"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners,

and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."

after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

Brenda Cox spearheaded the Prison Ministry of ECC in partnership with the Hong Kong Christian Kun Sun Association Ltd. and several Christian churches here in Hong Kong.

Since 2006 ECC has been ministering to English speaking inmates in the following correctional institutions: Chi Ma Wan, Chi Sun and Lai Chi Kok.

The following are inspiring highlights of those involved in the Prison Ministry:

2006

Fe Hernandez - ECC

"The prison ministry is a great privilege for me to share the love of Christ and the freedom through His Spirit that I have been enjoying. It is indeed an avenue to give bountifully what Christ has done for me and I believe that these are the least that I can do for the prisoners in Chi Ma Wan Correctional Institution - visit them, listen to their burdens, identify with their longings and most of all bring them closer to Christ and pray for them.

May I share with you some excerpts from a letter from one of the prisoners in Chi Ma Wan:

"Dearest Sis. Fe,

Greetings to you in the holy name of our Almighty God Jesus Christ...I've just written to let you know how grateful I am for sparing your time with us. Thank you. May the Lord bless you and all your fellow people in church for remembering us. In your presence we do feel that we are not forgotten. I feel the love and care you wanted to share not only for me but for all of us who are now in times of difficulties. I want to thank you more for feeding me spiritually as I compare myself to a toddler who is very hungry for the words of God. I am so sorry for myself to find the love of God very late. But there's a saying that ‘late is better than nothing at all'.

I wish to grow more and more spiritually. Now I live in peace and I am trying my very best to live according to the word of God. Please pray for me to have enough patience and courage to finish these difficulties of my life. But I'm not sorry for being here because in this isolated island called ‘Chi ma wan' I found the very precious treasure that anybody can get - ‘the love of God'.

We all pray for the peace around the world. May the people find the love of God as I did. Again thank you very much Sis. Fe.

Walive"

The Chi Ma Wan Correctional Institution Visitation Team: Riza, Kumari, Fe, Madeline & May.
			Preparation of Christmas Gifts at ECC Office in Wan Chai last December 19, 2006
December 19, 2006 Christmas Gift Giving for Chi Ma Wan Correctional Institution with Fe, Riza, May, Connie & Chi carrying the gifts.

2007

"During our second and third visit it was more relaxed and comfortable. It's amazing how God is working in their lives and our lives too. This ministry is life changing exposure for me as it gave me freedom to spend time with them, listen to their stories, dance and sing with them; pray for them and of course cry with them. The most overwhelming part was listening to their testimonies as most of them came to know Jesus Christ inside the prison while others renewed their relationship with God and are now inspired to teach and share what they have learned to their families. The saddest part was saying goodbyes but I feel comforted as I remember them in my prayers that they are now children of God.

Sometimes we need to be in places where we can be broken and desperate before God. My times with them brings me back to realize that I was once a prisoner but freed through the blood of Jesus Christ. Let's make a difference in the lives of the prisoners remembering that Jesus Christ is with us!!!" Janice Comnang - ECC

"My job during the visit was to share the Gospel to the newly admitted inmates as my colleagues were to lead the Bible Study. It's been a joy to pray for those ladies who are confused and heavily burdened, lonely and neglected. Our hugs, smiles, listening ears and prayers eased their loneliness even for a short time and it was very hard for us to leave them. The Lord has enabled me to share the Good News to an African lady and she prayed to receive Christ as her Lord and Savior and we rejoice with the angels for her decision. I remember the sermon of Ptr. Kevin Sheehan who told us that God uses small things to do big or great things. Imagine, I did not have to go to Africa to reach that lady with the Gospel. They are right here in our neighborhood." Bea Tomilas - ECC

"Sharing the pain with the inmates means taming the tongue, listen more than talk, not judging or even offer unsolicited advice. This is what I've learned when I visited Chi Ma Wan." Tina Gawading - ECC

ECC Filipino ladies in partnership with Evangelical Free Church of China ladies in the Chi Sun Visitation Ministry.

2008

"It has been more than two years now since I started joining the Prison Ministry in Chi Ma Wan and Lai Chi Kok Correctional Institution and I consider visiting the inmates as one of the highlights of the ministry God has given me here in Hong Kong for which I am very thankful to the Lord.

Visiting the prison may not be that inviting but it gives me a sense of fulfillment to share a part of my life as we study God's Word, listen to their struggles and pray for comfort for their brokeness.

It gives me joy to see them smile when they see us come and find time to laugh together during the discussion of lessons and sharing their daily experiences while awaiting for their day of release.

Also it gives me privilege to be able to comfort them as we cry together remembering how the Lord has rescued them from where they fell. And now that they have Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior we also share tears of rejoicing for God's love, grace and mercy.

My prayer is that someday the Lord will allow me to see and hear from those who have been touched and nurtured in the Prison Ministry that they are now serving as spiritual multipliers as they go back to their homelands.

And I will not be surprised if one day the Lord will answer my prayer and will be receiving emails/cards from Africa, South America and Philippines." Fe Hernandez - ECC

"I was so blessed along with the inmates of Michelle Jang's sharing of her older brother's life. God uses broken and frail vessel to testify most beautifully His Almighty and Power.These group of inmates have been coined the name "Butterflies" as we are looking at the amazing transformation of lives through God's Word by his Truth and Spirit." Angela Wong - RBC Ministries

"God moved me so deeply as I heard the deep weeping of some of the ladies. I cannot imagine the sorrow they feel to be separated from loved ones at Christmas.

It was an honor and a privilege to work with the ladies to send family members Christmas greetings and gifts to their children. I feel such joy to think of the delight of the little ones when they receive something from their mommy.

God's Word is most comforting. We share hope in the message of Christ's birth. Thank you for praying for us and the sisters." Michelle Jang - ECC

Schedule of Prison Visits:

CHI SUN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (women)

303 Chi Ma Wan Road
Lantau Island
Every 4th Sundays of the month from 2:30 pm to 4:30pm

LAI CHI KOK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (women)

5 Butterfly Valley Road
Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon
Every 2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month from 3:30pm to 6:00pm

For more information, please contact Michelle Jang by email, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by telephone, 27964704.