Prison Ministries Rising in Malawi After Political Turmoil
Chuck Colson has passed into glory, but prison ministries continue their work in the U.S. and beyond. One of those prison ministries is Crossroad Bible Institute (CBI).
In April, the Malawian government withheld details about President Bingu wa Mutharika’s death for two days, sparking fears that the reigning political party would circumvent the constitution to bring in a new president.
In this chaotic environment, CBI is giving prisoners biblically based studies and steadfast support from the church. Two campuses have been opened, with Wale Junaid directing CBI Malawi North and Platwell Dindi overseeing CBI Malawi South.
“Most of the prisoners have no one and have never known real love. But God has them in a good place for His touch of mercy,” says Dindi. The government granted permission for the CBI program to be introduced in many Malawian prisons.
Still, obstacles to improvement are significant: Malawi is considered one of the least developed countries in the world, with low life expectancy, high infant mortality and a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Overcrowded prisons, some at more than 200 percent capacity, are plagued by unsanitary conditions, and the judicial system is corrupt and understaffed.
“Like other CBI satellites across the globe, these campuses offer the hope and dependability of the gospel in the midst of political uncertainty, broken judiciary systems and inhumane prison conditions,” says H. David Schuringa, president of CBI.
CBI just launched two new satellite campuses in Malawi in the midst of the recent unrest following the president’s death. Of 17 CBI satellites
