Today was a crazy busy day for us in Port de Paix… this was the largest group I’ve ever brought with me to the prison and it went amazingly well. I had an entire team of nursing students (led by our summer medical intern) go to do clinic for the prisoners… the first they’ve had since the fall. I also had a couple of other friends tag along who have joined me before and are interested in both the prison and brothel ministries. One of our “misc team”, Paul Olsen, was kind enough to lead a devotion with each of the cells and I got to introduce my son and his wife to everyone too! There are now over 335 prisoners in 9 “regular” cells plus a few that sleep in the sewing cell in a few in the “sick cell”. Katelyn had her work cut out for her handing out soap, batteries, condiments and playing cards today. Busy… but AWESOME.
The most exciting part of the prison today was that the men and women had been ministering to the new prisoners that had come into their cells while I was away… The men had a small group of “new guys” that they had shared the Bible with and who were now ready to accept Christ. I had the privilege of leading them in that prayer of salvation. Paul led a couple of new boys in the “little boys cell” in that prayer as well. The women had a new lady that has already accepted Christ and is waiting for us to baptize her… How cool is that?!? They are doing it… being the church… regardless of their circumstances, sharing the love of Christ with each other in such an unlikely place. Love it. Their one big request today (not on my list of collected supplies of course…) was new Bibles and song books. Time to put it a new order…
We had a great visit at the brothel today too. It was so fun to be able to give Papa Yo the school uniforms and the (first wave) of school supplies for the boys! We had a great small group time with the brothel girls before inviting the boys to join our circle to do our worksheets on the names of God we had prepared. We also ended up with five or six random men that had been hanging around join us too… pretty funny (and sweet) to see these “tough guys” getting in line for pens and pencils and trying to be the first to finish their crossword puzzles.
Today reminded me just how much I love my sweet friends and why I do what I do here. A much needed boost! 
It was such an honor to be a part of that day and help make a little difference in the prisoner’s lives hopefully.
Rachel Porter (Nursing Group)