Mother

Today I went to the woman's prison for the second time.  The prison is one that has about 842 woman, around 400 are foreign woman (meaning not from Brazil).  I am told the capacity of the prison is 251 so these woman are faced with a number of challenges.The organization that we go to the jail with works to help explain their legal cases to them, advocate with medical issues, and helps them communicate with their family & friends.

We met with the foreign woman today so many speak English.  As I sat in the classroom in my desk I listened to the stories the woman told.  Today every story I heard was about a Mother.  Below I have tried to capture some of the stories.  I have taken the liberty to sum up the stories in my own words and understanding.  I have tried my best to get the information correct including the country the woman come from.  However, I have to admit some of the information may be an estimate based on my memory.

"My mother is dying and I need to send money....I am so far away from her now and she needs me.  Please help me find a way to save my mothers life."  (Indonesia)

"I am so worried about my mother, she is being mistreated by my father and I am not there to help her."  (South Africa) 

News delivered to a mother today...."I am so sorry to tell you while you have been in jail your daughter has died." (Nigeria)

"My daughter Carmen lives with my mother, I miss them very much.  I love my family but they are so far away." (Mexico)

With a great deal of pride a mother showed us an email and said, "This is my son, his name is Jason." (South Africa)

"I have seven children and I am a single mother, I had to risk smuggling drugs to feed my children." (Bolivia) 

No words were spoken but a mother's tears fell on her email.  Last week we learned she had needed money for a surgery for her pregnant daughter and so she had risked smuggling drugs, she would only have to do it once to pay for the surgery.  (Texas)

 A woman who had to be 8-9 months pregnant worked to squeeze her belly into the tiny desks.  I am not sure what she was asking for, however, I assume whatever it is has to do with her baby.  What will happen to her baby when it is born in the upcoming weeks? I am told the babies do not always have family to take them in or a good place to go. I wondered how uncomfortable she was trying to sleep in the prison beds.  (Bolivia)

"I always told my children not to get involved in drugs. I am not sure why I trusted the men who told me everything would be OK if a carried their package.  When I found out it was drugs I tried to back out but I was afraid they would hurt me and my family.  I have been in prison for 3 years and during that time I have developed endurance and a self love.  I only hope that my children will learn from my mistake and have a better life.  God gets me through each day because in here God is all I can rely on." (South Africa)

Most all of the woman we talk with have been used as drug mules.  They have been arrested at the airport for smuggling drugs.   So many of the woman have chosen to carry the drugs in order to help their families.  They have been convinced that they will be fine and have felt like it was the only choice they had left.  It does not make their crime OK, but it sheds light on why someone would risk getting caught smuggling drugs.  As Heidi says, we are not the judge we are only there to reach out to the person.  We are there in order to treat them with the inherent dignity every person deserves.

Today as I reflected on the theme of Mother, I was humbled by the love of a mother.  And reminded that no matter where we are in this life our mother remains an essential  part of our lives.

So tonight I pray for all the mothers of the prisoners and the prisoners who are mothers.  I ask you to pray with me and to also thank God for the mothers in your own life.