mother and son, Agnes and Bright.  This is the first bail application our team prepared and filed.  They were released on bail in December, 2015, after spending 19 months in prison.  We were able to meet with them on our recent visit to Malawi.  

At the time of his arrest, Bright had just finished his third year of secondary school (high school).  He was preparing to take government exams so he could finish his final year and attend college.  Bright would like to continue his education by being readmitted to secondary school.  When asked what he wants to do for a career, he stated he wants to be a lawyer so he can help those in prison.    

While we cannot go into the factual details of their case as it is ongoing, Missional Law will be assisting in Agnes and Bright's defense as we believe the facts show they have been improperly charged.  Presently, Agnes and Bright do not have the financial resources for Bright to continue his education at secondary school.  The tuition and other costs for a year is $200.  Missional Law also needs funds to assist with Agnes and Bright's defense. 

Please be in prayer for Agnes and Bright as they continue to adjust to life outside of prison, for their case, and for Pastor Charles and Amazing Grace Christian Ministry as they continue to minister to them.   If you would like to donate to Bright's schooling or the defense of his and Agnes' case, please go to the "Take Action" page and click "Donate."   

Oliver London was released from prison on bail today.  The bail hearing was yesterday morning.  The surety examinations were yesterday afternoon.  And, we spent this morning going to various government offices to obtain the necessary signatures on the release order.

We also had a number of productive meetings with government officials to discuss the work that we are doing and how we may be able to work together.  

Finally, we traveled to Mkukula Magistrate Court to secure the release of three prisons convicted of petty offenses by paying their fines. 

 

Mataka Released on Bail

After the bail hearing on Wednesday, November 20 and the surety examinations on Thursday, January 21, Mataka has finally been released on bail.  He was in prison since 2013.  There is no indication as to when his case will go to trial.  Now he can be with his family and community while he waits.   

We had another bail hearing on Wednesday, January 20, which was continued until January 27.  Please be praying for the outcome of that matter.