THE INSIDE OUT STORY

Tu Tangata, Issue 30, 1 July 1986, Page 62

THE INSIDE OUT STORY

OF A PRISONER ON SUNDA Y CHURCH PEOPLE

compiled by Papa uncle Ressiaano • Tu Tangata correspondent

GRATEFUL prisoner to the authorities, people don’t care how much we know, until they know how much we do care. The prisoner’s name is withheld for private reasons, however let’s call him Molokai chifia Maui, sponsor Mr Jim Millar, former salvation army missionary to India and Gisborne, now of Christchurch, a wonderful man of god. Molokai chifia Maui, he’s taken men to pieces in the past, a notorious criminal and now a man of Jesus, a Christian born again and born to win. As a Christian, Maui is free to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation, he has been set free by the spirit of the Lord. Maui says he is a free man in prison. A Christian home will open to him when he is released from prison. Sunday church parole comes from time to time at Paparua institution, way out into the wide open cactus on the main south road, 2 miles from Templeton Junction, 15 miles from Christchurch cathedral square. Sunday 13th at 10am he attends Majestic House New Life Centre, Manchester Street. A full house upstairs and downstairs, approximately 2,000 people of all nationalities. A band and a group of singers on stage, hymns were sung by the choir, grandmothers, grandfathers, mum, dad and toddlers and children. It is one of the most colourful church services Maui’s ever been too. He said it’s a league of nations faith family gathering in Jesus’ name, amen. Pastor Peter Marrow conducted the service with bread and wine, men and women participating, giving their speeches. After the service was over,

Molokai chifia Maui had the pleasure of meeting people he came to know through his Christian study programme at the prison. lan and Chris Stone, gospel singers (thou art able o God, album 1 - kids wake up its jelly beans for breakfast, album 2). Mr JackNieukirk, prison officer, a dedicated and tireless good Samaritan and ministry worker for prison fellowship, the inmates call him a dutch kiwi and speaks maori fluently. Mr and Mrs Barry Botherway, former national director prison fellowship. Also meeting members of different church groups that attend our Wednesday night prison fellowship bible study and also members of church discussion groups. Maui: “It was a lively colourful church service, wonderful friendly people of God made my day, with my caring sponsor complete. Sharing fellowship with people I came to know so well when they attend our church meeting in the prison it shows that they do care for you and me. Miracles can work wonderful things for people that have fallen on the way-side like me. My miserable life was filled with sorrow, hate, destructive. Since I began to pray & give thanks to my kind humble sponsors, father Jim Consedine, parish church Lyttleton, Rev Don Prince, senior chaplain Paparua prison, Mr van Hulten East wing divisional officer, and Major Jim Millar the salvation army social service and community family officer, now retired.” Now a friend and guiding star to Molokai chifia Maui, Mr Millar had this to say, “in the name of Jesus, let the spirit of god be loosed within him, amen.”

Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my fathers house are many mansions... kei pouri o koutou ngakau, e whakapono ana koutou ki te atua, whakapono hoki ki ahau, He maha nga nohoanga i roto i te whare o toku matua.

Kua mutu nga mihi God bless