ELCPNG SPREADING GODS LOVE TO BUIMO INMATES

By Vicky BAUNKE

THE EVANGELICAL Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea has done it again by conducting the second confirmation blessing for 42 believers of the Buimo Correctional Service in Lae, Morobe Province recently.

The commitment, effort and willingness of Buimo Prison Chaplain and ELCPNG pastor Reverend Martin Moel made this confirmation program eventuated after completing confirmation lessons for 40 inmates and 12 family members of warders serving at thd Buimo Prison.

Rev Moel said the first confirmation blessing and baptism was conducted for 82 inmates who are Lutheran members on July 30,2023 and this year on May 18, it was the second confirmation blessing program.

He said many of the inmates at Buimo jail are Lutheran members and when he was installed as chaplin there, he did a lot of research to find out how he can work with inmates.

He said apart from his pastoral duties of preaching during Sunday fellowships and conducting other related church activities in the prison, he also personally visited inmates in their cell blocks and share God’s Word with them.

He pointed out that it was very challenging working with discipine forces and institution like Buimo prison as they have their daily schedules and their freedom to do anything on their own is controlled by the warders and it took him while to slowly get to know inmates who are Lutheran members and God did it and touch the lives of many inmates who were gang leaders in each cell blocks who changed and accepted the role as spiritual leaders.

He said these spiritual leaders played an important role in the prison and he has schedules into each cellblocks conducting fellowships, do counselling and even give communion to those inmates who already recieved their confirmation.